North Eastern Daily Gazette, Saturday, May 25, 1895.
SPORTS AND PASTIMES.
MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB - ANNUAL MEETING,
The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Middlesbrough Football
Club was held last night, Mr R. Forrester presiding over a good attendance. -- Mr
ALBERT BORRIE read the directors’ report, in which it was stated that the result
of the year’s working had been most satisfactory, both as regards the actual performances
of the teams and financially, indeed they were even better than during the preceding
season, when the results were exceptionally good. The directors were very proud indeed
to have to report on the excellent play of the first team. A brilliant list of victories
were recorded, including the winning of the English Amateur Cup, and also the Northern
League championship, the latter for the second season in succession. These were very
substantial and handsome testimonials to the ability of the team, and the winning
of a national football trophy an event unprecedented in the history of the North.
The record for the season was 45 matches played, of which 28 were won, 8 lost, and
9 drawn. The goals scored numbered 130, with 54 against. It was trusted that these
performances had given complete satisfaction to every shareholder. The Reserve team
had also been remarkably successful, as in addition to playing in the final for the
Cleveland Amateur Cup, they won the Tees-side League championship with something
in hand. Only one reverse was recorded against them in this competition. Their record
for the season stands -- games played 32, won 27, drawn 2, and lost 3. Goals for
123, against 29, an average of over 4 goals to 1 in their favour. The directors,
fully appreciating the great services which the players of both teams had rendered
to the club, had invited them to a complimentary dinner, at which will be presented
the trophies won by the teams, also gold medals which the directors are presenting
to the first team as a memento of their consistent good form in again winning the
Northern League Championship. The dinner is fixed for Thursday at the Albert Park
Hotel at 6:45, and it will be gratifying to the directors if the shareholders are
present in large numbers, and assist them in rendering the affair as great a compliment
to the players as possible. Turning to the financial working, they were pleased to
say the receipts for the season had considerably exceeded the expenditure. The receipts
at matches (less the amounts paid to visiting teams) showed an increase of £215,
a very substantial and welcome addition. On the other hand, the expenses had increased
£54, and the amounts received from subscriptions were rather less. The net result,
however, was that an actual profit accrued on the season’s work of £125, as against
£26 the preceding season, whilst the outstanding liabilities were reduced by £200.
Mr A. Borrie had resigned the secretary ship, and the directors had appointed Mr
H. W. Winney, 38, Palmerston-terrace, to the position, Mr J. Robson to be match secretary.
They took over their duties from that day. -- On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, the
financial statement and report were received and adopted. -- Mr W.H. THOMAS expressed
his great satisfaction at the splendid results attained by both teams. He knew he
would be expressing the feelings of those present when he alluded to the fitting
termination of the year by the winning of the English Amateur Cup by home-bred talent.
(Applause.) He drew attention to the recommendation of the auditor re unpaid calls
on shares, and asked what the directors had decided to do.-- The CHAIRMAN explained
that no action had been taken as yet, because the directors had not met as a full
board since the receipt of the auditor’s report. The recommendation of the auditor
would be considered at the first meeting of the full board.-- The meeting re-elected
Messrs F. Bach, Dobinson, Dobson, and Smiles as directors for three years. Mr A.
Glover and Mr E. Johnson were elected directors vice Mr Winney and Mr Watson resigned.
Mr Hynd was re-elected auditor.-- On the motion of Mr A. McCALLUM, seconded by Mr
BUCK, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Borrie for his services to the club.
