PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED REPORT OF A CONFERENCE OF CLUBS, MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE, held at the Cafe Royal, London, on Monday, 7th March, 1955, at 10 a.m. The President in his opening remarks expressed his great personal pleasure in meeting the Clubs once again after his long illness. He reminded the members once again that, in order to get through the Agenda as quickly as possible, he would ask for speeches to be confined to one speaker from one Club on any subject. Information to Before dealing with the first item on the Agenda, the President referred to statements which the Press. had appeared in the Press that morning. It was obvious that someone had given to the Press details of the Agenda which was marked "Private and Confidential" Another reference had been made to the Copyright of the fixtures which implied, quite untruthfully, that The League did not have such copyright. This might well cost The League £1,000 annually in fees for the use of the fixtures, and he stressed that it was not in the interest of the Clubs to give information on these matters to the Press. He hoped that, in the future, all Clubs would discourage the practice whenever they could. He also mentioned two matters which had been dealt with since the last Annual General Meeting. It was now common knowledge that the Cup Finalists would receive 15,000 tickets each, which was a substantial increase on the previous figure, and as much as could be expected at the moment. The second was the question of Television and it was now incumbent on all Clubs before giving permission for the televising of their matches, to seek permission from The Football Association, who, in co-operation with the Management Committee, would ensure that the Clubs' interests would be safeguarded. Finances of The President reported that at the next Annual General Meeting the Management Committee The League. would again have to present Accounts showing a substantial debit balance. This was entirely due to the increased cost of the Provident Fund, which was entered into before the Gates began to fall. The Management Committee have decided that very vigorous action is necessary to bring the income and expenditure of The League into some sort of harmony. The Committee are of the opinion that it would help matters if the 4 per cent. levy were placed on all Friendly matches, and they also intended to approach The Football Association with a request for a similar contribution from all Representative matches in which Football League players take part. Inform- ation had also been received that that Chancellor of the Exchequer or his representative was prepared to receive a deputation on the subject of Entertainment Tax, and The League's representatives would be attending to make representation for a substantial reduction. Millwall F. C. expressed the opinion that there was plenty of money in the game providing The League took steps to help themselves. It was up to The League to preserve the inheritance that had been left to them and it was time that vigorous steps were taken to demand that The Football Association should make a contribution to the Provident Fund and also pay 331/3 per cent. of nett receipts on representative games to The League. The Clubs played trial matches at the beginning of the Season and gave the gross receipts to charity. The Club felt that it was time charity began at home. All the Clubs were suffering from falling Gates, and the Government were taking 65 per cent. of the Clubs' revenue, exclusive of Entertainment Tax. It was true to say that 80 per cent. of The League Clubs were insolvent, and were it not for the backing of the Directors, many Clubs would not be in existence to-day. 1