Mexborough and Swinton Times October 5, 1928
Men of Note in local Sport
A Former Goalkeeper
Old Denaby and Frickley Official.
James Hancock.
Mr. James Hancock of 82, Doncaster Road, Conisbrough, has a long association with football as a player and official.
He was with Denaby United when the club started 34 years ago. After a year as secretary he resigned but continued, to play for the club. Denaby were in the South Yorkshire League competition then. They later joined a Sheffield League competition before entering the Midland league competition in 1899.
In 1888 – 9 Mr Hancock went to keep goal for Mexborough, and later passed onto Chesterfield. He kept goal for Chesterfield for two seasons in the second division of the football league. From Chesterfield he returned to Denaby
The most remarkable match in which he took part was a semi-final tie in the Sheffield Challenge Cup competition between Denaby and Sheffield United at Clifton Lane, Rotherham, in the season in which Denabv first won that cup. A big crowd broke into the ground at Rotherham. The remarkable thing about the game was that Denaby were thoroughly outclassed, and got across the half-way line only about six times during the game, and yet won 2-0. They were two great goals scored by Lavery whom Mr. Hancock considers the greatest forward ever in Midland League football.
From Denaby Mr Hancock went to Frickley as secretary of football and cricket clubs and remained there about ten years before Denaby again drew him back six years ago. He became secretary-manager at Denaby then and was associated with Mr. W. Astbury, who has done so much for the Denaby club.
During the time Mr. Hancock has held office for Denaby the club have done well in transfers. Mr. Hancock reckons up £2,500 made in fees. The players transferred from Denaby during the last six years include Froggatt, Scriven, Kennedy, Bussey, Brayshaw, Cooper, Brown, Johnson, Green, Bamforth, Briggs.