Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 14 April 1933
All’s Well At Denaby
Gratifying Position Reported
While other Midland League clubs are in low water, Denaby United, it was reported at the annual meeting on Sunday, are in quite a sound position.
They finished the season with a useful balance in hand despite the fact that they lost money on the Sheffield Senior Cup competition which they won.
Mr. Ben Kelly presided, and Mr. Percy Harrison, the secretary-manager, in his report, said they had passed through a pleasant year compared with the previous season. Once again they reached the first round pro per of the F.A. Cup, travelling to Carlisle only to be beaten 1-0 after putting up a game light. They were tenth in the Midland League, only two non-Football League clubs being above them. The club had already 41 points, 7 more than at the end of last season, and there were six more matches to play in, including three home games.
The team had proved capable of holding its own with any in the league, having taken points from eight Football League reserve teams.
They had won the Sheffield Senior Challenge Cup for the first time since 1910. The principal goalscorers were Adams 32 (18 M.L. and 14 in cup ties). Walker 28 (22 and 4), Haggear 10 (5 and 5), Black 9 (7 and 2), and Siddall 7 (5 and 2).
“The players have been most loyal and I have never handled a better lot. They have been backed up by a good committee,” he concluded.
Mr. Kelly also expressed appreciation of the players’ efforts.
Mr. A. Davis, the financial secretary submitted a balance sheet which included cash in hand at the beginning of the year amounting to £14 12s. 4d. Other items of revenue were: Midland League gate receipts £554 9s. 6d., F. A. Cup gates receipts £188 13s. 4d.; share of “gate , for the Carlisle cup tie £151 13s. 4d.; Sheffield Challenge Cup gate receipts £64 9s. 6d.; workmen’s contributions £525 ; transfer fee (Brannan), £150; subscriptions £53 8s.; the total income being £1,759 13s. 11d.
Expenditure included: Midland League wages and expenses, £986 65.; F.A. Cup wages and expenses £207 2s. 4d; Sheffield Challenge Cup £89 12s. 6d.; rates and taxes, etc., £186 1s. 4d: shares of F.A. Cup gates to other clubs. £69 4s. 7d.; share of Sheffield Challenge Cup gates to other clubs, £31 15s. 5d. The balance for the year ending March 31st was £15.
Officials elected were: President, Mr. L. C. Hodges; secretary-manager Mr. Harrison; financial secretary, Mr. A. Davis: chairman of committee, Mr. Ben Kelly; committee. Messrs. J. Sabin, W. Harris, J. Richards, A. Westlake (senior), G. Guest. E. Tibbles. Harrison. A. Westlake (junior), J. Hagger, W. Hingley, H. Humphries, W. Linstead, A. Senior, F. Garfitt, A. Hooley, H. Jackson R. H. Shepherd. A. Race, E. Walker, J. Denman, J. W. Darby E. Hadfield, D. Shepherd, A. Hough, R. Adams and R. King. Letters of thanks are to be sent to the Denaby and Y.M.A. branches, Dr. J. McArthur, Denaby United Supporters’ Club, Mrs. Buckley, and the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Company.
Thanks to all the employee+ of Denaby and Cadeby Collieries their contributions were also expressed.
Amidst all the talk of resignations and crises from so many of the non-Football League Midland League clubs, the satisfactory state of affairs reported at the annual meeting of the Denaby United club last weekend makes very cheerful reading. The balance of £15 though comparatively small is eminently satisfactory when so many clubs are complaining of deficits. The two factors which I mentioned last week as being practically essential to the welfare of the smaller clubs a good run in the F.A. Cup and a useful transfer fee, have had much to do with Denaby’s success.
The transfer of Brannan to the Arsenal at the end of last season brought in £150, and the team’s successful Cup campaign resulted in a profit of approximately £64. This, however, was to some extent offset by a loss of £56 on the Sheffield Senior Cup competition, which ironically enough. Denaby won, and but for the astute guidance of Mr. Percy Harrison, the secretary-manager, in playing matters and Mr. Arthur Davis, the financial secretary, in questions of finance, not to mention the steady work of Mr. Ben Kelly and his committee, the club might not be so well situated.
Of course, Denaby have an advantage over clubs like Mexboro’ and Wombwell in that they receive over £5OO per annum in contributions from the local colliery workmen, and the extent to which this allocation is appreciated was rightly emphasised at Sunday’s meeting.
Still, in view of the difficulties being experienced by Frickley, a club run on similar lines, Denaby can feel justifiable gratification in their position.