STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 76, 26 March 1912, Page 5

STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING, A well-attended'’ meeting of *'• the members of ,tW vStratfdrd 1 f ootball Club was hela‘in,‘the Bctfdtigh Council Chambers last . Mr. R. H; Cameron was in - 'the ‘ chair, Mr. E. ri. Young being ’the hectetary pro tern ill the absence "of'Mibß.'.P- Brown, jvho has left ,!T •' ,-TI "-‘V The annual report stated that the committee were very gratified to be in a position to announce that the season had been an unqualified success. “This was dfie'hot'only 'to the enthusiastic support accorded by the public, but also' l to the animated spirit displayed by members. The club commenced with a credit balance of £4T»7s,'ahd'laftdr discharging all usual expenditure for the season, wound up tvith!' accredit balance of £SB 8s Id Jit-will therefore.* be seen that the oastl season!resulted, in a net profit of £l7 Os 3d,;which is extremely co+iQfnp+nrv • - . *.} 1 Another matter for congratulation is the fact, .that players’ subscriptions show a marked increase as compared with the. previous year. With very few exceptions every playing member was financial, and it is sincerely hoped that, in this direction, the approaching season will eclipse, if not surpass, the past year. „ Prior-to the commencement of the season the Committee successfully negotiated with the A. ad P. Association for the use of the Association’s grounds. Consequently these grounds were the venue of all matches, and the change was greeted with universal favour. The oval ring provides a splendid playing field, the surface is dry, level, and-nicely turfed, and the commodious grandstand is most convenient both to players and to patrons. Three. teams were entered for cup competitions, and of these the second juniors were most successful, although the first.juniors and the seniors occupied prominent;positions. The seniors were runners-up for the division, and a similar position was occupied by the first juniors. The first juniors are to be complimented on their wonderful recovery, haying risen from the lowest position in the competition to the_ position of runners-up. The second juniors were triumphant in carrying off honours for the division, but in the final they were compelled to bow to defeat. The success of the first and second juniors:is in a large measure due to the courtesy, energy, and ability of their selector, Mr. R. G. Harkness. ■ ~ , . ‘ , The committee, wishes soecially to thank all those who so kindly donated medals and tronhies for competition amongst members. These medals and trophies were duly presented at the annual smoke concert held in August last. _ , ~ . The committee also wishes to thank members for their quiet, orderly, and exemplary behaviour both on and oft the field. A special word of praise is also due to the enthusiastic country members, many of whom have to journey long distances under trying conditions. . . , . ~ The club is unfortunate in losing the services of its energetic secretary, Mr. R. D. Brown, and the meeting will be called upon to elect a secretary, and also to elect officers for the ensuing year. For the committee, E. H. Young (chairman).” The balance-sheet showed receipts £BO 3s‘(gate £27 14s sd, subs. £9 7s 6d) and expenditure £2l 16s lid, leaving a balance of assets over liabilities of £SB 8s Id. On the motion of Mr. Cameron, seconded by Mr. Campbell Jackson, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Thirteen new members were elected. Officers were elected as follow; Patronj'Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P.; president, Mr. T. C. Fookes; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. F. W*. Webster. R. H. Cameron, S. H. James, D. J. Malone; E. B. Stohr, H. Good. J. Masters, E. Jackson) and W. Collins; club captain, Mr. R. Masters; delegates to T,R.U , Senior, Mr. D. J. Malone, junior, Mr. R. Masters; secretary, Mr. Fearoh; treasurer, Mr . C. H. Potts; committee, Messrs Edgcumbe, C. Jackson, R. G. Harkness, A. H. O’Leary, R. Wood, E. B. Stohr; selectors (senior). Messrs. R. Masters, B. Fearon, J. Thomas, and.(junior) R. G, Harkness.

Mr. R. Masters moved that Messrs. Malone and Skoglund be a committtee to wait on tho officers in charge of the Territorials to arrange the dates lor parades so that they would not clash with cup fixtures. In speaking to the motion, Mr. Masters said that last year tho Territorial parades clashed with the fixtures, and this disorganised the play to a certain extent. He felt sure that if the matter was put before the officers in charge they r would do their utmost to arrange the parades throughout Taranaki so that they would not clash with the cup fixtures. Mr. Campbell Jackson seconded the motion, which was then carried. Votes of thanks wore passed to donors of medals, among whom were Messrs. Mullen and .Marshall, C. Jackson, and Mrs. Richmond. Mr. Masters brought up the question of donating trophies to all-round players. He considered that this was very unsatisfactory, inasmuch that a man might be a really good forward, or another man a really good bad;, but neither of those players would obtain tiie medal, simply because be was not an all-round player, a man might obtain this medal being a very ordinary player, but being able to play in different positions in the team. After some discussion Mr. Jackson notified that he would give his trophy for, the best player in the team either back or forward. On the motion of Mr. Masters, seconded by Mr. Young, it was decided to thank Messrs. C. Jackson, T. O. Fookcs, and Mrs. Richmond, foi; donations. Mr. Thompson referred to the valuable services and the great loss sustained by the departure of Messrs. Melville and Brown. He moved that these gentlemen be written to and thanked for their services, and that the same be placed on record.—Carried. ■The matter of erecting a gymnasium for the use ox players was referred to by Mr. Dan Malone. He mentioned the fact that it would be supported by the public generally, as well as the players, to whom it would be most beneficial in their training/preparation. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. R. H. Cameron, J. Thomas, E. G. Harkness, R. Masters, E. Jackson, D. J. Malone, and the secretary, was appointed to enquire into the matter of acquiring suitable land on which to erect the gymnasium, and to report 10, a general meeting at a later date. Votes of thanks to the outgoing committee, to the delegates to the Union, and to the chair, concluded tho meeting. . At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. E. B. Stohr was elected chairman. The opening day was fixed .for 18th April. ’ 1