AGENDA
POST WAR RECONSTRUCTION-REPORT.
1.—INTRODUCTORY.
By resolution of the Clubs in General Meeting on 28th June, 1943, the following was agreed:—
That a Post War Planning Committee, comprising the Management Committee together with six representa-
tives of the Clubs, shall be appointed by the Management Committee at an early date with a view to a com-
prehensive Report being available to the Clubs at the cessation of hostilities.
In furtherance of this the Management Committee on 23rd July, 1943, appointed a Post-War Planning
Committee comprising the nine members of the Management Committee and the following six Club
representatives:—Messrs. H. P. Hardman (Manchester United), J. H. Mears (Chelsea), H. H. Merrett
(Cardiff City), F. H. Normansell (Aston Villa), A. J. Platt (Sheffield United), and J. I. Taylor (Preston North
End). The first Meeting of the Post-War Planning Committee was held on 15th October, 1943, and subsequent
Meetings were held on 12th November, 1943, 14th January, 1944, 18th February, 1944, 10th March, 1944,
14th April, 1944, 5th May, 1944, 15th June, 1944, 14th July, 1944, 29th October, 1944, and 2nd February, 1945.
2.—TERMS OF REFERENCE.
At the outset, the Committee had to determine their Terms of Reference. Should the scope of enquiry
be limited to such problems as affect the League's own Competitions, or should the enquiry be more general
and involve all matters connected with Football? It was unanimously decided that the Committee limit its
enquiries to matters affecting the League Competitions. Accordingly, the deliberations of the Committee
were confined entirely to such matters as affected the League either in its Constitution or in its Competitions.
Attached will be found the results of those deliberations briefly stated but capable of amplification.
For ease of reference, Headings have been used and the matter classified under "Recommendations" and
"Reports."
3.—TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.
(The following Recommendations affecting the Transitional Period were agreed by the Clubs in
General Meeting on 30th October, 1944.)
Recommendation 1 (COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION OF).
(a) That if hostilities in Europe cease between 1st May and 30th September, then VICTORY
LEAGUE and CUP Competitions be instituted as soon thereafter as possible. A Rider was
added to the effect that in the event of the Football Association instituting their Challenge Cup
Competition during this period the matter of a League Cup Competition be reconsidered.
(b) That if hostilities cease between 30th September and 1st May, the existing Competitions be
continued and the VICTORY Competitions commence the following season.
(c) That the duration of the Transitional Period be determined by the Management Committee in
the light of circumstances at the time.
Recommendation 2 (GROUPING OF CLUBS).
That the Clubs be grouped in the pre-war Divisions, each Club taking the position occupied in
September, 1939, and that there be no promotion and relegation.
AMENDMENT.—ARSENAL F.C. propose : "That the Resolution passed at the Annual General
Meeting, on 30th October, 1944, be rescinded, and the following be adopted in its stead,
'That during the Transition Period the First and Second Division Clubs shall be combined and
formed into North and South Divisions respectively, as below, and that the Third Divisions operate
as in normal times.
'NORTH DIVISION.—Everton, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End,
Grimsby Town, Liverpool, Leeds United, Manchester United, Blackpool, Sunderland, Hudders-
field Town, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City,
Chesterfield, Burnley, Newcastle United, Bradford (P.A.), Bury, Barnsley.'
{Cd 5} 'SOUTH DIVISION.—Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Arsenal, Derby County, Aston
{Subston} Villa, Brentford, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Birmingham City, Leicester City, Coventry City, 'Luton
{23-20} Town, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Fulham, Millwall,
Plymouth Argyle, Southampton, Swansea Town, Nottingham Forest, Newport County.'"
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