Obituary – Matthew Hardy (picture)

March 1934

South Yorkshire Times, March 9th, 1934

Obituary – Matthew Hardy

Mr. Matthew Hardy who, as reported in our last issue, died on February 24th aged 73, rendered valuable service to the sport of the district.

Though never prominent as a player, like his brother George, he was a fine judge of Association football, and hundreds of young men owed their early training to him and their advancement to his recommendation.

He was a Derbyshire man and came into the district some forty years ago to work at Denaby Main.  Afterwards he obtained employment at Manvers Main and settled at Mexborough.

He acted at various times as trainer for the Mexborough and Denaby teams when both were at the height of their Midland League reputations, and later he took to the training of junior teams (he was connected with Wath Road Athletic when he died) and also helped promising young players into the higher divisions of the game. He was a good influence in the game.

The respect in which he was held was evident at the funeral which took place at Swinton yesterday.