77
ordered to be sent to the League.
The Leaguers in Secret Conclave.
The representatives of so many as 37 of
The League clubs met within closed doors
at Birmingham on Friday afternoon, to
consider the proposal made by Mr. Bent-
ley in pursuance of the circular which
appeared in last Monday's "Athletic
News." Besides the representatives of
the clubs, all the members of the Manage-
ment Committee, except Dr. Baxter,
were present, so that this private and in-
formal meeting was quite a full dress
rehearsal. It should be mentioned, how-
ever, that Mr. Lewis, who is a member
of the F. A. Finance Committee dealing
with clubs, after a few opening remarks
left the meeting.
Loyalty to the Football Association.
Mr. Bentley presided, and in a most
decided manner impressed upon the
representatives the desirability of ending
the present deadlock and promoting
peace. A long and interesting discussion
followed, but only one opinion was ex-
pressed—that the action of the President
of The League was the best course to be
taken, and that representatives should
sign an undertaking to be sent to the
F. A., and that this should be honestly
kept. The following resolution was then
carried nem. con.: —
That the clubs here represented hereby
accept the amnesty suggested by the Foot-
ball Association in the letter to The Foot-
ball League on July 15 last, provided such
amnesty be made applicable as from this
date, and the undersigned do hereby pledge
their respective clubs to loyally support the
F. A., and honourably observe its rules.
Such acceptance of an amnesty is not in
any sense an admission of breach of rule
on the part of any club, and must not pre-
judice the right of any club represented to
use any and every constitutional means to
obtain such alterations in the F. A. rules
as they shall think desirable hereafter.
This resolution was signed by all the
clubs represented, except Sheffield United
and Sheffield Wednesday, whose represen-
tatives were in favour of the proposition,
but their authority did not extend to
signing any document. Nottingham
Forest, Blackpool, and Tottenham Hot-
spur were not present, but there is no
doubt they will fall in with the proposi-
tion, so that it will, no doubt, become the
unanimous decision of the 40 League
clubs,
Amongst those speaking were Messrs.
W. A. Wilkinson, W. Cuff, F. W. Rinder,
O. E. Sutcliffe, J. McKenna, W. I. Bas-
sett, T. Houghton, W. Hart, T. H.
Sidney, Nield, and W. Sissons.
The Doctor's report was read.
The Trainer made his report.
Team v Berry
Bury R. Balmer Maconnachie
Adamson Taylor Makepeace
Sharp Coleman Freeman Young Barlow
Dawson Reserve
