Denaby Utd – Denaby’s Midland League Re-Election Bid Fails

June 1965

South Yorkshire Times June 12, 1965

Denaby’s Midland League Re-Election Bid Fails

Denaby United are out of the Midland League – a league which probably owes its very existence to the South Yorkshire club.

At the Midland League’s annual meeting at Worksop on Saturday, Denaby – members for over 60 years – paid the penalty for just two seasons of rock-bottom form, when quietly and without fuss, their application for re-election, forced on them by their bottom-of-the-league position, was thrown out.

But it was a “skin of the teeth” decision that sent United packing after a straight fight for membership with two Football League clubs. For although Denaby received only five votes in reply to 18 for Lincoln and 16 for Scunthorpe, the turning point had come ten minutes earlier when the meeting had decided not to increase Midland League membership beyond the present 22 clubs.
Fate sealed

It was that decision which settled Denaby’s fate as the clubs shied away from possible but hardly probable fixture congestion by a larger membership, and then, discarding loyalties, plumped for the new, strong blood promised by the two senior clubs.

Four alternatives had been put to the meeting: to increase membership to 24, in which case Denaby would have been certain of a place; to increase it to 23, still leaving Denaby with a chance; to decrease it to 20, certain death for United; to remain at 22.

Twenty-two was the choice, leaving four clubs – Boston F.C. also put in an application – to fight it out for two places. The second vacancy was brought about by Bourne’s withdrawal.
Boston were never considered in the final vote after adverse reports of their newly-developed ground.

The Denaby contingent left Worksop Public Library looking disgusted and disgruntled that 63 years of membership in the league they helped to found, and in the last few years to re-form after its break-up, had been disregarded. More bitter still, it had been disregarded in favour of two of the clubs which had brought about its downfall in recent years by withdrawing their reserve sides to play in the North Regional League.

Surprisingly, United’s exit was quiet one.

No-one argued. No-one stood up and proclaimed that loyalty should come first. There was really no need to, for everyone knew the position. The Lincoln-Scunthorpe “carrot” was too tempting to ignore – even from the highest of motives.

Club chairman Mr. Eddie Langford told the meeting in a low voice, “I’m very upset about the decision. I can’t say any more”.

Sole consolation

The sole consolation was that president Mr. Noel Watson said he hoped Denaby would make a further application next year.

Denaby United’s main problem now is to find a place in a league which is of sufficiently high standard to help them improve their play, bearing in mind another try at the Midland League next year.

Yorkshire League is the obvious but uncertain answer, and that is probably where Denaby’s application will next go. They already have membership of the County Senior League, but that is supposedly for a reserve side.

The next 12 months will be a testing time for players and officials and will soon determine just how keen Denaby are to regain their “paradise lost”.