South Yorkshire Times August 17, 1946

Denaby United
Blend Experience with Youth

Denaby United face the forthcoming season, the first post-war term of normal football activity, with quiet confidence and commendable enthusiasm.

Their playing strength of 15 professionals and four amateurs will be their largest for some seasons, and Mr Arthur Roberts, the new secretary – manager, recognising that Midland League football is now a highly competitive business with attractions of League football at Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and, Rotherham so quickly available, has decided to build his team from a blend of experienced older players and dashing young local talent.

“Quite a number of my signings have had League experience,” he told me on Tuesday, “and in addition we have the assistance of the best of the promising Conisbrough and Denaby players. We hold our first practice match at Tickhill Square on Saturday, kick-off 3.30, when a collection will be taken for Fullerton Hospital, and a number of the signed players will be on view. The final practice when all the same players will be included, will be on August 24.

“The season will open with a home game against Ransom and Marles, last season’s league runners-up, on Monday evening, September 2 and the club is encouraged by the satisfactory way in which season-ticket are being bought. The club will charge 1s for their home matches, women and boys 6d and the price of season tickets had been fixed at 12s 6d for the 21 matches, women and boys 6s 3d.

This will be Mr Robert’s first season in managerial control of a Midland League side, but three seasons ago he was financial secretary of the club in it Sheffield Association League days, and last season he managed with success Denaby amateurs, winners of Mexborough Association Lee and finalist for Mexborough Challenge Cook. He was also one of their halfbacks and previously played with Mexborough, Denaby and Thurnscoe Vics. Mr BW Lupton continues as financial secretary, but many of the committee members are new to the committee.

Details of the players are as follows:

Goalkeepers

Percy Uren signed for Denaby last season, and was previously with Mansfield Town, capable and confident.

Jack Wilkinson, last season with Gainsborough Trinity and previously for two season with Rotherham United.

Full backs:

George Madin, Denaby player who has been with the side some seasons, a reliable right back.

Fred Asquith, Conisbrough, in his second season with the club, sound left back, should go far.

Jack Williams, recently demobilised from the army, played with Denaby before the war, dependable and a great worker, left half or left back.

Robert Beasley amateur with Denaby amateurs last season and also on Doncaster Rovers books, right back

Halfbacks:

Leslie Turner, assisted New Brighton during the war, an experience left half.

Walter Millership, a devoted long service, Sheffield Wednesday servant, last season a Wednesday coach, expected, as an experienced centre half to provide the balance for the site.

Jack Wheat, right half, one of last season’s successes, formerly with Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, a faultless team player.

Harry Harrison, ex-RAF, from Swinton, with Denaby amateurs before he joined up, wing half.

Harold Vickers, joined the United last season from Denaby amateurs, utility player

Forwards:

Sidney Strachan, retained from last season, previous with Carr loco, Doncaster Thursday League side, when on form an irresistible outside right.

Michael Killourhy, inside right, a close season capture from Doncaster Rovers, to whom it has given valiant service.

Harry Smith, formerly with Kilnhurst, joined Denaby during the war, still in the RAF, but expected to be demobilised in about two months’ time, centre forward.

George E Glenn Doncaster policeman, dashing centre forward, another retained player.

Jack chafer, inside forward from Rotherham United.

Eric Haywood, inside right, Denaby lad, formerly in the Forces, and previously played with Conisbrough Welfare.

John Hurley, a highly promising inside right, Denaby boy, was on amateur forms with Grimsby Town last season,

and Douglas Duffield, outside left from Edlington Rangers, just out of the Navy.

The players, with the exception of Millership who is training at Sheffield, and Killourhy, at Doncaster will report for training on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they may be joined by two more experienced players before the season opens. “I am after two more,” Mr Robert divulged.