The Dark Days of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Illegal Players, Arranged Games, Illegal payments, Bribes to the Opposition, Winding-up of the Club, Unauthorised postponement of a match.

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Wednesday 16 November 1910.

 

THE MIDDLESBROUGH SEAT

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Ald. T. Gibson Poole to be

Prospective Candidate

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O F   T H E   U N I O N I S T   P A R T Y.

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    On Monday evening next, at the Conservative Club, at 8 o’clock, a meeting of the members of the party will be held to endorse the adoption of Alderman T. Gibson Poole as prospective Unionist candidate for Middlesbrough at the ensuing General Election.

    By reason of his active business life, his long association with the civic life of the town, his honourable career as an officer of the volunteer forces, and his success as the guiding spirit of the Middlesbrough Football Club, Lieut.-Col. T. Gibson Poole, the newly-adopted standard bearer of the Unionist party is one of the best known men in Middlesbrough.

    He has only just completed his second year of office as Mayor of the Borough, a position which prevented his taking an active part in the last political contest and in appreciation of the manner in which he discharged his Mayoral duties the Council on November 9th elected him to the Aldermanic bench to fill a vacancy caused curiously enough by the retirement of Sir Samuel Sadler, a gentleman who has represented the Unionists of Middlesbrough in Parliament, and taken part in many a stirring contest in years past.

    Lieut-Colonel Thomas Gibson Poole V.D.. was born at Dudley, his father being a well-known contractor in that important “Black Country” town.

    Later, the family came to Middlesbrough, and the Unionist candidate, after receiving education at Middlesbrough, Stockton, and Whitby, was apprenticed to the watch-making trade with Mr H. Soppett, Linthorpe-road, and on the retirement of the latter, in 1891 he acquired the business, which he conducted with conspicuous success until his retirement from business a short time ago.

    In 1896 Lieut.-Colonel Poole entered the lists in the Cleveland Ward, and heading the poll, was returned as the ward’s representative on the Town Council, a post which he has since retained continuously.

    Lieut.-Colonel Poole is chairman of the Ferry Committee, a post to which considerable importance attaches at present owing to the fact that this committee has control of the work of the new transporter bridge, and he has also been further honoured by his colleagues, who selected him as one of the Council’s representatives on the Tees Conservancy Commission -- one of the most important and coveted posts in the gift of the Corporation.

    He became a member of the 1st North Riding Volunteer Artillery, and gradually rose from Gunner to Colonel of the regiment, and received the long service decoration. He is a prominent Freemason, and is a Past Master of the Orde-Powlett Lodge, and Past Provincial Grand Officer for the charity representation of the same lodge.

    It is, perhaps, needles to dwell on the interest that Councillor Poole has at all times taken in clean, healthy sport, for all those interested in athletics, as a whole, know of the valuable assistance and the encouragement he has given sports’ organisations in the district from time to time.

    He is chairman and the first president of the Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Co., Ltd. His career has been a successful and honourable one, and by his good fellowship and kindly nature has earned for himself many warm friends, not only in the Cleveland district, but the whole of the North of England.

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North Eastern Daily Gazette, Monday 5 December 1910.

COL.  POOLE’S  “GOOD  OMEN.”

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Eve-of-Poll Rally of Unionists at Middlesbrough.

O V A T I O N    T O    T H E    C A N D I D A T E,

 

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Sir T. Wrightson Says Liberals Distrust the People.

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    The Unionists concluded their campaign in Middlesbrough on Saturday night with a mass meeting in the Temperance Hall, over which Councillor Charles Dorman presided, supported by Colonel and Mrs. Poole, Sir Thomas Wrightson, and many of the local leaders of the cause.

    The hall was not filled, but the meeting was of an enthusiastic character, and the voting showed an over whelming majority in favour of the vote of confidence which was submitted at the close.

    The meeting was attended by the Borough football players, who were accorded an enthusiastic reception, and several of the speakers, including the Chairman and the candidate, made appreciative references to their success against Sunderland.

    “This meeting,” said Councillor Dorman in his opening address, “is called in support of Colonel Poole’s canditure, and is, of course, strictly political, but I think I may be allowed to lapse for one moment to congratulate Colonel Poole on the crowning triumph achieved by the Borough team to-day. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)

    I think that Colonel Poole may take that as a very good omen, and I would like to that if supporting Colonel Poole has in no way damaged the efficiency of certain of his followers who happened to take part in the game to-day, well then, it goes without any more reasoning that you and I will in no way have our interests interfered with if we support him and vote for him on Monday. I hope you will do so.

    ……. ……

Ovation to the Candidate.

    Col. Poole, who was accorded an ovation on rising said that he would just like to say a word with regard to the great victory they had achieved at Ayresome Park.

