1891-92
North-Eastern Daily Gazette, Tuesday May 31 1892.
Football.
THE MIDDLESBROUGH CLUB.
PROPOSED FORMATION INTO A LIMITED LIABILITY CONCERN.
The annual general meeting of the members of the Middlesbrough Football Club
was held in the Oddfellows Hall, Middlesbrough, last evening. Mr J. V. COOPER presided,
and said they all knew by that time that the question of amalgamation had fallen
through. (Applause.) The committee, however, had an alternative scheme which would
be submitted for their consideration. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,
which were taken as read. -- Mr DAVID CADDICK seconded -- THE SECRETARY (Mr A. Borrie)
then detailed the circumstances of the failure of the amalgamation negotiations as
published in the North-Eastern Daily Gazette on Friday last. The Secretary intimated
that after the failure of the amalgamation proposals the committee met, and with
a view to beating the Nops at their own game the following scheme was drawn up for
the consideration of the members:-- “That in the opinion of this general meeting
of the members of Middlesbrough Football Club it is advisable that the club should
be conducted on limited liability principles, and the present club wound up. That
in order to carry the foregoing resolution into effect this meeting be adjourned,
and that the present executive continue in office, and that they be invested with
the following special powers:-- (1) To call a meeting of the members and supporters
of the club for the purpose of promoting and forming a company under the title of
the Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Company, Limited, or such other name as may
hereafter be agreed upon, to take over the entire assets and liabilities of the present
club and to work and carry on the same. (2) To do all acts and to negotiate contract,
and arrange with such proposed company for the due carrying out of those resolutions.
That the executive be asked to do all in their power to secure, meantime and as early
as possible, first-class players for next season, and also to arrange first class
matches.” -- Mr M. NELLIS enquired whether the English Association would allow two
limited liability concerns in one town. -- Mr BORRIE said that they had already done
so in the case of the two Newcastle clubs. -- Mr THOMAS said he had it from good
authority that the present field would not be required for building purposes for
at least five years. (Loud applause.) -- The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the scheme
-- Mr DODDS seconded. -- The report and balance sheet were adopted, as was also
the scheme, there only being one hand held up against it. Mr BORRIE said that the
club in conjunction with Payne, of London, were going to hold a monster gala in the
club’s field during the Yorkshire Show, and hopes were entertained that it would
be a great success (Loud applause.) -- In answer to a question, Mr Borrie said that
it was proposed that the share capital should be £2,000 in £1 shares, but they did
not think that more than 10s would be called up during the first year, 5s on allotment,
5s later. Papers were then handed round, and on their being collected again the CHAIRMAN
announced that promises had been made to take up 302 shares. (Applause) He thought
that spoke well for the interest that the members took in the welfare of the club.
-- Mr SEDGWICK pointed out that many had intimated that they would take one or more
shares. As soon as the Durham strike was ended they would be in a better position
to say haw many shares they would take up. (Applause.) -- It was decided to adjourn
the meeting until June the 13th, the meeting terminating amid enthusiastic cheering.
North Eastern Daily Gazette, 14 June 1892.
Football.
----- * -----
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE
MIDDLESBROUGH CLUB.
The Co-operative Hall, Corporation-road, Middlesbrough, was packed last night
by the members and supporters of the Middlesbrough Football Club, the occasion being
the conversion of the club into a limited liability concern. -Mr J. V. Cooper presided,
and Mr Borrie stated that since the annual general meeting of the members of the
club the committee had done their utmost in the way of securing new players, and
had been most successful. Galbraith of Dumbarton, an inside right forward; Abraham,
an inside left forward; James Gibson, centre forward, had been signed on, and with
their old players he thought they would have the making of a very fair team. Stott,
of South Bank, had also been signed on, and Dawking, late West End (Newcastle) was
available as a reserve full back. The committee were in negotiation with a grand
right half back, and felt certain of securing his services. (Applause) He intimated
that from the English Association’s and a legal point of view there would be no difficulty
in naming the new concern the Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Company, Limited,
and so far as the Middlesbrough Owners were concerned, they had no objection to transferring
the lease of the ground to the new company. (Applause) It was proposed that the capital
should be £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares, and that all shareholders should have a vote
for every share they held. The Board of directors to consist of twelve shareholders,
six to be selected by the committee and a like number by that meeting. He wished
it to be distinctly understood that a person was only liable for the number of shares
he might take up. For instance, if anyone took one £1 share he was only liable to
pay that sum and nothing more. -- Mr COTTON: Do I understand that a man who has,
say fifty shares, has fifty votes. -- Mr BORRIE replied that that was so. It had
been suggested that they should limit the number of shares a person might take up,
but it was for that meeting to decide what should be done. -- Mr COTTON thought for
a person to have a share for every vote would be most unfair to those who were not
in a position to take up many shares. (Applause.) -- The CHAIRMAN said he agreed
with Mr Cotton, and though the difficulty would be met by deciding that a person
have a vote for every share up to ten, and a vote for every five shares above that
number. (Loud applause.) -- The committee agreed to this proposition, and it was
carried as were also resolutions forming the company. -- Mr Borrie said the committee
had decided that the share capital should be called up as follows:-- 5s on application,
5s on allotment (Aug. 15), 5s on 31st March, and the balance within two months from
that date if necessary. Members of the club who became shareholders before August
15 would have the privilege of getting a season ticket this year for 2s 6d. He pointed
out that the twelve directors first appointed would have to retire at the end of
four months -- in answer to Mr Marston as to what consideration was going to be made
to guinea ticket-holders, the CHAIRMAN said those holding such tickets had experienced
greater comfort at matches than previously, and he did not see that they were entitled
to any more consideration at the hands of the club than were the 7s 6d ticket-holders.
They would each have 5s knocked off their tickets for next season if they became
shareholders. -- It was stated that the committee had appointed the following six
from their number to act as directors:-- Messrs F. Hardisty, Bateman, R. Forrester,
R. Dodds, D. Caddick, and F. Bach. Ballot papers were issued for the voting for eight
gentlemen nominated , with the result that Messrs J. Soulsby, J.R. Smiles, W.H. Thomas,
Jno. Creasor, T. Buck, and Geo Marshall were elected; Messrs W. Fleming and Jno.
Watson were not elected. -- The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the appointment of Mr A. Borrie
for the office of secretary, said that gentleman by his unassuming manner and business
abilities, had endeared himself to all who knew him. (Loud applause.) He had every
confidence in submitting his name, and thought he was a gentleman of whom any club
in the country might be proud. -- The motion was unanimously carried amid great enthusiasm.
We understand that the half-back referred to last night by Mr Borrie was Bob
Roberts, late captain of the Bolton Wanderers, and several times captain of the Welsh
International, who is reported to be in as good form as ever. He is one of the fastest
half-backs in England, although he scales 14½ stones. He signed on for the new company
today. He will, in all probability, be appointed captain and coach to the team in
consideration of his unrivalled knowledge of the game.
