South Yorkshire Times — April 26, 1952
Mexboro’-Denaby in Third Division
A Dream He Cherished
Mr. John Herdus, 13, Leslie Avenue, Conisbrough, keen supporter of Denaby United for over half a century, Great War veteran, has retired after completing 50 years underground work in local collieries.
Born at Mexborough 68 years ago, Mr. Herdus went at 13 to work at Denaby Main Colliery, and in his leisure hours he regularly turned out for the old Mexborough Victoria side, at right half.
When his parents moved to Denaby he became an ardent supporter of United, and recalls the old days of 1902, when Denaby played at the back of “The Pig” (the Reresby Arms). Mr. Herdus remembers Johnny Lavery, “Cocky” Bennett, “Dido” Blackman, Mick Walsh, Jim Hancock and “Jud” Hardy.
In his 50 years as a supporter Mr. Herdus has never missed a home game. With other loyal supporters he helped to cultivate and level the present ground at Tickhill Square. “Very often we would work five or six hours after coming home from the pit,” he told a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter.
For years Mr. Herdus cherished a dream: Mexborough and Denaby to combine and form a Third Division Club.
“I’ve seen Denaby when they have been almost gone, but by a miracle they always survive.”
After seven years at Denaby Main, Mr. Herdus transferred to Cadeby, working at the coal face until the outbreak of war in 1914, when he volunteered for service with the West Yorks. Within a few months Mr. Herdus found himself in France. He saw action in some of the heaviest fighting and was wounded on the Somme in 1917.
After his demobilisation he returned to Cadeby, working as a contractor until his retirement in March. Mr. Herdus has two sons following in his footsteps at Cadeby, and a married daughter now living in Halifax.
A dream he cherished
Mr. John Herdus, 13, Leslie Avenue, Conisbrough, keen supporter of Denaby United for over half a century, Great War veteran, has retired after completing 50 years underground work in local collieries.
Born at Mexborough 68 years ago, Mr. Herdus went at 13 to work at Denaby Main Colliery, and in his leisure hours he regularly turned out for the old Mexborough Victoria side, at right half.
When his parents moved to Denaby he became an ardent supporter of United, and recalls the old days of 1902, when Denaby played at the back of “The Pig” (the Reresby Arms). Mr. Herdus remembers Johnny Lavery, “Cocky” Bennett, “Dido” Blackman, Mick Walsh, Jim Hancock and “Jud” Hardy.
In his 50 years as a supporter Mr. Herdus has never missed a home game. With other loyal supporters he helped to cultivate and level the present ground at Tickhill Square. “Very often we would work five or six hours after coming home from the pit,” he told a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter.
For years Mr. Herdus cherished a dream: Mexborough and Denaby to combine and form a Third Division Club.
“I’ve seen Denaby when they have been almost gone, but by a miracle they always survive.”
After seven years at Denaby Main, Mr. Herdus transferred to Cadeby, working at the coal face until the outbreak of war in 1914, when he volunteered for service with the West Yorks. Within a few months Mr. Herdus found himself in France. He saw action in some of the heaviest fighting and was wounded on the Somme in 1917.
After his demobilisation he returned to Cadeby, working as a contractor until his retirement in March. Mr. Herdus has two sons following in his footsteps at Cadeby, and a married daughter now living in Halifax.