    “I may say that the last half was the most anxious three-quarters of an hour I have ever spent in my life. I have witnessed many matches throughout, but I did not stand it longer than half time because so much depended upon it for me.

    The first thing my opponents would have done had the Borough not been successful would have been to say that the players were working for me the whole of the week, and they were unfit to play. So you see I had cause to be anxious.”

 

 

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Monday 5 December 1910.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

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The  Borough’s  Home  Record  Second  to  None.

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“OLD   BIRD’S”  CHIRPS

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    The Borough have opened the fourth month of a memorable season in a style that has given the keenest satisfaction to the club’s supporters. The unbeaten Wearsiders were the latest victims to the Borough’s prowess at Ayresome Park, and I venture to assert that the result of no previous game at that enclosure has given such unqualified delight to the home club’s supporters. It was but fitting that the Borough should be the first to lower the Wearsiders’ colours. It was a grand contest, highly enjoyed by a record crowd of quite 30,000. Much fine, robust football was witnessed. The result hung in the balance right to the end, and victory went to the side which merited it on the run of the game. Mr Horrocks officiated in the capacity of referee in a style quite in accord with the grand character of the contest. He is to be congratulated upon the able manner in which he did his work. Fouls were few, and dirty work practically non-existent. Considering the positions the clubs hold and the keen rivalry a more attractive or sporting contest could not have been desired. It was a battle of giants, and will rank as one of the most memorable contests in the Borough’s First League experience.

 

A Wonderful Record.

 

    The Borough posses a wonderful record for home matches, a record second to none in the combination. Here are the results with the result of the corresponding games last season:–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

     There has been a gain of four points and a vast advance in the matter of goal average. Only one point has been dropped at home as against two each by the Villa and Sunderland. As Notts County fell at home in surprising fashion before Sheffield United, the Borough, Villa, Sunderland, and Bury, are now the only clubs with an unbeaten home record. The Borough goal average is far and away superior to those of the other three clubs. The next visitors to Ayresome Park are Bradford City, who, it will be remembered, pulverised the Borough here by 7 to 3 last season. This game should prove a great draw for Bradford are at present but a point behind the Borough for the same number of games. They will put in all they know in order to repeat last season’s performance. The Borough have a great record to maintain, and the game should prove a most attractive one.

The Borough Captain

    Everyone must have felt satisfied with the fare that was served up to them at Ayresome Park. It was a grand struggle, in which the defenders on either side showed up magnificently. I owe an apology to the Borough skipper. It has been pointed out to me that I made no reference to his play at Birmingham. This was quite an oversight on my part. There is no player in the course of my experience for whom I have held a higher regard than Williamson. He is a gentleman and a player of the very highest ability. Modest to a degree, he has a record which any man might be proud of. His play at Birmingham was entirely satisfactory, and but for his grand saving in the closing stages especially, the reverse would easily have been more decisive. Against Sunderland he was magnificent. Those saves from Bridges and Mordue in the first half were gems, and the manner in which he foiled the last named in the closing minutes was an incident which long be remembered with delight.

The Other Ten.

    McLeod came back a very giant, and he and Weir carried off the chief honours in their department, although Troughear and Forster were grand, but not so thoroughly reliable as the Borough pair. Barker repeated his magnificent Villa standard; and Wardrope’s play was of such a character as to rouse intense enthusiasm. The high opinion I formed of him at Aston was more than justified. Verrill, too, acquitted himself splendidly. The forwards worked zealously, with great dash, and at times cleverness; but their finishing was not all that could be desired. They, however, had a grand set of defenders up against them, and did well to score. McClure was an improvement on Peggie.

The Vanquished.

Allan was in way to blame for the only goal recorded against him. It was Troughear who miskicked, and gave Nicholl his chance, the custodian being helpless. He kept goal excellently throughout. Troughear has developed into a fine back since I first saw him as a rough diamond. It was hard luck on him that his only miss in a fierce contest should have lost his side the match. It is a singular fact that it was a similar miss that brought about the first defeat of the Borough at Bury. Forster ably seconded Troughear in a grand afternoon’s work. Tait, Thompson, and Low were not the equals of the Borough trio although they did much fine work, the centre man being the pick. He was no better than the man occupying a similar position on the other side. The whole front line did well, but found the Borough’s defenders so masterly that they should not score. Their shooting was at times very moderate, but this was due mostly to the untiring manner in which the Borough halves and backs played on them. Rarely were they given opportunities to get in accurate shots. When they did there was force behind them. Although vanquished the Wearsiders have no reason to be upset. They put up a good, honest fight, and left the arena with the good wishes of all sportsmen on Teesside for their future welfare.

