Sefton Harriers A Centenary History
1889-1999
Norman Wilson

Records show the annual Good Friday meeting was regarded as very important, and was given a high priority in the business of the Club. these meetings were usually joint ventures with other clubs. Liverpool Harriers, Pembroke and even Liverpool Leek Cycling Club and East Liverpool Wheelers, were our partners at differing times. From time to time there was dissension between the promoting clubs, and one year we fell out with Pembroke who wanted to take two-thirds of the gate money. Sefton insisted on having half. There was obviously a great deal of prestige at stake in the Good Friday meeting. Each year Sefton, Pembroke and Liverpool would try to be the first to apply for, and be granted the permit from the N.C.A.A, and also book the ground.
During this period there was a constant battle to keep one's club in funds, and these Meetings were one of the main sources of income. Crowds of a considerable size were anticipated to come and pay at the gate. thousands of handbills were printed and distributed, and all officials were paid. The following details relate to the Evening Handicap Meeting in May 1901.
Paid Officials

Amongst the varied athletics activities that Sefton were involved in, the discipline of race-walking emerged, and for several years was included in these meetings. we did produce one very successful walker; in 1912 our own R.Wilkinson was a member of the British Olympic team.
It is interseting to note that during the period dealt with in this chapter, venues of Committee Meetings and general Meeting were many, but not so varied. They were mostly in public houses. The Brook House Smithdown Rd, Bee Hotel St John's Lane, Star and Garter Queens Square, Travellers Rest Aigburth Vale, the Park Road Cocoa Rooms (perhaps the abstainers were in the ascendancy then) and the Coffee House Hotel Wavertree.

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