BERWICK RANGERS F.C.

GENERAL MEETING FAVOURS STRENGTHENING TEAM BY INCLUDING PROFESSIONALS

SATISFACTORY ENDING TO A BAD FINANCIAL SEASON

NEW BLOOD FOR THE COMMITTEE

The Annual General Meeting of Berwick Rangers F.C. took place in the Commercial Room of the Union Hotel, Tweedmouth, on Tuesday evening, and, judging by the interest shown by the large gathering present, the Club may be sure of good backing in the endeavour which will be made to form a team second to none on the Borders. In the unavoidable absence of Councillor Alex. Darling, who had another meeting to attend, Councillor David Redpath presided, and, in a few remarks, trusted what would be done that night would be all for the good of the old club and for sport in the Borough. Apologies for absence were intimated from Mr R. R. Riddell and Mr P. Spowart, the latter stating that he hoped full use would be made of the talent to be found amongst young layers, and also advocating the appointment of a trainer. A letter was also read from the E. S. F. A. announcing the date of meeting, and it was agreed that Mr Riddell, Edinburgh, represent the Club as formerly.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

M A. Neilson presented the Secretary’s report as follows:-

A very remarkable season, both as regards finance and from playing point of view, has been brought to a close, with a good credit balance in favour of the Club. Forty-three committee meetings have been held, and all have been well attended; and some hard work has been put in by many members to successfully carry through the season. Your Secretary, Mr P. Richardson, resigned during the season, and Mr A. Neilson was appointed to succeed him. The Club was severely handicapped at the beginning of the season by having to travel from home in re-played Cup ties. For the first time in the history of the Club, which was formed in 1881, the semi-final of the East of Scotland Cup Competition was reached. Four matches had to be played against Coldstream before the latter Club became victorious in the Consolation Cup. Your Committee approached the schoolmasters in the borough, with a view to resuscitation the Schools’ League, and a Joint Committee was formed. These matches have been very successful, as will be shown from the Treasurer’s report. The Ewart Cup has been the main stay of the Club financially, and keen competition was provided by the clubs entered. One thing marred this competition, and that was a player having his leg broken, for whom a benefit match was run by your Committee, which realised £35. Thanks are due to Councillor A. Darling, your President, for his interest in the club; to Mr Ralph Bradford for use of room for committee meetings; and to the players for their services throughout the season. Twenty-four games have been played during the season, of which nine have been won, eight lost, drawn seven; goals 48, against 44.

TREASURER’S SATISFACTORY REPORT

In presenting the financial statement, Mr R. Fuller said; I am delighted to state that the Club is now on a fair financial basis, having an actual balance cash credit of £62 14s 6d against a balance dr. of £10 7s 3d in the previous year. In addition to actual cash the Club is in receipt of material such as stakes, wire, goal-posts, nets, footballs, clothing, etc., all in fair condition. During the year the dressing-room has been put in order and made to meet the requirements of the Scottish Association, and in addition a table and seats have been purchased, the latter to enable the Club to run a small enclosure at matches. The field is in very good condition and well situated, but lacks sanitary arrangements, and this should be the first consideration of the new Committee.

COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER INCLUSION OF PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS

Mr John Lough moved that the Committee be given full power to make the team for the coming season purely amateur, professional or semi-professional, which ever was considered the better way attaining a first-class eleven. Had the Club been able to keep the team going with which they started last season, the Club would have been in a better position, but that had not been possible. He suggested that if the Committee had power to sign on a few professionals, if they thought it necessary, the team could be kept up to strength and that would get support of the public.

Mr R. fuller supported, and said with a strengthened team they probably would reach the Scottish Cup proper next year, and that might mean a gate from £300 to £400. With a professional player or two upon whom the Club could rely, they would be able to carry on successfully. There were good men to be got cheaply in the district, and even if they had to pay £20 to these professional players in an important match, they would still have a balance in hand from each game.

Mr Lyal Irvine thought they might even go a step further and make it a purely professional team. With a mixed team they might find their “good amateurs” wanting the same pay, and if they did not get it they would drop out of the team. He did not think the Club need go in for anything elaborate in the way of “big pay men,” but he thought at a moderate figure they might get a good team guaranteed to turn out very week. He did not suggest that they go outside the district for players. The Ewart Cup had shown that there were plenty good men to be had, and if any of these men wished to play and remain amateurs they could do so, or if they preferred to receive some recompense they could become “pros.”

The Chairman said things had been working towards this for a long time, and if they were going to get the best players n the district they would probably have a right good team which would command support. The matter should not be a great expense to the Club as none of the men would be on big pay,  and they could always have any amateur members’ who did not wish to be paid for their services.

The proposal that the Committee have full powers in the matter was unanimously agreed to.

 Mr Fuller proposed that the cost of the membership ticket to be 7s 6d per year instead of 5s, explaining that last year the membership cards were not stamped for entertainment tax, and the Club had lost heavily in issuing entertainment tax tickets to card holders. Mr Redpath thought the best way would be to charge 2s 6d per annum for nominal membership, without any benefits of free admission, and members would then have to pay for their admission and for tax the same as anyone else. The latter suggestion was remitted to the Committee to consider.

Mr Elder thought the Committee should consider the question of joining the Northumberland Association another season, but after several members had pointed out that the team would have to travel just as far as now to meet good teams, and that there was no chance of getting into the North Eastern League, the matter dropped. The meeting concluded with the usual votes of thanks.