 

 

 

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Tuesday 6 December 1910.

Middlesbrough

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Splendid Victory of the Liberal and Labour Candidate

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MR. PENRY WILLIAMS M.P.,

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On his triumph: Self Government and Free Trade

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PENRY WILLIAMS (L)     10,313

T. GIBSON POOLE  (U)          6,568

 Majority     3,745

 

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Friday 6 January 1911.

 

F O O T B A L L    S C A N D A L

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The Alleged Attempt to Bribe Sunderland Players

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T O    L O S E    A T    M I D D L E S B R O U G H

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To-day’s Important Inquiry in Manchester

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    At five o’clock this evening a commission appointed by the Football association will sit at the Grand Hotel, Manchester, to inquire into the allegation that an attempt was made to bribe the Sunderland players to lose the League match played at Middlesbrough on December 3rd.

    The Commission comprised Messrs Clegg, McKenna, Lewis, and Woolfall.

    It is understood that the inquiry is being held in connection with certain allegations, reports of which have already appeared in the newspapers.

    The allegations are that a message was sent to the captain of the Sunderland team, and the skipper received it from a fellow player. To the captain’s amazement he was offered the sum of £30 --£10 for himself and £2 apiece for the remainder of the team to lose the match.

    The Sunderland captain, it is stated, indignantly refused to sell his club and the public. He reported the offer at once to the trainer, and to the chairman of his club. The evidence was duly sifted for corroboration. The situation was considered, and the whole of the facts were at once placed within the knowledge of the Football Association, hence the inquiry.

    The Sunderland Club will be represented by the chairman (Councillor F. W. Taylor), Messrs W. H. Bell (director), C. Thompson (captain), G. Jarvie, and J. Gemmell (players), and Mr W. Williams (trainer).

    Mr A. Walker, the manager, will, it is stated, be the only representative of the Middlesbrough Club at the inquiry.

    The interest of the whole football world is centred in this inquiry. “Old Bird” has arranged, should any decision be made public, to have the same posted in the window of the “Gazette” Office, if received too late for publication in the last edition of the “Gazette.”

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North Eastern Daily Gazette, Saturday, 7th. January 1911.

 

F O O T B A L L    S E N S A T I O N S.

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The Alleged Attempted Bribery to Lose a Match

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A T    M I D D L E S B R O U G H

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All Borough Directors to Attend Adjourned Inquiry.

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    The sensational charge of alleged attempted bribery to lose a match brought by Sunderland was inquired into by a Commission of the Football Association in Manchester last evening.

    The Commission consisted of Messrs J. C. Clegg, C.Crump, D.B. Woolfall, J.McKenna (president of the Football League), John Lewis, and F. J. Wall (secretary of the F.A.).

    On behalf of the Sunderland Club there were present, Mr Taylor (chairman), Mr Bell (director), Mr Williams (trainer), and Charles Thompson (captain), Gemmell, and Jarvie (players).

    The Middlesbrough Club was represented only by Mr A. D. Walker (manager and secretary).

    The Commission sat at the Grand Hotel at five o’clock, and at the end of an hour and a half Mr Wall

(secretary, Football Association) informed the Press that the inquiry had been adjourned until 2.30 on Thursday next, January 12, at the Grand  Hotel, Manchester.

    Mr Wall said evidence had been taken, and, emphasising the fact that the Middlesbrough club were only represented by their secretary, added that each of the  Middlesbrough directors and Mr Walker, the secretary, would be requested to attend the adjourned inquiry.

    The evidence given by the Sunderland representatives yesterday was in support of their charge that just prior to the match between the two clubs at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, on December 3rd. Last, some one approached Thompson (the Sunderland Skipper) with a monetary offer to the team if they would consent to lose the match to Middlesbrough.

    The matter is one which has aroused the keenest interest throughout the football world, and the finding of the Commission is awaited with much concern.

 

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Friday, 13th. January 1911.

 

F O O T B A L L    I N Q U I R Y.

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Charges of Attempted Bribery Denied.

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D E C I S I O N    D E F E R R E D

 

    A special Commission of the Football Association met for the second time at the Grand Hotel, Manchester, yesterday afternoon, to resume the inquiry into the allegation that some person attempted to bribe the Sunderland team to lose a match at Middlesbrough.

    Last week the Commission heard the evidence of Charles Thompson and Jarvie, Sunderland players, Sunderland officials, and Mr A. D. Walker, manager and secretary of the Middlesbrough Club.

    Yesterday, by order of the Commission, the whole of the Middlesbrough directors attended before the Commission, including Lieut.-Col. T. Gibson Poole, the chairman of the club.

