South Yorkshire Times June 2, 1951
Grants that Helped Denaby United in Season 1950/51
Just how near Denaby United went to closure last season might never be known to many of their supporters. But some of them got an inkling of it on Sunday morning, at the club’s annual meeting.
About a hundred of them were told that, but for the untiring work of the Trustees, supporters Club and friends, the club would have folded up.
The story was to be found in the balance sheet. Last season only £1,442.18s 4d was taken at the gates after the shares had been deducted. That compared with £2,567 in the previous season. Payments to players, officials, gate men, referees etc cost the club nearly £2,300 in addition.
The three grants that played a strong part in keeping the club going were £371 from workmen at Denby and Cadeby Collieries, £350 from the Miners’ Welfare and £206 from the Supporters’ Club.
This year will be easier, because the increased contribution from the colliery workmen, stepped up from a penny to threepence per man but increased attendances and support wil still be needed.
The chairman, Mr. C. R. Sanderson, appealed for “ambassadors” to spread interest in the club. He was supported in the appeal by Secretary Matt Taylor, who added that the club must “try to build up a side next season better than this.
Teams in the the Midland and Sheffield Association leagues will still run next season.
Most of last year’s senior players had regular games. Centre-half Alf Lee, never missed a game since joining the club more than two years ago – a total of about hundred and 12 successive appearances and he, with Eddie Lockwood, played 42 times last season. Williams (41), Mayhall (39), McGuinness (36) and Edwards (34), several with his arm in a plaster cast, were the other regulars. Leading scorers were Platts (16). Clark (15), Rowney (10), Edwards (8) and Saxton (6).
Those already signed for this autumn are Mayhall, Williams, Lockwood, Hibbert, Lee, McGuinness, Law and Rowney.
Mr. Taylor, president Mr. Sam Peck and Mr. Percy Harrison, financial secretary, were all re-elected at the meeting and committeemen chosen are Messrs. C. R. Sanderson, A. Roberts, J. Ford, J. Hall, C. Shephard, R. Shephard, E. Sheldrake R. Burns, W. Dougall and. W. Holland.