Denaby United Prospects

25 August 1909

Sheffield Independent – Wednesday 25 August 1909

Denaby United Prospects

The runners-up of the Midland League of two ago have, like their near neighbours and rivals, Mexbro Town, considerably strengthened their organisation and will no doubt make a big effort to secure the premier position.

Last year, like their rivals, they were disappointing, the work of the team being unaccoutably inconsistent at limes. The variable character of the game, however makes both for both enjoyment and success, and Denaby are again very optimistic of success.

True they have lost many old hands, the good old uns, who pulled the team round many a time, but these losses are more than made the return of two who did much to help the club to second in a wonderfully successful season, namely, Dyal, who returns from Rotherham Town, and Blackburn, who went to Glossop, but also failed to get a really good chance owing to being understudy to Raine, the amateur International.

The members the old team who have signed are Hancock and Sheppard, goal; Swinbourne, Welsh, Middleman, and Butler, backs; J. Nimrod. C. Bisby. J. Westwood, H. Marsh, T. Peters. J. Ball, M. Havenhand. J. Hanley, and W. Kime.

Of the rest, Tom Kelley was, of course, transferred to Grimsby. J. Lowe, has gone back to Mexboro’ , while Pennington, the onetime brilliant goalkeeper, returns home to Clifton.

The captures, in addition to Dyal and Blackburn, are F. Thompson, goal (Doncaster Rovers), E. Colewood, (Worssop), G. Guy. Dudley, backs, and C. Kelley (Stoke), and H. Briggs (Rawmarsh), and E. (Grimsby Town), forwards, with amateur E. Cooke, of Mexbro’ Primitives.

There is however, the probability that other fresh faces may yet in the team. This surely should assure the sporting public that despite losses, the colliery tram will again render a good account of itself and keep up its reputation for clever and keen football.

Possession of excellent officials and a hard working committee, there is a bright prospect. Further improvements have been carried out to the ground.