FOOTBALL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 87, 21 March 1931, Page 7

FOOTBALL

• *&*• THE STRATFORD CLUB ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCESHEET The report and balance-sheet to he presented to the forty-first annual general meeting of members of the Stratford Rugby Football Club in the Gymnasium, Orlando Street, on Monday next at «S p.m., are as follow: — On the field the club had a very successful season, but financially the season was disappointing. After allowing £2l Is 9d for depreciation, the income and expenditure account shows a loss of £32 12s 4d, against a profit of £2 6s 5d last year. The loss is due to the large decrease in senior gates, the club only receiving £3O 3s 5(1, against £BO 0s 2d last year. Working expenses have been kept down to a minimum. Travelling expenses show an increase of £lO, due to the Central Junior Competition being played in one division against two last year. Membership.—The membership of the club and subscriptions are about the same as last year. As only financial members received benefits under the Union's Accident Scheme, subscriptions were paid much more promptly than in other years. Senior Grade. —The senior team, of which Messrs. R. Wood and .1. D. A. Mackay were the selectors, and Mr; R. Fryday the coach, were runnersup to Old Boys in the Northern Division. The team was a credit to its coach, being very fit and playing good football. Mr. W. J. Aitken made an efficient manager. Our teams are to be congratulated on taking the field well up to time during the season. The club wishes to congratulates the following,' who represented !.he province:—Messrs. A. Kivell, J. Walter, E. N. Owen, A. Collins, J. Young, R. Bond and R. Smith. To Old Boys the club offers its congratulations on winning the Senior Championship.

First Juniors. —The First Juniors, who were coached by Mr. F. Nolan, won the Central Division, but were defeated in the first semi-final by the Hawera Wednesday team, who eventualy won the Taranaki Championship.

Third Grade—The Third Grade, who were coached by Mr. W. J. Sharrock, were runners-up to Inglewood, being defeated in the final game against them, having previously played three drawn games. Fourth Grade. —Mr. R. L. Wynyard. who was coach of this team, had difficulty in getting a suitable night for training, and consequently the team was not able to get the coaching so necessary in a low grade. Under the circumstances they did very well, fulfilling all their engagements during the season and showing much improved form in the second round. Gymnasium.—This was used to greater advantage than previously by the Senior and Third Grade teams, but there is room for improvement in the other grades. The annual ball was the most successful yet held, and the club desires to place on record the efforts of the ladies, who so ably assisted toward its success. To the playing members, who practically ran the function, credit is due for the manner in which it was conducted. The club held a smoke concert at the end of the season, which was a financial success, but the support, given by members was disappointing. The club desires to thank the honorary surgeons, Drs. Gordon and Steven, and the members of the St. John Ambulance, for the services rendefed to injured players during the season.

To Mrs. W. J. Aitken the club extends its thanks for the very efficient manner in which she attended to the washing and mending of the jerseys. The club wishes to thank Mr. R. Wood for his donation toward the smoke concert. During the season Mr. Alf. Petrie donated a fine cup to the club for annual competition in the Third Grade team. The club desires to thank him for his donation. The cup is for the most improved player, and to Rex Harkness, the first winner, the club extends its congratulations. The statement of accounts for the year ended February 28, 1931, is as follows:

Receipts.—Honorary members' subscriptions, £7 7s; playing members' subscriptions, £2B 5s 6d; gate's, Stratford CliTTi senior matches, £lls 14s 6d; Celtic Club senior matches, £3B; representation'* matches, £216 4k (sri; junior matches, £l3 12s 6d; account, senior matches from T.R.U., £3O 3s sd; nomination fees, £4 4s; rent of gymnasium, £5 10s; smoke concert, £10; funds raised, £2B 2s 9d; bank overdraft on February 28, 1931, £lO4 16s lOd; total, £OOI lis.

Payments.—Bunk overdraft on Ist March, 1930, £7!) 0a !)d; seniorgat.es to union, £153 14s 6d; representa-tive-gates lo union, £216 4s 6d; nomination fees, £7 10s 6d; secretary's honorarium, £lO 10s; jerseys, balls, etc., £l2 16s sd; stationery and advertising, £6 7s; insurance, £2 10s 9d; account junior gates to Celtic and Toko, 15s 6d; Avages gatemen, etc., £7 17s 3d; rent of grounds, etc., £7 14s lid; light and heating, £9 3s 6d; additions to equipment, £3 10s; engraving medals, 18s; postages, bureaux, etc., £6 13s; bank interest and charges, £7 15s 6d; smoke concoret, £8 12s lid; travelling- expenses, £5!) 16s; total, £6Ol lltJ.