PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED
REPORT
OF A CONFERENCE OF CLUBS, MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE,
held at the Cafe Royal, London, on Monday, 12th March, 1956, at 10 a.m.
The President, in opening the meeting, referred to the recent death of the Senior Vice-
President, the late Mr. W. J. Harrop.
He had been a valuable and respected legislator for many years and, in his passing, the League
had sustained a grievous loss. He asked the Members to stand in silence as a tribute to his memory.
Before proceeding to the items on the Agenda, the President said that, in view of its length
and importance, he suggested an adjournment at 1 p.m. if necessary, and a resumption at 2-15 p.m.
In order to expedite the business, Members should confine themselves to one speaker from each Club
on any one item.
He then went on to refer to the unscrupulous conduct of a Club representative who disclosed
to the Press the contents of a circular letter addressed to the Chairman of each League Club, clearly
marked "Private and Confidential". He also referred to articles and statements in the Press by
responsible Club Directors criticizing the League Organization, from which the public would inevit-
ably gain the impression that such organization was decadent. He reminded all Directors and Club
Representatives that the proper place for such criticisms was this Conference or the Annual General
Meeting.
Players' The President then referred to the developments which had occurred over the week-end with
Union. regard to the Players' Union, and the Secretary read the letter which had been received on Sunday
over the telephone from the Union, in reply to the League's letter of the 9th March.
The President reported that as a result of this letter, and the fact that the Union seemed to be
prepared to adopt a more conciliatory attitude, he and the Secretary of the League had met the
Chairman and Secretary of the Union informally. As a result, the Union's ban on their members
taking part in Floodlit matches had been withdrawn and it was arranged for representatives of
the League to meet representatives of the Union in Manchester, on Friday next, 16th March, for
further talks.
Newcastle United F. C. representative, expressing his personal opinion, thought it was time
the League took the initiative with regard to the Union's "Closed Shop" policy and instructed all
the players that they must forthwith resign or withdraw from any organization which seeks to
instruct them not to carry out their obligations under their contracts.
Aldershot F. C. supported the action taken by the Management Committee.
Liverpool F. C. asked the Management Committee to insist that the first item on the Agenda in
their discussions should be that contracts between players and Club should be honoured. It
should be emphasized to the public that such contracts exist and that the Players' Union had
persuaded the players to break such contracts.
Sunderland F. C. asked whether the Clubs would be given full information before any final
agreement was arrived at, and the President confirmed that such would be the case.
Re-organi- The President stated that in presenting the so-called "five point plan" for consideration by the
zation. Clubs, the Management Committee were imbued with one motive, and that was to strengthen the
League Competition and make it more attractive to the spectator. He emphasized that the Foot-
ball Association Cup Competition was regarded as a part of the League Programme and was included
in it. Such programme was in fact approved each year at the Annual General Meeting, and the
primary function of the Clubs was to play their full part in completing that programme.
The President then asked whether any Club queried that the League Competition was the
Premier Competition and whether it could be taken for granted that all Members and Associate
Members subscribed to the pledge of loyalty. He then asked if there were any questions on this
particular point before proceeding to the suggestions for re-organization.
The President stated that the Management Committee stood by their recommendation for
Four National Divisions of 22 Clubs each with promotion and relegation of either 2 or 3 Clubs
whichever was decided by the Members.
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