Summary and aftermath 1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season

aston villa s old grandstand in place terrace cover @ muntz street end of coventry road ground

there little turnover of players during close season. ambitious , well-funded bristol city, newly elected southern league 1897–98 season, signed both jones , farnall on attractive terms, reported £5 sign, 50s. during playing season , 30s. in summer. abbott have gone mr. hart, president, took action in nick of time. farnall, doubtful whether have been re-engaged, jones s loss regretted, developing smart forward. charlie izon left walsall, , denny hodgetts, had been reinstated amateur, offered services, not promise play them regularly , offer declined. dart s initial opinion standard of replacement hodgetts, had been reinstated amateur, jones , farnall – 2 or 3 players have done local clubs have been signed up, , smart left-wing forward in kirton, of lincoln city, has been secured  – directors preferred spend money on ground improvements, in shape of purchase of aston villa s old stands perry barr ground, rather on stars , these inadequate return club first division. having seen new additions, changed mind. small heath ground presents quite imposing appearance adorned old perry barr grand stand, , there plenty of covered accommodation spectators gates should materially increase , , though hodgetts missed, jack kirton appears smart player, while other new men secured far being duffers , , apart jones , farnall, whole of other first team players last season have signed again, , there no reason why heathens should not render account of next season.