    The members of the Commission are Messrs J. C. Clegg, C. Crump, D.B. Woodfall, J. Lewis, and J. McKenna, with Mr F. J. Wall, the secretary of the Football Association.

    After the Middlesbrough officials had been before the Commission for just over half an hour, Colonel Poole volunteered the information to the Press that they had denied all the allegations that had been made. He also said, however, that the directors were not charged, and, therefore, had nothing to deny.

    The hearing lasted two and three-quarters hours, and at the close Mr F. J. Wall, secretary of the F.A., informed the reporters that the six directors of the Middlesbrough Club had been before the Commission, and also the Secretary - Manager, Mr Walker.

    Additional evidence had been taken, and the findings of the Commission would be reported to the Consultative Committee of the F. A. at the meeting to be held in London on Monday, when such findings would be made public.

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North Eastern Daily Gazette, Tuesday, 17th. January 1911.

 

MIDDLESBRO’ F. C.

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C O M M I S S I O N’ S     F I N D I N G.

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THE CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY

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PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED

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S E N S A T I O N A L     R E V E L A T I O N S.

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‘FOR THE COLONEL’S SAKE.’

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The Consultative Committee of the Football Association met yesterday afternoon, and received the report of the Commission of Inquiry re the allegations of bribery against the Middlesbrough F.C.

The Commission find the club’s President and Chairman of Directors (Lieut.-Col. T. Gibson Poole) primarily responsible for the offence, and recommend that he be removed from the Association.

The Commission also recommends that the manager and secretary (Mr A. D. Walker) be removed from the Association. It was decided to adopt the report.

 

T H E    C O M M I S S I O N’ S    R E P O R T.

 

    The following is the report of the Commission :--

    “The allegation was that immediately prior to the League match on December 3rd. Between Middlesbrough and Sunderland, Mr A.D. Walker, the Secretary and Manager of the Middlesbrough F.C., made an offer to Charles Thompson, the captain of the Sunderland team, that if Middlesbrough won the match he would give them £30, £10 for himself and £2 for each of the other players.

    Mr Walker said he would like to win the match for the Colonel’s sake, as it would make a big difference to him on Monday as candidate at the Parliamentary election.

    The offer was immediately reported by Thomson to the Sunderland trainer, and a few minutes later to the Chairman and one of the directors of the Sunderland Club.

    A complaint was lodged with the Football Association and communicated to the Middlesbrough Club on the 16th of December.

    The secretary at once informed the chairman (Colonel Poole) of the complaint, and the latter went over to Sunderland on the 20th December, and during an interview with Mr Taylor, the chairman of the Sunderland Club, said he wanted to report the matter to his co-directors at their meeting to be held on the evening of that day.

    No meeting was held, but Colonel Poole instructed the secretary not to mention the matter to his co-directors or any other person, and it was not brought to the attention of the directors until the 5th January, the night before the Commission held its first meeting, of which notice had been given to the club on the 30th December.

    The Commission, after hearing all parties, are satisfied that the offer was made as alleged, and they are also of opinion that it was not made in the interests of, and on behalf of, the Middlesbrough Club, but for the reason stated by Mr Walker.

    The club has, in the past, been guilty of a number of breaches of the rules and regulations of the Football Association, some of them of a very serious character.

    A previous secretary is now under permanent suspension, and has publicly declared that he only acted under instructions, and was made the scapegoat.

    These offences have been committed while Col. Poole has been the chairman of the club, and the Commission are satisfied that the club has been largely under his domination.

    The Commission recommended that Mr A. D. Walker be removed from this Association.

    The Commission is of the opinion that Colonel T. Gibson Poole is primarily responsible for the offence, and they recommend that he also be removed from this Association.

    The Middlesbrough Club is ordered to pay the expenses of the inquiry.

    The Committee express their appreciation of the action of Charles Thompson, the captain of the Sunderland Club, in at once reporting the matter to his chairman.

    The Commissions recommendations were adopted.

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O N E     M A N     M A N A G E M E N T.

    “Old Bird.” Editor “Sports Gazette,” writes :--It was with a feeling of keen regret that I heard the finding of the Commission. I have known Colonel Poole ever since I was a lad, and have watched his ever-advancing career with the liveliest interest.

    Rising, as he has done, from the lowest rung of the ladder, one of the masses, he has ascended to almost the highest position a citizen could desire.

    To attain that chief honour, however -- viz., to represent the town of his birth in Parliament -- he has, according to the judgment of the Football Association, allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion, and the sequel is appalling in its consequences.

