evertony
Player Valuation: £50m
GOODISON SHOCK
January 10, 1952. The Liverpool Echo
Everton Director Resigns
Mr. Harold Williams Disagrees With Board on Question of Policy
Ranger’s Notes
The resignation of Mr. Harold Williams a director of Everton, which was considered and accepted at Tuesday night’s meeting of the board, but not announced yesterday at the time the co-option of Mr. C. E. Balmforth was made public is the sequel to a special meeting of the board held last October. This meeting took place on Monday afternoon, October 29, a week after an Open Letter” to the board in this column and two days after an article which put some searching questions to the directors. The gathering which was held without the usual attendance of paid officials was accompanied by much plain speaking. Other directors besides Mr. Harold Williams expressed their anxiety at the club’s precarious position. At the conclusion Mr. Harold Williams –who is not related to the club’s chairman Mr. W.R. Williams –tendered his resignation. At the urgent request of his colleagues, however, and in order to avoid a split at a time when the club’s position was so fraught with danger he agreed to reconsider the matter. On January 1 he wrote to the chairman confirming his earlier decision and asked the board this time to consider his resignation as final. On seeing no mention of this in the announcement last night of Mr. Balmforth’s co-option , Mr. Williams made public his letter of resignation, which reads;-
“After having given the matter long and serious consideration I herewith tender my resignation from the board of Everton F.C. It is a wrench to sever my official connection with Everton after so many years as supporter member, shareholders and directors but I cannot agree with a policy that sub-ordinated the winning of promotion to a theoretical five year plan. “I think the present manager has resigned quite long enough in sole command, and I for one do not feel inclined to continue as a director under a regime in which directors are directors in name only.” When I spoke to Mr. Williams this morning he said, “My interest in Everton had been completely killed by the way things have been going over the past couple of years. I feel strongly that we need not have suffered relegation had the problem been tackled in the right manner.” Mr. Williams declined to add anything further “I have said all I want to say.” He remarked. “I would now prefer that the matter died a natural dealth.” He finally added however that his resignation had nothing to do with his health which for a long time has not been good, and that he had not” fallen out” with any members of the board.
“Chairman’s Statement
When I spoken to Mr. W. R. Williams, Everton, chairman regarding the non-announcement yesterday of Mr. Harold Williams resignation, he said there was a sound reason for this. After the resignation had been accepted,” he stated “I telephoned Mr. Williams to the effect and advised him that I did not intend to make the matter public until a formal letter expressing our regret –which was posted yesterday –had reached him, I did not wish him to think that we were in any hurry or to see it in the Press before he had our official acceptance. Mr. Williams expressed his personal regret at his namesake’s decision but said he had told him he would always be welcome at Goodison Park and that if the club could be of being so, him at any time he must not hesitate to say so.
Filling The Vacancy
When I asked the chairman what the board proposed to do regarding this further vacancy he replied that it would probably be filled in due course by a further co-option. Answering a further question regarding an old promise to the shareholders –made several years ago following protests at the annual meeting – that in future the board would refrain from co-option Mr. Williams explained that had the vacancies caused by Mr. Fred Lake’s death and the present resignation been held over it would have meant that five positions would have had to be filled by election at the next annual meeting. “To my mind that is not a position that a club by Everton’s standing should be faced with “he continued. “We have been passing through a parlous time of much anxiety and we feel that it is best for the club that this remaining vacancy should be filled as soon as possible. We shall probably announce the co-option of a new director within the next month or so.
Everton Team Unchanged
Everton will field an unchanged team against Leyton Orient with Lindley continuing at centre half Jones is still unfit. Teams;- Everton; Leyland; Clinton, Lindsay; Donovan, Lindley, Farrell; McNamara, Fielding, Hickson, Parker, Eglington.
The players are all in good spirits and though by no means prone to belittle the calibre of the opposition, there is a general feeling in the dressing room that Everton’s name will figure in the fourth round. Though cup topics have pushed other matters into the background lately. Everton followers are taking an interest in the affairs of the second team. The chances of the Central League championship landing at Goodison Park are bright. Reserve team gates have been improving lately, and there should be a good crowd on Saturday to see the Blues’s second string oppose Manchester City Reserves. At the moment Everton are back on top of the Central league table.
