Long Service Bury F. C. thought that a Trainer or Coach who had been with a League Club 21 years had Medal for made some contribution to the game. Permission had been given for the Trainers and Coaches to Trainers and use the name of The Football League in the title of their own Association, and it was time, therefore, Coaches. that The League recognised 21 years as a Trainer or Coach in the same way as that of Secretary or Manager. Everton F. C. spoke in support and reminded the meeting that they had brought forward the same suggestion last year. The President referred to the report of the last Conference and read to the meeting the state- ment which he had made on this subject at such meeting. The Management Committee had not changed their opinion in this matter, which they stated quite definitely last year. This was a matter which should be dealt with by the Clubs individually. A Club proved Wolverhampton Wanderers F. C. referred to the approaching of Amateur players who were to have registered by League Clubs. They had experience of their players being approached by other approached League Clubs, and when this was reported to the authorities, in some cases, the Club was fined another Club's £25. The Club concerned then waited until the end of the season and signed the player themselves. amateur player not to be They asked that, in order to stop this practice, the second Club should not be allowed to sign allowed to sign the players afterwards. that player at a future date. Swansea Town F. C. opposed the suggestion, and said that they did so despite the fact that had such a regulation been in force some years ago they would have retained the services of some very well-known players. They were strongly of the opinion that the Amateur player should be able to go wherever he wished. Progress in In reply to the question on this subject put forward by Wolverhampton Wanderers F. C., the alteration of President stated that there had not been any real progress. The Football Association had so far "Off-side" law been unable to find a suitable amendment to law 11, which would achieve the desired object without concerning causing other difficulties. "Played on-side". The Third Division (North) Representative put forward a suggestion to establish a central Fund within the framework of The League which could be used by all the Clubs to improve the Fund for amenities of their grounds both for the players and spectators. Many of the things he had wanted Ground to say had already been said in the course of discussion on other subjects, but the President had Improvements. referred to the fact that The League must fight for itself and make its own attractions. In other words, the playing and ground accommodation must be improved. He proposed to put a detailed proposal in writing, with a view to setting up a Sub-committee to consider this problem. Early Decision The Third Division (South) Representative referred to the question of the postponement of to Postpone matches where it is considered by the home Club that play would be impossible. They wanted Matches. The League to consider the advisability of allowing the home Club to call in the nearest registered Referee of The League in such circumstances, which would possibly save considerable travelling expenses for the visiting Club. The President in reply, said that it had been considered for many years a hard and fast rule that only the Referee appointed for the match could decide whether or not the ground was fit for play. In making his decision, he had to be sure that the weather would not play tricks on him at the last moment. Although it was not sufficient just to leave the decision to the home Club, he and the Management Committee were inclined to think that, in view of the continued loss of spectators, perhaps the time had come for a new approach to this problem, and they were con- sidering what would be the best method of dealing with it. Jubilee The Clubs were informed that the Management Committee had decided to improve the method Benevolent of administering the distribution of grants from this Fund. More and more players were availing Fund. themselves of the Vocational Training Scheme, which was very gratifying, but the Management Committee wanted to ensure that the players got the best value in return for the money spent on their behalf. New instructions would shortly be circulated to the Club Secretaries with this end in view. Industrial It was reported that through the good offices of the Portsmouth F.C, it had been ascertained Injuries that Clubs should pay contributions under the Industrial Injuries Act 1946, in respect of their Insurance. service players, during the weeks in which such players played for their Clubs. Club Secretaries were advised to ask their local Manager of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, for guidance in the matter. 5