    In the “Sports Gazette” of June 11 last, I published the following article. The result of the Commission’s inquiry proves that what I then said was more than justified. The pity of it is action was not then taken, or we might have been spared the present disclosures:--

    “For some time past a very strong feeling of resentment has been displayed by followers of football on Tees-side at the fact that the affairs of the ‘Borough club were being allowed to drift far too much into the hands of one man -- viz., the Chairman, Lieut. Col. T. Gibson Poole. It has been a matter of general comment that it had resolved itself into a one-man management, and it is felt that it is not for the good of the club that such should be the case.

    “The Mayor of Middlesbrough holds high rank as a successful man of business. When he joined the Board of Directors of the Middlesbrough club he was known to possess very little knowledge of the game or the men who played it. In the interval he has taken a keen interest in the game, and has witnessed many important matches. He has a pretty good idea of a player’s worth, and as a man is worthy of his place on the directorate. His business abilities have been displayed in several directions, and he has done much for the club. To have one man rule the roost, however, is a position of affairs that is not for the general welfare of the club.

    “For years past the shareholders who attend the matches and the annual meetings have had practically no voice in the election of the club’s managers. The introduction of proxy voting began the trouble. Since then men have been co-opted to the Board , and with the exception of perhaps the Chairman himself there is no direct representation from the people most interested in the Borough’s welfare. What is wanted is a complete reorganisation of the management. Everyone is agreed that if matters are allowed to drift as they are doing much longer, there can be but one result --viz,. the extinction of the club as now constituted.

    “The strong man of the club must have other strong men associated with him, men who will see that their opinions are respected and that their desires are carried out. It has been common knowledge for some time that the Chairman’s will is law. Those that have sat with him round the board have had their say, but these meetings have been more a matter of form than anything else. The same thing applies to the meetings of the shareholders.”

    No sympathy can be felt for any man who, in order to achieve his private ends, endangers the welfare of any body of which he is the head.

    “The Colonel” and his agent in this sorry business have gone out of football, and it is incumbent upon the five directors left to at once call a meeting of shareholders to discuss the lamentable situation created, and take such action as may be deemed fit.

    Under the articles of association I believe I am correct in stating that the Board may consist of eight directors -- there has only been six. It will therefore be wise for the shareholders to appoint three gentlemen to the board.

 

“A B S O L U T E L Y    G U I L T L E S S.”

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Colonel Poole’s Statement to “Gazette” Representative.

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“N O    E V I D E N C E    T O    C O N V I C T    M E.”

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Mr Walker Emphatically Declares His Innocence.

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    Exclusively to the “North-Eastern Daily Gazette” Lieut-Colonel T. Gibson Poole has granted an interview concerning the decision by the Football Association.

    Colonel Poole is naturally considerably perturbed by the findings of the Commission, and still maintains that he is absolutely guiltless in the matter.

    “I am,” he said “entirely innocent of the offence for which I have been suspended.”

    “If such an offer was made in my interests as is suggested by the Football Association it was entirely without my knowledge or consent.”

    “I knew nothing of the affair until the receipt of the letter from the Football Association.”

    “There has been positively no evidence before the Commission to connect me in any way with the charge, and I don’t intend to permit my name to be sullied in this manner.”

    “I propose to take legal advice, and if possible seek a remedy in a Court of Law.”

    Mr A. D. Walker, manager and secretary, in conversation with “Old Bird,” this morning emphatically denied that he ever made such an offer as is alleged, and has sworn an affidavit to that effect.

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P R E S S    C O M M E N T S.

A    P R O S T I T U T I O N    O F    S P O R T.

    “The Standard” (by “B. B.” :-- “As an entertainment professional football fostered by the various Leagues is wonderful and exciting; its power to attract the public is amazing, and its popularity undoubted. But as a thing that has to do with sport only it is almost impossible; it belongs to the hippodrome. It is a money-making business, opposed to sentiment; it is foreign to a true conception of sport. League football is shop keeping, with the difference that much of it is sordid; it breeds scandal; it kills chivalry. And it is killing itself; the football hippodrome is burning, slowly it may be, but surely. Cam there be the least doubt about it when we are asked to read the report issued by a Commission appointed by the Football Association.

    We who would only have sport for sport’s sake have always been opposed to professionalism of the kind that exists, and which the Football Association, though they have tried, have failed to reduce to honesty. We dislike the League system because it is a trust; it is a prostitution of sport; money counts, players are bought and sold -- £2,000 for this and that man -- it is just swapping and trucking. And now it is alleged that certain men officially connected with a club have been guilty of trying to buy a result! No game could be involved in a more serious scandal than that which has been brought to light. Those who have the least idea of what goes on behind the scenes, however, will not be surprised at even such a revelation as that now made. I do not wish to imply that players are dishonest, and can be bought over for a few pounds; as a class nothing can be urged against them. But the players scarcely matter.