January 10, 1952. The Liverpool Echo
Everton Director Resigns
Mr. Harold Williams Disagrees With Board on Question of Policy
Ranger’s Notes
The resignation of Mr. Harold Williams a director of Everton, which was considered and accepted at Tuesday night’s meeting of the board, but not announced yesterday at the time the co-option of Mr. C. E. Balmforth was made public is the sequel to a special meeting of the board held last October. This meeting took place on Monday afternoon, October 29, a week after an Open Letter” to the board in this column and two days after an article which put some searching questions to the directors. The gathering which was held without the usual attendance of paid officials was accompanied by much plain speaking. Other directors besides Mr. Harold Williams expressed their anxiety at the club’s precarious position. At the conclusion Mr. Harold Williams –who is not related to the club’s chairman Mr. W.R. Williams –tendered his resignation. At the urgent request of his colleagues, however, and in order to avoid a split at a time when the club’s position was so fraught with danger he agreed to reconsider the matter. On January 1 he wrote to the chairman confirming his earlier decision and asked the board this time to consider his resignation as final. On seeing no mention of this in the announcement last night of Mr. Balmforth’s co-option , Mr. Williams made public his letter of resignation, which reads;-
“After having given the matter long and serious consideration I herewith tender my resignation from the board of Everton F.C. It is a wrench to sever my official connection with Everton after so many years as supporter member, shareholders and directors but I cannot agree with a policy that sub-ordinated the winning of promotion to a theoretical five year plan. “I think the present manager has resigned quite long enough in sole command, and I for one do not feel inclined to continue as a director under a regime in which directors are directors in name only.” When I spoke to Mr. Williams this morning he said, “My interest in Everton had been completely killed by the way things have been going over the past couple of years. I feel strongly that we need not have suffered relegation had the problem been tackled in the right manner.” Mr. Williams declined to add anything further “I have said all I want to say.” He remarked. “I would now prefer that the matter died a natural dealth.” He finally added however that his resignation had nothing to do with his health which for a long time has not been good, and that he had not” fallen out” with any members of the board.
“Chairman’s Statement
When I spoken to Mr. W. R. Williams, Everton, chairman regarding the non-announcement yesterday of Mr. Harold Williams resignation, he said there was a sound reason for this. After the resignation had been accepted,” he stated “I telephoned Mr. Williams to the effect and advised him that I did not intend to make the matter public until a formal letter expressing our regret –which was posted yesterday –had reached him, I did not wish him to think that we were in any hurry or to see it in the Press before he had our official acceptance. Mr. Williams expressed his personal regret at his namesake’s decision but said he had told him he would always be welcome at Goodison Park and that if the club could be of being so, him at any time he must not hesitate to say so.
Filling The Vacancy
When I asked the chairman what the board proposed to do regarding this further vacancy he replied that it would probably be filled in due course by a further co-option. Answering a further question regarding an old promise to the shareholders –made several years ago following protests at the annual meeting – that in future the board would refrain from co-option Mr. Williams explained that had the vacancies caused by Mr. Fred Lake’s death and the present resignation been held over it would have meant that five positions would have had to be filled by election at the next annual meeting. “To my mind that is not a position that a club by Everton’s standing should be faced with “he continued. “We have been passing through a parlous time of much anxiety and we feel that it is best for the club that this remaining vacancy should be filled as soon as possible. We shall probably announce the co-option of a new director within the next month or so.
Everton Team Unchanged
Everton will field an unchanged team against Leyton Orient with Lindley continuing at centre half Jones is still unfit. Teams;- Everton; Leyland; Clinton, Lindsay; Donovan, Lindley, Farrell; McNamara, Fielding, Hickson, Parker, Eglington.
The players are all in good spirits and though by no means prone to belittle the calibre of the opposition, there is a general feeling in the dressing room that Everton’s name will figure in the fourth round. Though cup topics have pushed other matters into the background lately. Everton followers are taking an interest in the affairs of the second team. The chances of the Central League championship landing at Goodison Park are bright. Reserve team gates have been improving lately, and there should be a good crowd on Saturday to see the Blues’s second string oppose Manchester City Reserves. At the moment Everton are back on top of the Central league table.
