 However, the ground came into the possession of the club's former president, Mr W. Crompton, in 1898, allowing them to make whatever improvements to it they desired.One report in the Manchester Courier predicted the addition of a tall stand on the side adjacent to Bank Street itself, with a refreshment stand underneath, while the opposite stand would be moved back and raised up on brickwork by around , with the space underneath to be used as changing rooms for the players and referee and various rooms for the club committee.These improvements would cost a lot of money, however, and this, in combination with the players' ever-increasing wages, sent the club into a period of financial turmoil.