Application for Football League 1966 (Image 4)
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dances in excess of 10,000 - this at a time when interest can be expected to wane after a long , hard season . In addition , we take considerable support with us for away fixtures , and this would automatically increase if we gained membership of the League . We think it reasonable to point out that , as we operate in the North Regional League , our big attendances are for matches against the RESERVE sides of Football League clubs . This , in itself , is an indication of the manner of support we would receive if we possessed League status . Naturally , our attendances which , brought down to averages , are bigger than many League clubs - are attracted by a successful club , and in the season just ended we broke two standing records in the North Regional League . Never theless , our club is geared in every possible way to accept League status if we were honoured by your support . - We acknowledge that membership of the League involves greater expense including considerably increased travelling expenses , but this we can assure would in no way embarrass us . We receive considerable revenue from our attendances while our thriving Supporters ' Club and Auxiliary Associa tion give us their 100 per cent . support . The Supporters ' Club possess luxurious headquarters , situated at our Simonside Hall ground , which they designed themselves and had built at a cost of nearly £ 30,000 . Their membership is strong and is another integral part of the football set - up in South Shields . Sir Stanley Matthews has considered our club worthy enough to warrant a foreword ; we can also claim the solid support of our great neighbours , Sunderland and Newcastle United . We have received many expressions of support from League clubs and we will repeat here our claim that if we did not feel we possessed an honest case for League status , we would not presume upon your time , or to waste our own . As far as team management is concerned , we have a 4 manager who could take the step from non - league to Foot ball League with greater ease and with more knowledge than most . He is Mr. Alf McMichael , for 13 years a player with Newcastle United , during which time he won 39 inter national caps for Northern Ireland , and he captained his country on 20 occasions . He is completely aware of the needs of a modern League club and my Board of Directors give him complete charge of all team affairs . So highly do we rate him , that only recently we took the opportunity to offer him his second three - year contract with us - which , we are delighted to say , he accepted . Mr. McMichael has retained all his playing staff , but if we were to gain League status he would be ready at a moment's notice to augment his list of players if he thought it necessary . It should be pointed out that our club does not rely upon veteran professionals ; our playing staff is a young but experienced one , our players undergo training sessions identical to those in operation at League clubs , and they would , we are sure , acquit themselves with credit in the League . From every aspect South Shields Football Club is ready to accept the honour of membership of the Football League . I appeal to you , Sir , for your support for our application at the forthcoming annual general meeting of the League in London . The very best of good fortune to you and your club in the seasons that lie ahead . J. T. W. LEIGHTON , Chairman . 5 |
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