    My dislike of League football comes from the fact that for years they have been allegations of dishonesty, and certain men have been severely punished. Until some twelve months ago a professional footballer, according to the laws of the game, could not receive more than a certain wage. From the first it was common knowledge that the maximum salary was exceeded, and the Football Association, tired of suspending this and that official for breaches of this particular law, and regretting, as I know they did, that they ever accepted the responsibility of regulating the finances of the League clubs, were obliged to grant an amnesty to all those who had offered and had paid more than the limited wage, on the understanding that in future there would be no breach of the law. And yet club managers continued to be dishonest amongst themselves, with the result that financial restrictions were removed.

    It would be quite absurd to imagine that a club with an unlimited income would regulate its income according to that of one who could only just make ends meet. Money is used to buy up the best players -- players from anywhere and everywhere. Little clubs batten on the big clubs, they live to a large extent by the transfer system.

    But neither the buying nor the selling of players is so serious as the allegation that  an attempt has been made to “square” a match, Years ago pedestrians enjoyed immense popularity; the Sheffield Handicap was a tremendous affair. Pedestrianism developed into money-making of a most pronounced kind -- “talking racehorses,” I have heard professional runners described. They run for a “gaffer.”; they were in the hands of the “gaffer” they ran according to instructions, and pedestrianism, as we understood it years ago, is dead.

    Money and sport are an impossible combination; the League is the frankest money-making business there could be; it is a circus under another name. How the Football Association have failed, not because they have not tried -- I am sure they are out for honesty, tooth and nail -- everybody who has followed the career and the doings of the League knows. The League, which is an avowed entertainment, should be left to take care of itself; it should be free to do as it likes. It should be a thing apart from the Football Association, whose duty should be to encourage and develop the game as a game, and always to regard football as a manly, health-giving exercise.

 

A   P O L I T I C A L    S C A N D A L.

    “Sheffield Telegraph” (Looker-on):-- For once in a way the Cup draw must yield pride of place in the interest of footballers, who will find nothing more engrossing this morning than the remarkable revelations re the “bribery scandal” made at the Football Association meeting yesterday. Draws for the Cup are frequent occurrences, but, fortunately, scandals like the one which has just been laid bare are few and far between. In some respects the disgraceful business reported yesterday is entirely without precedent.

    From the very beginning it must have been obvious that Middlesbrough as a club had no earthly reason for trying to bribe Sunderland to lose the match at Ayresome. Had it happened in other seasons, when Middlesbrough were in a desperate position on the League table, one could have understood such a proceeding, while condemning it. But this has been Middlesbrough’s great year.

    They began so well that from the beginning of the season it had been obvious that Middlesbrough were not destined for the Second Division this time, and therefore, it didn’t matter very greatly whether they beat Sunderland or not. Middlesbrough as a club have been exonerated from all connection with the matter -- a finding that all along has seemed certain.

    Some people refused to believe that there had been attempted bribery, simply because thy couldn’t discover a motive. The Commission appointed by the Football Association has brought the motive to light. As will be seen from the commission’s report, it was thought that a victory for Middlesbrough would influence the voters of the town in favour of Colonel Poole, who was not only chairman of the club but Parliamentary candidate for the division. Hence the desire to make victory certain.

    There is no doubt that the proceedings in this business have been scandalous, but it is a political scandal, not a football one. Football comes out of this thing with clean hands. Let us not forget that.

    To those people who affect to believe that no good ever came out of football, we have this point to make, that Charles Thompson, professional footballer, refused on behalf of himself and his colleagues a political bribe, offered to him for political purposes. It is a great misfortune that the political life of our country should contain unsavoury episodes of this description, but with that I have nothing to do here.

    I do rejoice, and I am certain that the feeling is shared by all footballers, that professional footballers have proved that they play the game honestly and cleanly. The Commission expresses their appreciation of Thompson’s action in reporting this matter, and that appreciation will be echoed by all sportsmen. Charles Thompson has done sport a good service.

 

 

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Tuesday, 17th. January 1911.

 

North-Eastern Daily Gazette

HEAD OFFICE : ZETLAND-ROAD. MIDDLESBROUGH.          TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS:

LONDON OFFICE : 143-144, FLEET-STREET, E.C.              “GAZETTE,” MIDDLESBROUGH

 

 

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Tuesday,   January  17th,   1911.

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T H E    F O O T B A L L    S C A N D A L .

