Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 17 February 1940
Football with the French
Pte. Sam Kelly, who will be remembered by local sportsmen as a Mexborough Association League footballer, is now with the British Expeditionary Force in France.
He has played for Conisborough Welfare, Thurnscoe Vics., Swinton W.M.C. and Mexborough Athletic.
In a recent letter to his brother, Mr. Jack Kelly, he gives a description of a football match with a French team. “We played a French team at football on Christmas Eve,” he writes, “and we drew 2-2. I think we would have beaten them but we were handicapped, wearing ammunition boots instead of football boots. They had the proper kit.
I scored both goals and I think it was the best match we have played in France.”