Floodlighting— Arising from the previous discussion, the Clubs were informed that the General Electric
Minimum Company Limited had offered advice on Floodlight installations free of all commitments to the
Standard. Clubs and the League, and the Secretary informed the Clubs that a copy of the Company's letter
would be circulated to them as soon as possible.
The Third Division (South) representative stated that in his opinion there would have to be a
minimum standard of Floodlighting in any Competitive matches.
Stoke City F.C. asked that The Football League should inspect all Floodlighting installations
and lay down the minimum standard of lighting permissible for the playing of League matches.
Clubs complying with these standards should then have the privilege of determining kick-off times
of their Saturday Home matches up to 3 p.m. If a later kick-off was desired, permission to extend
this time up to, but not later than, 3.30 p.m., should be permitted providing that the time had
been mutually agreed by the Clubs concerned.
It was their considered opinion, from experience, that a later kick-off produced better gates.
Fixtures— West Bromwich Albion F.C. referred to the Management Committee's proposals for improving
Method of the method of Fixture making. It was an obvious improvement and they thought every Club
Compiling would support it.
Fixtures— West Bromwich Albion F.C. suggested that the time had come seriously to consider the
Abolition of advisability of discontinuing the playing of Football matches on Christmas Day. Times had
Christmas Day changed a great deal in the last 30 years, and spectators' homes had moved further and further
Fixtures. away from the Grounds. The restricted transport in some districts made it difficult and, in some
cases, impossible for spectators to get home after the match. It might be a solution for matches
to be played on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Cardiff City F.C., Tottenham Hotspur
F.C, Manchester City F.C. and Liverpool F.C. all supported the abolition of Christmas Day Fixtures.
Burnley F.C. said that in their case, the attendance on Christmas Day was one of the best of
the season, and Clubs had it in their own hands to decide whether or not they wished to play on
Christmas Day when they received the questionnaire from the Secretary with regard to next
season's fixtures.
The Third Division (South) representative stated that he was in favour of doing away with
Christmas Day Fixtures. Leicester City F.C. supported the proposal and said that they would
like to see fixtures abolished on Good Friday, too.
Minimum The Management Committee's report on the progress of the negotiations with the Players'
Retaining Union and the suggestions for increasing the Minimum Retaining Wage was received without
Wage. discussion.
Players' West Ham United F.C. stated that in their opinion Benefits had outlived their purpose. By and
Benefits and large, it was not now the loyal player who was benefiting from such payments, because players were
wages. getting Accrued Share of Benefit after one season, when they were transferred, and there were not
many Clubs who could pay the maximum benefit after 5 years' service. They suggested, as a
matter of principle, that benefits should be scrapped and an adjustment made to the maximum
wage.
Middlesbrough F.C. and the Third Division (South) representative supported the idea.
Leicester City F.C. also supported the suggestion but they thought there should still be some
recognition for the player who stays 5 years or longer with one Club.
Tax Free The President, on behalf of the Management Committee, asked the Clubs for their reactions
Benefits. with regard to Tax Free Benefits for Footballers, and stated that the Management Committee
were of the opinion that, so long as the present rule remains in existence, in its present form, there
was nothing could be done.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. stated that to give footballers tax free benefits would mean the
Club would have to pay the tax.
West Bromwich Albion F.C. said that if the previous suggestion with regard to benefits was
acted upon, this problem would solve itself.
Arsenal F.C. thought that in view of the confusion in the Income Tax Laws, if there was any
desire to pay benefits free of tax, the League should take first class legal advice.
Increase in Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. suggested an increase in the maximum wage for Full-Time
Maximum players at 17 years of age to £7 in the Close Season and £8 in the Playing Season. This would
Wage give Clubs a better chance of competing with Industry, particularly where youngsters had to leave
home and live in lodgings at the present day high rentals and cost of living.
Compensation. Chelsea F.C. stated that, in their opinion, in order to ameliorate the financial burden imposed
on Clubs by Football League Regulation 39 one-third of the amount of Compensation due in respect
of Cup postponed League matches be paid from The Football Association Cup "Pool"—such
amount not to exceed that paid into the Pool from the Cup Tie concerned. It should be borne in
mind that when the compensation rule was introduced there was no deduction from Cup Gates for
the Football Association Cup "Pool".
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