No Rash Promises from Denaby United, but Quite Confidence

“Football is such a funny, unpredictable game that I would not like to make any prophecies about the coming season. We are hoping for a good run we are determined to do better in the Cup games. Given the renewed support of last year’s crowds and the backing of new followers, our lads will be fighting for laurels all season.”

This shrewd statement was made by Mr Matt Taylor, Denaby United’s secretary manager, who told me this week that there was an air of confidence at Tickhill square, and the club were hoping to mark their 52^nd year in the Midland league with a good performance. Last year will be recalled the club managed to get into third place from the foot of the table and save themselves the embarrassment of applying for the election.

Mr Taylor went as his fourth year as secretary manager (he succeeded Mr Arthur Roberts, the present chairman) said improvements to the playing area had cost about £280, but the ground was in need of a good downpour of rain.

Other improvements at the ground include the reroofing part of the stand on the Crags side of the ground; a new, higher wall on the side of the ground near the Catholic Church; installation of new turnstiles; and decoration of the visitors and the referees changing rooms.

26 players about the plain sense, still who played with Denny for nearly 14 seasons, said there were 26 players on the books, and this includes a number of amateurs. They also have a few youngsters who will be groomed gradually.

Here are pen pictures of the players, you can expect to see during the season:

Goalkeepers: Norman Rimington (30), a fitter at Goma colliery, near Barnsley, who came to Denaby last season. Distinguished himself at Barnsley and Hartlepools, the Third Division North Club; Alan Williamson (21), an electrician, who came to Denaby last season on completion of his National Service. He gave many good displays and is a bright prospect.

Fullbacks: Fred Powell (22) a newcomer from Bentley colliery. Unfortunately will not be seen in action at Denaby for another fortnight – is away on his national service “Z” training; Len Hague (22), a bricklayer, a newcomer to Denaby. His experience has been with Parkgate and Ransom and Marles in the Central Alliance League; Tony Cooper (24), is a clerk employed by Swinton Urban Council and this will be his third season with Denaby. He is on holiday, but hopes to be back for tomorrow’s game if needed; Gordon Rose (20) works for Wombwell Urban Council and next year he goes for National Service. A promising player, he has turnout for Wath Wanderers before joining the United towards the end of last season.

League Experience.

Half-backs; Bobby Southall (32), lives in Rotherham, where he works for Steel Peech and Tozer. Experience with Chesterfield before coming to Denaby three seasons ago; Bill Barnes (30), a Sheffield Corporation workman, who played with Sheffield Wednesday and later was Worksop before coming to Denaby. A useful centre half; Albert Gillott (23), works at Parkgate Forge and began his career with Parkgate Welfare. Entering his third season at Denaby; Ron Gray (20), a clerk at Baker and Bessemer, Kilnhurst, made a name for himself in the reserves last year; Trevor Markey (Trinity), a factory worker at Monk Bretton, is a well seasoned player. At present he is on the injured list and is out of the running for a week or two; Malcolm Knaggs (17), a fair-haired pupil at Mexborough Grammar School, is regarded as a real capture for the local club. At present he is on holiday in Switzerland. A keen athlete, he will be ready to start the season as soon as returns to this country; Desmond Hibbs (24), a Sheffield railway worker, he is a newcomer to the district and gave much of his previous experience with the Newark club, Ransome and Marles.

Forwards: Les Justice (21), and outside right who shows great promise. Has played with Sheffield Wednesday and Gainsborough Trinity; Eric Tinker (A4), another outside right is an employee of a Worksop furniture firm. As playful Worksop in the Midland League; Archie Ingham (20), a miner at Denaby, who recently left the Forces. Has played with Wath Wanderers, Wolves and Leeds juniors. He is a Mexborough man; Anthony Fleming (24), another recruit from Ransome and Marles, is at home in either the inside right or centre forward position; John Bodin (A2), and inside right who last played with Sheffield City Surveyors; Mervyn Law (26) a Mexborough man and his seasoned campaigner and last term he played with Rawmarsh. He fills the inside right birth; Sidney Fawcett (25), is a Hull school teacher, who last year played with Boston’s Midland League side. A centre forward, he is prepared to travel to Denaby when required; Ron Duggan (24), a popular player with a Denaby crowd, is a centre forward. He had a lot of bad luck last year, missing a number of games because of injuries. However he shared the honour of being top scorer with 17 goals to his credit; Stanley Poole (Tracey), an inside left from Sheffield. Has played with Retford Town in the Yorkshire League and his elder brother of a Sheffield schoolboy international was signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers; Doug Pryor (19), from Mexborough is an inside left who has been with Denaby two seasons. He works at the GEC, Swinton; Brian Poulson (21) left the Forces last year and played with Penistone Church in the Sheffield Hatchard League; Selwyn Jones (25), an outside left, has played with Everton, Sheffield Wednesday and Colchester. Regarded as a major close season “capture”, he was very impressive at Saturday’s trial. He was out of football last year because of his working arrangements in Sheffield; and Johnny Dammant (20) has just left the Forces and returned to his old job in the building industry. An outside left, he made a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer whilst serving in Cyprus. He comes from Conisbrough. Has played with Leeds United Juniors.

Repeat Performance?

It is a formidable list of players and the United hope to field the strongest 11 possible. Mr Taylor was also optimistic about the chances of the second team and everyone is open that they will emulate last season’s success of topping the Sheffield Association League.