South Yorkshire Times, July 28th, 1951
Denaby United Have First Spell of Training
Four Denaby United first team players– newly signed – Roy Cooling, Alf Lee, Roy McGuinness and Geoff Mayhall (picture) , were among those who reported for the first spell of training at the ground on Tuesday. Manager Matt Taylor said that other players were unable to turn up because they were either on holiday or on the wrong shift.
Under the supervision of coach George Hare, they sprinted, trotted round the field, skipped and did various exercise while Mayhall was put through his paces between two temporary goal posts, rigged up at the edge of the field. After this training they all ended up with a piping hot bath in the changing room and those who wished received a massage from trainer Jack Scott and electric treatment.
Jim Pikett is trainer for the second team, which will be in charge of Mr. Arthur Roberts.
Mr. Taylor told me that Hibberd and Williams were on holiday and Mervyn Law was on “afternoons” whilst Jack Rowney is doing his training at Barnsley. Platts and Boardman have not yet re-signed, Edwards will not be playing with the club this season as he has joined the police force at Grimsby. Former centre-forward, Bernard Saxton, who joined Peterborough will do his training at Denaby.
New signings who attended the initial training spell were Terry Hutton, a left-half from Bentley, E. Bucknell a centre-half from Kilnhurst, who was on Leeds United’s books before joining the forces, and Fred Fenton, formerly of Doncaster Y.M.C.A. Among other players attending the ground were members of Tom Hill Youth Club which has been adopted as nursery to second team.
Mr. Taylor said that he was extremely hopeful of signing a well-known second division player very shortly, but a contract cannot be signed until the players League contract expires at the end of this week.
The long-postponed benefit match for former player-captain, Fred Osborne, against Grimsby Town will take place in September and the match against Doncaster Rovers will be played later in the season. A practice game between chosen teams will be played next Saturday (4th August at 5pm) and another match between promising lads who wish to play will be held on the following Monday. Anyone wishing to try should contact Mr. Taylor Mr. Robert or Mr. T. Stones.
The playing field is in excellent condition, while repairs have been made to the stand, which suffered £17 damage a few weeks ago, when it was found smoldering.