    Everyone in Middlesbrough must regret that the name of the borough and of a prominent citizen is associated with procedure that is not conducive to good sport, good politics, or good citizenship. We wish, in viewing the very grave judgment pronounced on Lieut.-Col. Poole and the Football Club manager, to be as considerate and lenient as possible. Supposing the judgement of the Football Association is founded on fact -- and if it not we hope Colonel Poole will leave no stone unturned to clear himself -- the only explanation that could be given of the transaction is that one or the other of the parties concerned lost his head two or three days before the Middlesbrough poll, and that he did, in a moment of excitement, what his calm judgement would not approve. There was a good deal in the method of conducting the latest Unionist campaign in Middlesbrough that was objectionable. Mr Poole was comparatively a political novice. With the traditions, facts, opinions, and sentiments of politics he was very imperfectly conversant. He threw himself into the political struggle as if it were part of a football match, and throughout his campaign the two fundamentally different concerns were never separated. The appearance of the team on his behalf and their crude appeals for support to him must have been known and countenanced by him. From this action to a deliberate attempt to induce a rival team to give a match away there is, we admit, a long stride; but one can see that, as the political excitement increased and as the polling day approached, the type of electioneering adopted tended to make calm reasoning almost impossible, and that to a super-heated imagination the winning of a critical match -- a match that aroused such intense local interest as that between the then unbeaten Sunderland team and Middlesbrough -- might appear to be a matter of such tremendous importance as to call for some extra-ordinary effort.

    These and other excuses can be, and ought to be, made; and we are not going to say that the guilty party in this case -- if there is guilt -- is a sinner above all others. Not only have attempts been made before now to arrange matches, but there is reason to believe that teams have actually refrained from playing their best in order that friends might not be driven out of the League. The person who approached Sunderland (assuming that it was approached) may have thought that the winning or losing of Sunderland mattered little to the team, and that if political capital could be obtained therefrom the end might justify the means. All this, and perhaps a little more, might be said for him. Yet, if the evidence is clear, the Football association have acted rightly. To allow a glaring case of tampering to pass without exemplary punishment would have been to declare football an unclean game. The whole game, its value as sport, even its very earning power as a spectacular show, depend on the team playing honestly, that is on their doing their best to win. Let it be understood that matches can be arranged, be the purpose what it may, and no reliance can be placed on anything associated with professional football. It is the same on the racecourse. There may be many incidental evils associated with it; but those who manage affairs have from the first determinedly ostracised and rejected all suspected of tampering with races. Those who run must run to win; if they run for any other purpose they are considered as unworthy of association with sport. As high a sense of honour must be maintained on the football field. The severe judgement of the Football Association, if it is according to fact, must help to secure this result, and therefore it must be loyally accepted and acted on by the shareholders of the Football Club, leaving the accused parties to take what action they may to restore their reputation.

    Some months ago attention was drawn by the Editor of the “Sports Gazette” to the system of one-man management that prevailed in the Middlesbrough club, and a grave warning was given to the club that the consequences might be serious. It is a pity this warning was not heeded. There were circumstances in the history of the club, including some of the past punishments meted out to directors, which tended to confirm this autocracy and to tempt Col. Poole to go further than discretion warranted. He has suffered as much as the club in consequence, for an autocracy of the kind will turn the coolest head. The guidance of associates is absolutely necessary. At least, it affords a partial guarantee that a certain amount of openness and candour shall characterise the negotiations of the club, and that the spirit as well as the letter of regulations that are necessary for the safeguarding of the game shall be obeyed.

    Coming back to the incident which has brought the sharp sentence, it must be said that the egregious folly of the alleged “arrangement” jumps to the eyes, as the French say. There is nothing that a football crowd more easily detects than unreal play. If the Middlesbrough-Sunderland match had been actually bought the reaction, political as well as sporting, would have been great, Neither political nor sporting capital would have been obtained from it. Probably a wholly contrary effect to that anticipated would have been produced. As it was, the match was played honestly, Sunderland was beaten, and yet this beating on a fair field did not bring to Mr Poole the political capital he expected. His great meeting in the evening was a comparative failure. The electors of Middlesbrough on the Monday gave to all the sharp lesson that it does not pay to make low estimates of the political conscience of the community. It was thought hundreds, if not thousands, of voters would regard an evanescent football triumph as of more value than political principles. That assumption will not be made so readily again.

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North Eastern Daily Gazette, Friday, 20th. January 1911.

 

M I D D L E S B R O U G H   F.  C.

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Mr Fred France Appointed Chairman.

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L E T T E R   F R O M   M R   A. D. W A L K E R.

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“Cruelly Wronged by Decision of the F. A.”

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    At a meeting of the directors of the Middlesbrough Football Club last night Mr Fred France was elected chairman. Mr J.H. Gunter was appointed hon. Secretary, and Mr Dave Smith, a former captain of the club, was elected by the board to sit on the directorate.

