South Yorkshire Times, June 23rd, 1951
Denaby : Combined Effort and a Grand Spirit
The nearness Denaby United Football Club went to liquidation last season was emphasised by the chairman Mr. C. R. Sanderson, at the club’s annual dinner on Friday night.
“We have had, this last year, a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “We have had to fight for our life’s breath to keep our heads above water, and if it had not been for the people who govern the club we should have gone into liquidation.”
He said it was a combined effort between the Supporters’ Club, friends, and good men on the Board, and the playing staff, which enabled the club to keep In the Midland League. ”Some of the playing staff went without their wages and a number went at the minimum wage.”
The toast to the club was given by Mr. Sam Kennedy, a director of Scunthorpe United and a former playcr, who said he felt the club would survive. ”One cannot forget the old times at Denaby,” he said.
“I don’t think the club will fall through, because there are some old players who would gladly give their help if they knew the club was in such low water. I would have been one of the first, because I cannot forget the good old days I spent with them.”
Mr. Kennedy said, ‘You have produced some good players from Denaby and I would like some of the present players in my club.” He said there was one player particularly who he was sure they would have and that would help Denaby a lot.
Replying to the toast, the President of the club, Mr. Sam Peck, said he wished to mention the co-operation between the committee and the Supporters Club. “With this spirit, we shall all see Midland League football in Denaby during 1951-52.”
Proposing the toast to sport, the Rev. A. V. Roebuck, Vicar of Denaby said although the club had not done what it would have liked to have done, they had created a good spirit, which counted for a lot.
The reply to the toast was by the chairman of the Trustees, Mr. T. Hill, who said that if football had left Denaby it would have been similar to the departure of the Romans, “lt would have been a topic of conversation for years to come.”He said It was through such people who attended the meeting of collier workmen that the club was able to carry on.
Mr. W. Kitchen also spoke.