South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 23 April 1949
Denaby’s Record: 47 Years Without Re-application
Confidence in Denaby United’s future was the keynote of all the speakers at the club’s second annual dinner on Thursday evening. Senior vice-president. Mr. Tim Peters, told a large gathering that the appeal for loans and donations launched a month ago towards the cost of work on the main stand, had already brought in £250. The work would cost in the region of £400 and it was imperative that it should be done before the commencement of next football season. They had both the Bank and the Welfare trustees behind them and that meant a great deal.
Mr. Tom Hill, senior life member, felt his toast of “The Visitors” was rather a misnomer, for everyone present that evening had a very deep-rooted interest in the welfare of Denaby United. It was one of the oldest clubs in the Midland League, and they were anxious to remain members of the league. He was speaking on behalf of the trustees when he said certainly Denaby would not leave the Midland League for want of money. When they saw a sports section helping themselves, the trustees added their share, and they would be only too pleased to do their part in helping to put the main stand in order. At the moment Denaby was in the doldrums. They were all hoping the club would collect enough points from their remaining matches to escape having to re-apply for admission to the Midland League.
The Beginning.
Old Denaby player, Mr. Jim Hancock, said it was 56 years ago last July since he went to see the Rev. R. P. Roseveare to seek stripping accommodation at St. Chad’s. That was the start of Denaby United Football Club.
For 47 years the club had been in membership of the Midland League without having to go “cap in hand” at the end of the season, and he asked them to go all out to move from the last two places before that step became necessary. Denaby had produced some of the finest players in the district, and if now everyone pulled together they were bound to get results. “I wish you all the best of luck.”
Mr. W. Astbury spoke in warmly appreciative terms of the friendship and interest of Mr. Tom Hill. and said there was no reason why Denaby should not have a good team. They had had some good lads this time — and more than a fair share of bad luck.
Mr. C. J. Pickett spoke for the tennis section, though, as he remarked, he had been a vice-president of the football club for 25 years. He was a big believer in season tickets, he said, a suggestion which more than commended itself it this time when the club needed help. He regretted that there was not, at the moment, a tennis club, because they had “nowhere to go.” Mr. J. Halford later replied that money for courts had been allocated and was on its way. The Miners’ Welfare scheme had, quite rightly, put pit-head baths as their number one consideration, rehabilitation schemes for workers as number two.
Mr. Peters had a word of welcome to recently elected secretary-manager Matt Taylor, who in turn promised his best for the club.