| Chapter 1 1889-1914 (page 7)
with the Club over the whole of the cross-country season. This
"new2 idea has proven to be an excellent one, but it may have been
done before. at a Committee Meeting on 24th November 1895, "it was
decided to give a prizes value £1.10/- and 4/- at the end of the season
to members who counted up the most points in the inter club races. the
Liverpool and District and the Northern Championships. Points awarded 1
to 6 positions."
The present members of the Committee are familiar with the annual
discussions about transport to the Northern and National Championships,
and the attendant problems of expense. They may find some amusement in
the following extract from the Committee Meeting on 3rd February 1896;
"A proposition was moved and carried that we send a team to compete
in the Northern Counties Cross-Country Championships, and the fares of 9
runners to be paid by the Club. Fares to Rochdale 9at 2/9 =
£1/4/9d." Even at those prices, it was probably a headache for the
Hon. Treasurer.
In the spring of the following year, a number of our members, whilst
training in Sefton Park Cricket ground, were stopped by a park-keeper
and a policeman, and with no reason was given. When this incident was
reported to the Club Committee, the Hon Secretary took up the matter
with the Parks and Gardens Committee of the Liverpool City Council. This
approach received immediate attention from the City fathers, as well as
gaining support for us from several City Councillors. at the subsequent
meeting with the Park Superintendant, the Hon Secretary was
invited to select a piece of land in Sefton Park for the purpose of
training, and he choose Farm Field. The Superintendant agreed to the
putting out of flags to define a course, and suggested that "a
canvas screen of triangular shape be purchased for runners to dress in
so that there would be no complaints of indecency". Would that we
could get such cooperation from local authority in these enlightened
times.
Whilst we know that Harriers clubs were started with winter
cross-country running as the main reason, the summer side of the sport
was also developing, and Sefton were soon involved in the regular
promotion of track meetings. For many years during this early period,
Wednesday evening handicap meetings were a regular feature, and almost
always, the programme included cycling events as well as running races.
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