Bradford (Park Avenue) F. C. supported whole-heartedly all that had been said, and thought
that every television programme should be watched carefully to see that it did not interfere with
the revenue of Clubs.
Wolverhampton Wanderers F. C. asked that it should be borne in mind that if the door was
closed completely on television, it could have the opposite effect on revenue. Other codes had
changed their minds about television and were gaining good publicity value from it. They were
of the opinion that television must certainly be controlled, but not cut out completely.
The President, replying to the discussion, noted that the Clubs were happy about the
unidentified sound broadcast commentaries. So far as television was concerned, however, he thought
that something had been done to ease the position by the removal of fixtures from Cup Final day.
He was happy to say that next season it would again be possible to keep the Cup Final date free
of League fixtures. He was firmly of the opinion that so long as television was controlled as it is
now, there was nothing to fear. The Management Committee had, in fact, been approached by
the B. B. C. for permission to televise short extracts of matches on Saturday afternoons, and they
had replied that such permission could not be granted.
Congestion of Bradford (Park Avenue) F. C. raised the question of the congestion of fixtures in the Third
Fixtures in Division and stated that in their own opinion The League was overcrowded. Every Club was
Third Division. finding the utmost difficulty in fitting in fixtures through Cup Ties and bad weather. They gave
examples of the considerable loss in revenue caused to them during the season by postponements,
and stated that every Club in the Third Division was having a struggle to survive.
The Third Division North Representative said that his Section had not considered this
matter officially, but he felt, personally, that the trouble was caused by the fact that not enough
Saturdays were available. This, coupled with the fact that we now have 24 Clubs in the Division,
caused the congestion. He did not want to see two Clubs expelled from The League, however,
because he knew that his own Club were glad of the extra revenue. In his opinion there could not
be any solution to this problem, and the Clubs must be prepared to accept the position as it is.
F. A. Challenge The Third Division South Representative asked that representation be made to The Football
Cup Rules— Association for an alteration to the Rules of The Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
Alteration to to enable all League Clubs to enter the competition at the same time. He had no wish to burden
ensure that all the Meeting with details of the financial difficulties of the Third Division Clubs, which was just
League Clubs one of those things. He did think, however, that the change he envisaged would give more Third
enter at the Division Clubs a chance of meeting First and Second Division Clubs in the earlier rounds.
same time.
Bradford (Park Avenue) F. C. stated that this was a partial answer to their complaint of
congestion of fixtures. At the present time Third Division Clubs were only allowed one open date,
and they were firmly of the opinion that the change suggested was worthy of consideration.
West Bromwich Albion F. C. and Liverpool F. C. spoke against the suggestion.
The President stated that this was a matter for The Football Association, but pointed out
that, even if a change came about, it would not increase very greatly the chance of a Third
Division Club meeting a First or Second Division Club. Ninety-two League Clubs out of 128
would mean that there would be only 44 First and Second Division Clubs for the other 84 Third
Division and Non-League Clubs to play, which did not seem to be a very great improvement.
F. A. Challenge Portsmouth F. C. referred to the Cup Tie between Walthamstow Avenue F. C. and one of the
Cup Rules- Third Division Clubs at which 1/- was the minimum price of admission. They felt that the Rule
Alteration to which fixes the minimum as 1/- including Entertainment Tax (Ladies and Boys excepted) was
ensure that the made when the Tax situation was considerably different from what it is now. They would be the
Minimum charge last to suggest that an Amateur Club should not be allowed to enter the competition, but at the
for admission same time, they considered it unfair to expect a League Club to play away from home against
shall be the same an Amateur Club for such a small net gate. They asked that the Management Committee make
as in the League representation to The Football Association for an alteration of Rule to make the minimum price
if a League Club of admission for any Cup Tie in which a League Club plays 1/9, including tax.
is a contestant.
Queen's Park Rangers F. C. spoke in support and said that they were convinced that if such
an amendment to Rule was made, the Non-League Clubs would welcome it.
The President expressed the opinion that it should be possible to propose a motion for the
alteration of that Rule, to the effect that in the competition proper the minimum charge for
admission should be 1/9, including tax (Ladies and Boys excepted), unless otherwise mutually
agreed between the Clubs concerned.
Use of the Sunderland F. C. drew attention to the anomalies existing at the present time in the use of
White Ball. the White Ball. They were not particularly adverse to the practice, although there was apparently
nothing in the Rules which made it imperative for a Club to use such a ball. The point really at
issue was the method of introduction of the White Ball during a match, and they would like the
Management Committee to issue an instruction that if the Referee thought the White Ball should
be used at any time during the game, then he should start with it.
Manchester City F. C. spoke in support and said that in their opinion it was not so much the
colour of the ball, but the texture which caused the trouble. The Plastic Ball was not a success,
and a coloured ball would probably give far better results.
The President said that at present there was not a Regulation of The League covering this
matter, although the Management Committee had recommended some time ago that all Clubs
should have a White Ball available if required. He was of the opinion that the novelty had worn
off so far as the spectators were concerned, and they did not make a practice of shouting for the
White Ball half so often as they did when it was first introduced. The Football Association had not
given any specific instructions beyond expressing the opinion, in their instructions to Referees, that
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