September 6th, Mexborough Times
Denaby United & Lesley Hofton
Denaby United are competing in the Sheffield Association league and the Doncaster and South Yorkshire league, and they are taking part in most of the local cup competitions. There are no players of specially high reputation, though Bob Pattison (captain) and Tim Peters Avenue, both a good deal of Midland league experience. It is a purely local team, managed by Lesley Hofton. 1
I heard the other day that Hoften was going to make a plucky attempt to “comeback.” But now I understand that his leg will stand no-nonsense. It is a 1000 pities, for Hoften is, I should say, the most brilliant full-back the district ever produced. It was nothing short of a tragedy when his career with Manchester United was cut short so summarily. I believe Denaby United have definitely done with Midland league football. If, however, Mexborough make a success of their revival, it is not too much to all that Denaby will be tempted to reconsider. With judicious arrangement of the fixture lists, two Midland league clubs here would help one another considerably.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leslie Hofton (3 March 1888 – January 1971) was an English association footballer who played as a full-back for Manchester United in two spells in the 1910s. Born in Sheffield, Hofton began his career at Kiveton Park, before moving to Glossop via Worksop Town and Denaby United in April 1908.
In July 1910, Hofton became Manchester United’s first £1,000 signing, beating the previous club record of £700, which was spent on Alex Bell in 1903.[1] However, despite his record price tag, it took Hofton seven months to make his United debut, appearing for the first time away to Newcastle United on 18 February 1911. He then left the club on a free transfer in May 1913. The First World War broke out just over a year later, but one year after its conclusion, in September 1919, Hofton re-signed for Manchester United. He continued to play for the club for two-and-a-half more years, amassing a total of 18 appearances for the club, before being sold to Denaby Main in February 1922.