North Eastern Daily Gazette, Friday, May 29, 1896.
SPORTS AND PASTIMES.
MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL AND ATHLETIC COMPANY LIMITED.
Yesterday the annual meeting of the shareholders was held in the Oddfellows
Hall. Mr R. Forrester presiding.-- The annual report, read by the secretary (Mr Winney)
stated that the directors were glad to be able to congratulate the shareholders on
the result of the past season. The standard of play shown by the first team had undoubtedly
not been up to the level of that in the two previous seasons. A series of accidents
to players, coupled with the loss of the services of several sterling players, were,
however, sufficient to account for the display being less brilliant than the had
been accustomed to look for. In spite of those drawbacks they could congratulate
the team on being the holders of the Cleveland Senior Cup. In the course of that
competition they gave glimpses of what they could do when thoroughly roused, and
it was not too much to say that had they maintained throughout the season the form
displayed against Darlington and South Bank the English and Northern League cups
would still have been theirs. Out of 43 matches played they won 18, lost 13, drew
12, and scored 90 goals against 86. The reserve team won 25 matches, lost 5, drew
5, and scored 94 goals against 36. They finished the season in worthy style, and
were now the holders of the Cleveland Amateur Cup. The balance-sheet showed a profit
on the season of £158 17s, and forfeited shares £64 3s. Which had been applied to
the reduction of the debit balance, which now stood at £121 16s 10d.-- The report
and balance-sheet were adopted and Messrs R. Forrester, W. Cotton, E. Johnson, and
R.W. Williams were re-elected directors.
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