THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE, LIMITED. REGISTERED OFFICE: Castle Chambers, Market Place, Secretary: Preston, T. CHARNLEY. September 30th, 1914. DEAR SIR,— Having regard to the large number of men called up for active service in connection with the War, and the remarkable response to the invitation for volunteers to enlist and render service to the country, quite apart from any necessary lack of funds available for purposes of attending football matches as the result of lack of employment in some towns, it became apparent before the season actually commenced that it would be one of acute and probably increasing difficulty for some Clubs. Believing that it was the desire of the Clubs to provide a healthy antidote to the War, and realising that our competition would be of national service in preserving an equable mind and counteracting any tendency to panic and monomanaism, and out of respect for the contracts entered into between Clubs and players, the Committee have continuously and unanimously approved the commencement of the game at the usual time with a view to carrying out the season’s programme. Notwithstanding the early opposition to football being played, they are now confident that the failure to continue League football would be a national calamity. They, however, anticipate largely-reduced incomes, and the possibility of acute difficulties being experienced by some Clubs to continue their programme and yet discharge their legal and moral obligations. With such fears in their minds, the Committee asked for comparative state- ments of receipts from gates and members’ subscriptions for this and the three previous seasons. Without disclosing the details of such information, we may at once state that the receipts from both sources are less than one-half of any of the three previous seasons. The position is even now so serious with some Clubs, that at a Joint Conference with the Committee of the Southern League, held on Monday last, it was unanimously agreed that it was imperative that wages should be at once reduced, and each League was left to make the best and wisest arrangement. For your judgment we enclose a comparative statement. To prevent identification the Clubs are referred to by number and are not placed in alphabetical order. Unless some sound financial scheme is immediately adopted, several Clubs must sooner or later—probably sooner than later—fall out of the Competition. This applies chiefly to some Clubs in the Second Division, but if they fail to carry out their programme the whole Competition will prematurely end. Your Committee have carefully considered the grave possibilities, and have prepared the scheme herewith as the most likely to cause the least disturbance, and strongly desire and commend its acceptance by the Clubs. The loyalty of the League Clubs can not be questioned. At heart we are faithful adherents to the League spirit. In a critical period in the history of the game devotion to the League is of paramount importance. Our personal and individual interests must be sacrificed to the common good. The scheme calls for sacrifice on the part of the best paid professional players, whose wages would be assured, in the interests of players whose position is precarious and continued engagements seriously threatened. The players must show that spirit of brotherhood which immediately compels the rich to help the poor. The strong Clubs must come to the help of the weak. In this season of financial strain, to obviate the cost of a special meeting we ask your written approval of the scheme, and your assurance that you will loyally carry it out. The situation brooks no delay. There is no time for argument or cavilling. The scheme must he organised at once to be of any real service. Will you, therefore, bring the circular and accompanying scheme and comparative statement to the notice of your Directors for their careful consideration. Believing that they will approve the same and act in accordance therewith, will you further submit the proposed scheme to your players, specially such as are not members of the Players’ Union, and obtain their approval. The Management Committee will meet at the Woolpack Hotel, Birmingham, on Tuesday morning next, at 10 o’clock, and I should be glad of an intimation from you approving and accepting the scheme, and also expressing the views of your players, such acceptance to be in the hands of the Secretary in time for such meeting. UNLESS THE WHOLE OF THE CLUBS APPROVE, THE PROBABLE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME WOULD BE LARGELY JEOPARDISED. A copy of this circular and enclosures has been forwarded to the Players’ Union, and it is proposed to meet the representatives of the Union in Birmingham on Wednesday next at 11 o’clock. If generally accepted the scheme will be put in operation at once. Yours truly, J. McKENNA, PRESIDENT. T. CHARNLEY, SECRETARY.