[MEETING OF GROUND COMMITTEE HELD AT GOODISON PARK MONDAY, 14TH MARCH 1960] Present:- Mr. J. C. Sharp (Chair) and Messrs C. E. Balmforth and J. Taylor. The Committee met and considered the two reports from En-Tout-Cas. The first, in brief, stated that the only real solution to the problem would be to completely relay the ground with the proviso that remedial measures would improve the ground considerably, the cost of the latter being approximately £3,000 to £4,000. The second report received today, a copy of which the Directors have, is considerably altered in tone and they now say that if their suggested remedial measures are taken there would be an enormous improvement in the drainage. In view of the financial position of the club the committee recommend that they should be given authority to: (a) Adopt the remedial measures arrived at after joint consultation with En-Tout-Cas and Mr. Prior of Sutton & Sons Limited and complete arrangements as soon as possible at a cost of approximately £3,000 to £4,000. (b) Have the soil warming wires removed in consultation with Mr. Wallwork of MANWEB. One thing is certain that in all deliberations the conclusion has been reached that it will be quite impossible to obtain a well drained ground while the wires are present. It is appreciated that the Club have received much favourable publicity in having a ground that can be played on however frosty the weather might be. Nevertheless if one is to be realistic it is considered that a well drained ground is more important than ensuring that there is no possibility of a few matches not being played next season. Mr. Wallwork of MANWEB has reached the conclusion that he is not really confident about the condition of any of the wires and is in favour of their removal. It is not known how much could be salvaged but the manufacturers of the cable have offered to test all that which is removed. Taking it at itsworst the cost of new wires would be £1200 plus the cost involved for replacing them in the ground. It is understood that the wires can be put back by mole plough at any time and it might well be that if the ground's behaviour is such that it is merited, the soil warming wires could be re-introduced next season J. C. S.