    The following letter was read from Mr A. D. Walker, late manager and secretary of the club:--

    Gentlemen,-- As you are aware I have been suspended by the F.A. and therefore can no longer remain in your employ. I wish to convey to you, sirs, the officials, the players, and the people of Middlesbrough my sincere gratitude for the great courtesy and the many kindnesses I have received from you all during my residence in Middlesbrough.

    With regard to the finding of the recent commission, I am now deprived of my living, and from the evidence which was brought before that body it is a most unjust decision. I have been found guilty of a most serious offence, further, on no evidence at all.

    The Commission decided that Colonel Poole, chairman of the club, is primarily responsible for this offence, and I can honestly state that the first intimation Colonel Poole had of this matter was on December 10, when I showed him the letter from the Football Association, stating that a complaint had been lodged against the officials of the Middlesbrough club.

    Nobody knows better than yourselves gentlemen, what colonel Poole has done for the Middlesbrough Club, and I am sure you will agree with me in saying that its position to-day, both from a playing and financial standpoint, is due to the excellent business methods he has introduced into the management of its affairs.

    For myself, I will no doubt be able to find other employment in Middlesbrough or elsewhere, but at the same time I have no hesitation in saying that not only myself and Colonel Poole -- to whom, considering his high public position, and that his honour is at stake, it is perhaps a more serious matter to him than to myself -- have been cruelly wronged by this decision of the F.A.

    Apart from this I shall always retain pleasant memories of my association with you, and I sincerely hope that the club will go on and prosper.  “Play up, Boro.”--

Yours sincerely,     ANDREW D, WALKER.

    The whole of the debentures have been paid off, and the club is now not only free from debt, but has a balance in hand.

    Two more gentlemen are to be co-opted to the board of directors in the near future.

    “Old Bird” learns that the Borough players will be housed at the Red Lion Hotel, Redcar, for special training from Tuesday next for a fortnight.

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North Eastern Daily Gazette, Wednesday, 25th. January 1911.

 

THE LATE BOROUGH MANAGER

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F.A. TO BE ASKED TO RECONSIDER THE POSITION.

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    Mr T. Shorttle presided at a public meeting held at the Wellington Hotel, Middlesbrough, last night, to consider the desirability of petitioning the Football Association for a reduction of the punishment passed on Mr A. D. Walker, the late secretary and manager.

    What they had gathered there for that night was, said Mr Shorttle, not to say whether Mr Walker had been justly or unjustly treated, as they had no opportunity of hearing the evidence put before the commission. Without for a moment suggesting that Mr walker was guilty, he was sure that the members of the commission would not have punished him so severely had they not thought their judgment was right.

    When Mr walker came to Middlesbrough he had to shoulder great responsibilities. The club was in a low state, both from a financial and a playing point of view. There was practically no team, but he was given a free hand, and he got together a side whose position, at any rate up to a few weeks ago, was the pride of the town.

    They were true sportsmen who had assembled there to help one who had fallen. Whatever offence the late secretary had committed the punishment was too severe. The object of the meeting was to try and alleviate it. The suspension should be for a time, not permanent.

    They did not say that it was an injustice to Mr Walker, but they asked for justice tempered with mercy.

    A letter was read from the secretary of the Middlesbrough Harriers (Mr D. Skipsey) assuring them of the sympathy of the Harriers for Mr walker.

    Mr C. E. Thompson, in proposing that a petition be drawn up to be presented to the F.A., said that in a conversation with Mr Walker he had been told, that the position of secretary to the Middlesbrough Club would not be permanently filled until the whole matter had been thoroughly sifted.

    Mr F. Barker seconded.

    The outline of the petition suggested by Mr Thompson was that the F.A. should reconsider the position.

    It was unanimously decided to draft a petition, and this, on the motion of Mr F. Barker, will be circulated in Cleveland and South Durham.

    A small committee was elected to deal with the drawing up of the petition and the means of circulating it. Mr J. E. H. Spensley was appointed secretary, and Mr W. Fox treasurer. The other members are: Messrs J. Hughes, T. Cotton, A Dennis, C. E. Thompson, T. Shorttle, E. S. Pearson, F. Barker, W. Fox, F. Wood, and F. Simpson. They have power to co-opt other five members.

    The financial side of the matter then cropped up, and a testimonial was suggested. Mr Thompson said they wanted Mr Walker back as manager, that was better than all the testimonials.

    Eventually it was decided to have a “whip round” that night, and to organise a fund which is open to receive contributions however large or small. The money so collected will be used to defray the committee’s expenses, etc.

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Very serious allegations are made that Middlesbrough attempted to bribe Sunderland players to ensure a Middlesbrough victory. Club Chairman, and parliamentary candidate, was Colonel T. Gibson Poole. (pictured right)