South Yorkshire Times March 6, 1948
Players and officials in this photograph of Denaby United’s team in the 1906-07 season are:
(Left to right) back row, Thompson, Welsh, Hancock, Lawley (captain), Turner (trainer), and Mr Tom Peters (secretary); middle row, Nimrod, Lees and Westwood; front row, Brocklehurst, Hunter, Hopkinson, Harrop and Eyre.
Through the courtesy of Mr W Astbury, old Denaby stalwart, we are able to reproduce the accompanying photograph of Denaby’s team in 1906 – 07 and Mr Astbury has also provided some additional details. At that time Mr Astbury (seen in the photograph on the left) was a committee man, but later he became financial secretary.
Of the players on the photograph T. Tomkins died in Mexborough a few years ago; Westwood was killed in the great War; Welsh was killed at Manvers Main some years ago; Nimrod is living at Denaby in retirement, aged 68; Hancock (centre) is in retirement at Conisbrough; and Lawley at Denaby.
Mr Astbury has no idea of the whereabouts of Leess, Brocklehurst, Hunter, Hopkinson, Harrop and Eyre.
Mr Tom Peters, brother of Mr Tim Peters, emigrated in Canada some 40 years ago, but is expected in England this year to visit relatives. Mr. Richard Dunn, manager of the team and father of Mr. R. Dunn, Conisbrough’s Food Executive Officer, died many years ago, but Mr. Ernest Robinson (father of Ellis Robinson, Yorkshire county cricketer), who was Denaby’s first Midland League referee 38 years ago, is living in Conisbrough. Harry Mason, of Conisbrough, was Denaby’s chief scout for many years.
Harrop (seen In the photograph) went to Rotherham Town after leaving Denaby and was transferred to Liverpool and later captained the side. He next joined Aston Villa, where he played for several seasons and captained the team.
Nimrod joined Denaby from Barnsley in 1903-4 and remained with the club until his playing days were over; Johnnie Lavery (inside left), from Jarrow, after playing one season at Barnsley, arrived at Denaby during the 1904-5 season. He was considered one of the best forwards in the Midland League and after two seasons with Denaby he was transferred to Leeds City.
Heptinstall (outside left) and Marshall (full back) went to Swindon without any fee being paid;
Leslie Hoften and “Dido” Blackburn were both transferred to Glossop, then a Second Division club and Hoften afterwards joined Manchester United and was making a big name for himself when he had a knee injury. He played in inter-League games and was tipped for international honours