WD 23rd Feb. 1956. Clifford S. Britton Esq., General Manager, The Everton Football Club Co., Ltd., Goodison Park, Walton, Liverpool 4. Dear Mr. Britton, I am directed by the Board of Directors of the Everton Football Club Co., Ltd., to inform you of the intention of the Board at their next meeting to be held on Friday the 24th instant to rescind a Resolution of the Board passed on the 7th February last appointing Mr H. R. Pickering Acting Manager during your absence on the Club's forthcoming American tour. The Board have learned with regret that you have construed their action as a reflection upon yourself and I am, therefore, asked to assure you that the Board had no such intention and that their proposal to rescind the Resolution above referred to, is prompted by their collective desire to remove any sense of grievance which, you may entertain, however misconceived it may be. I am to point out, however, that the forthcoming American Tour will involve you being out of the Country for approximately six weeks and it must be manifest to you that during your absence someone will have to deputise for you and deal with matters, which had you been here would have been dealt with by you in the normal course. It was solely with this in mind that the Resolution to which you have evidently taken exception was passed and while the last thing the Board desire to do is cause you any ground at all for complaint, they nevertheless deem it necessary to deal with a situation which will inevitable arise during your absence.