if it was necessary to change the ball during the progress of the game, then a ball similar in all
respects to the original one should be used. He suggested that perhaps an instruction or Regulation
that the coloured ball, not necessarily a White Ball, should be available if required during the
months of November, December, January and February would meet with the approval of the Clubs.
Alteration to Sunderland F. C. referred once again to this Rule and the disadvantages accruing from it.
Off-side Law as They intended to bring forward a proposition at the Annual General Meeting that strong
it concerns a representation be made to The Football Association that this Rule should be abolished.
Player played
"On side." Portsmouth F. C. stated that they whole heartedly supported the proposition.
Wolverhampton Wanderers F. C. stated that they had brought this matter forward two or
three years ago, when they were informed that it had been forwarded for the consideration of
The Football Association.
The President informed the Clubs that, as a result of the Wolverhampton Wanderers F. C.
suggestion, representation had been made to The Football Association, who had been themselves
concerned about this weakness in the Rule for years. The difficulty had been to find a suitable
formula which would have the desired effect and also meet with the approval of the International
Board. On the last occasion the matter fell down somewhere between The Football Association
and the International Board.
Promotion and The Third Division South Representative said that, in putting forward this suggestion once
Relegation again, his Section were of the opinion that there was an obvious crack appearing in the facade of
Four Up and The League. In the light of this Season's programme it was necessary to do something urgently.
Four Down. They were quite satisfied that the fall in attendance after Christmas was due in a large proportion
to the fact that in the Third Division, the promotion race only concerned one or two Clubs, and
the spectators generally lost interest.
They thought that the greater movement of Clubs from one division to another would go a long
way towards reviving this interest and relieving the financial burden of Clubs. They hoped that
the First and Second Division Clubs would support their suggestion, because it was imperative
that ways and means must be found to make the Third Division more self supporting.
Plymouth Argyle F. C. stated that they supported the proposition which they considered to
be for the benefit of all Clubs in The League. They would like to hear the views of those Clubs who
voted against it at the last Annual General Meeting and also those of the Management Committee,
together with the reasons for such views.
Portsmouth F. C. said that they were against it, because in their opinion it would mean far
too many changes in the construction of The League with a consequent lowering of the standard
of football nationally.
Queen's Park Rangers F. C. thought it was a good thing, and that if it was given a sporting
chance the Clubs would never have any cause to regret it.
Wolverhampton Wanderers F. C. wondered whether the Third Division would be prepared
for the two Clubs at the bottom to drop out of these divisions each year if this proposal were carried.
Torquay United F. C. also spoke in support and expressed the opinion that it would be for
the benefit of the Clubs and the game in general.
The President said that it was quite easy to say something on this subject and be drawn into
an argument. He did not wish to hurt anybody's feelings and he felt that this was a matter entirely
for the Clubs to decide at the Annual General Meeting.
Increased The Third Division North Representative said they were a little at a loss to understand the
Representation objection to this request. The Third Division had been formed 33 years ago, and to-day they had
for Associate only 4 votes for 48 Clubs. They were reasonable people and could not see any objection to the
Members. small request they were making. They realised that they were junior members of the family, but
thought that their request to increase their number of votes from 4 to 8 against the 44 votes held
by the First and Second Division Clubs was a very small one.
West Bromwich Albion F. C. spoke against the proposition and reminded the Third Division
that when the Divisions were formed the Clubs had stated that their only desire was to come in
under The League's umbrella and they only wanted one vote each to represent them.
Luton Town F. C. spoke in favour and suggested that changing times needed changing methods.
In their opinion it was unfair for the Third Divisions to come to meetings of the League with only
4 votes against 44.
Accrington Stanley F. C. stated that Third Division Clubs were taking a greater share in the
game to-day and all they asked for was fair play.
Tottenham Hotspur F. C. thought that the Third Division could strengthen their case by
dealing with the Football Association whose rule made it necessary to have Associate members,
because a League could not consist of more than 44 members.
Plymouth Argyle F. C. wished to make progress and supported the proposition.
Doncaster Rovers F. C. thought the time had come for higher representation on behalf of the
Third Division Clubs.
The President stated that this matter was entirely one for the Clubs to decide at the Annual
General Meeting. He was sure that the Management Committee would wish him to say on their
behalf that they were just as conscious of and sympathetic to the problems of the Third Division
Clubs as they were in the case of the other Clubs in The League.
Alteration of The Third Division Representative said that this matter had been before the Annual General
Rule 69 re Meeting last year. He was rather of the opinion that he had been misunderstood and could not
Transfer Fees understand how anyone could be against it. The necessity for the transfer rights of the players
where a Club is of any Club leaving The League passing to the Management Committee was accepted, but they
not re-elected. could not understand why only two thirds of the proceeds should be given to the Club, if it had met
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