National Coal Strike – Denaby

May 1926

Denaby.

Denaby is making the best of a bad job.

Though underneath there are serious thoughts that perhaps a long struggle is ahead, on the surface there is high holiday. A visit to the athletic grounds at Denaby any time during the present idleness is an excellent antidote to worry and controversy. The officials and clerical staffs of the collieries have organised a Recreation Fund, out of which is provided the means of sport and entertainment. The cricket and football clubs have thrown open their grounds, and there is no shortage of ‘tackle.’ The idea is to give the men something to DO. Each day the grounds are full of activity – a cricket match here, half a dozen bowls matches there, a football match over yonder; with great crowds looking on, and the onlookers get almost as much fun out of it as the players. Most of the players, though many of them have not handled bat or ball or wood much, have a very good idea of the game; and there is good sport as well as fun. Every club and organisation in the district is having a turn. Yesterday, for instance, the tradesmen had a game on the cricket ground, and the schoolboys of Denaby and Conisborough tried conclusions.

Not only is there heaps of cricket, football, tennis, bowls, but the track round the football ground has been used for walking and running matches. Mr. W. Astbury has had a busy time with the organisation of the daily programme, but he is doing his work excellently, catering for every kind of taste. He and Mr. W. Dean have taken charge of football, Messrs. G. Worthington and E. Tibbles have devoted themselves to cricket, and Mr. F. Vollans has supervised the bowls. On Wednesday a walking match of fourteen laps round the football ground – something over three miles – was comfortably won by Teece in 25 minutes. The barriers had a chance yesterday, when they were set a four miles run round the ground.

A novelty which has been much enjoyed is the walking football match. There have been several of these, and players of all sizes and ages have tried it. As entertainment it is as good as anything we have seen for some time. Meanwhile indoors there are all the usual games, and yesterday morning there was an interesting variation, of the programme by the introduction of water polo. The Denaby Main Institute put up a team against the Territorials, and won by three goals to two. Gibbs, of the Institute doing the hat trick. The attendances at the more attractive of the fixtures arranged has made the mouth of the financial secretary of the Denaby United. It is a long time since such crowds watched Midland League matches. Probably well over 5000 persons have spent a pleasant afternoon watching a game on one or other of the grounds. It is all very good and wise, and serves as an excellent model for other colliery districts. After their games the players are always entertained to refreshments or tea in the pavilion.