South Yorkshire Times — April 26, 1952
Denaby Mark Fifty Years in Midland League
Denaby United’s Golden Jubilee dinner on Friday, marking 50 years’ membership of the Midland League, was an occasion for plain speaking. The club was short of £600 a year, said Mr. J. Halford, and yet the club had nothing to be ashamed of except the shamefully low “gates.” Subsequent speakers challenged the difficulties in spirited fashion, and expressed the club’s determination to go forward and keep the game alive in Denaby.
Proposing a toast to Denaby United F.C., Mr. A. N. Davis (deputising for Mr. W. Asbury, who was unable to attend owing to the short notice of invitation) read a letter from Mr. Asbury in which reference was made to the grand players produced by Denaby in the past. During his association with the club about £5,000 had been brought in by transfers—which reflected great credit on a mining town.
Replying, Mr. J. Halford, agent for Denaby and Cadeby Collieries and a Trustee of Denaby Miners’ Welfare, said despite their plight Denaby United had nothing to be ashamed of except that shamefully low “gates” for the standard of football served up.
“What did the people of Denaby want?” he asked. They had one of the best football committees in the district, with an exceptionally enthusiastic chairman and officials, a good Supporters’ Club and a fine team of triers. “We have a good ground and some loyal and lion-hearted supporters, but remember we are up against League reserve teams with their professional backing and, naturally, clubs from large towns such as Mansfield, Peterborough and Scarborough, and we find ourselves up against good opposition,” he said.
Owing to the general increase in world prices, the Club were short of about £600 a year income. However, the “lion hearted” committee had entered Denaby for the Midland League again next season, and he hoped they would have every support.
In the absence of Mr. S. Peck, Mr. A. Roberts proposed “The Guests”, and said he would have liked to have seen some of the pioneers of Denaby United at the dinner.
Superintendent G. L. Smith, of Grimsby Police Force, replied, and spoke of the happy link formed by Roy Edwards’ move from Denaby to Grimsby.
Mr. C. Sanderson (chairman) asserted that Denaby United would not be taken over by any other club in the district. “We have the tenacity to go forward and win our way through,” he said, commenting on the fine work of the Supporters’ Club. He said the Denaby Club had benefited by £200 from supporters’ activities.