South Yorkshire Times, October 16th 1943
A dinner to celebrate Swinton Cricket Club’s success in winning the Yorkshire Council championship for the first time was held at Swinton last Thursday. Members of the Swinton team were congratulated on their magnificent display in defeating Hickleton in the final, and an appeal was made to local cricket “fans” to give the team better support. . Mr. J. Bell, president of the club, who presided, said credit was due to the team for winning the championship for the first time, and their performance was all the more creditable considering that everything was against getting a good team together and practising. He hoped that because they had won the championship, they would not allow other teams to take their players. Swinton had not played cricket to get something out of it, but for the love of the game and as comrades together. Members of the team liked playing together, and without comradeship on the field of play they would not have won the championship. He hoped next year they would win the cup under happier circumstances in the country. Mr. Bell added that the players could not have won the cup had they not had the support of a hard-working committee.
“The Club”
The toast, “The Cricket Club” was offered by Supt. L. V. Marshall of Rotherham West Riding Police, who mentioned that police cricketers from his division had assisted Swinton from time to time. Rotherham West Riding Police had just won the Chief Constable’s Cup, in which 16 divisions had competed. Swinton had been the scene of some very delightful charitable cricket matches, at which Mr. S. C. Ward had given much assistance. It gave him the greatest possible pleasure to thank the Swinton club for all the help they had given the Police cricketers and in allowing the Police to use their playing field.
Ambition Realised
Responding Mr. C. W. Peat, chairman of the cricket section, said it was more than likely that Switon would want Sgt. Stubbs and Sgt. Quinn to help them next season, and it would suit him (Mr. Peat) if Supt. Marshall said they could play regularly. It had been his ambition for Swinton to win the Yorkshire Council championship. When he became chairman of the cricket section, cricket in Swinton was at a very low ebb. Mr. Young (secretary) was ploughing a lone furrow but he told him that the club would regain past honours. The finances were low and they decided that as they could not buy a team, they would have a club in which the management and players were happy together. It had been that spirits between committee and players that had done as much to win the trophy as playing on the field.
Congratulating the team on their display at Hickleton, Mr. Peat said every man pulled his weight that day. He referred in glowing terms to the magnificent work done by Irving Ellison, whose bowling was worthy of County recognition. He hoped next season they would be able to field practically the same team. E. Cadman, who was going to help Pudsey, was a good bowler, and given health and strength would be worthy of taking Verity’s place in the Yorkshire side. C. Lee had gone into the R.AF., and they would not have his assistance. He forecast a happy future for Lee, who was one «f the outstanding batsmen in the district. There was a doubt about J. Briscoe being available next year. Mr. Peat said another ambition he hoped to realise was that Swinton boys should get into the Swinton team. It was impossible for a lad to jump from school to the Yorkshire Council side, but he was going to propose to the management committee that they appoint Leslie Bedford as coach, and if any lad had cricket in him Bedford would bring him out. If they adopted that suggestion there would be a flow of Swinton lads into the team. Support had been disappointing, but it had been a bad summer, and some of their best matches had been cancelled. The final had created interest in Swinton cricket, and had done some good. They had a good team, and Swinton people could see good cricket every Saturday.
Only One Defeat
Mr. W. B. Broadhead, captain of the side, said for a good many seasons they had been in a position to win the Council championship but had fallen for some reason or other at the last hurdle. This season they went right through and made a good job of winning it He thought they could claim to be the outstanding team in the Yorkshire Council this year, having played 14 matches, won 13, and lost only one. 1f they had had a full side for the match they lost they would not have been defeated this season They had good players, a good chairman, a hardworking secretary, and an encouraging band of followers. As captain he had found the players most loyal, and this had made the skipper’s job very easy. Mr. Broadhead went on to speak of the individual abilities of each player, and thanked the Police for allowing Sgt. Stubbs and Sgt. Quinn to help them out when they had been in difficulties. He thanked Mr. Bell for the interest he had taken in the club as President and for his gift of £5.
A Friendly Gesture
Mr F. Young, secretary of the club, proposed “The Visitors,” and said the work he had done as secretary in the last seven years had been rewarded by the team winning the Yorkshire council. He coupled with the toast Mr. W. P. Turner who was an old stalwart of cricket in the district and welcomed the ladies present. He could just remember Mr. Turner playing cricket many years ago and they were pleased he had retained an interest to local cricket and had been helpful in any way possible to their own and other clubs in the district. He welcomed Coun. F. Tingle and Supt. Marshall.
A Wonderful Performance
Responding, Mr. W. P. Turner said the team gave a wonderful performance to win the championship. He congratulated every member of the team on bringing such great honour to Swinton. They won the match at Hickleton by sheer grit and determination. He had never seen a team play better together. The cup was first competed for in 1893, and it was very happy for the Swinton Club to win it in the jubilee year. Mr. Turner said 50 years ago Swinton won the Hallamshire League, when they tied with Rotherham Town at the top of the league. Rotherham and Swinton together played ine rest of the League, and had a delightful match on the old field near the Gate Inn. He hoped that before next season the war would be over, that they would be playing cricket in normal conditions, and that they would have a revival of the cricket they knew in Swinton in days gone by. Coun. F. Tingle, in a breezy speech, referred to the distinguished services of Mr., George Mangham, who had an unbroken record as scorer for Swinton for 51 consecutive years., He wished the club every success in the future. Mr. S. C. Ward joined in the congratulations to the president, team, and officials, and hoped the success would be a stimulant to better attendances at matches, He said he had been connected with Swinton Cricket Club for 50 years, and could remember some fine cricket on the Gate Inn ground, when they used to get good support. He hoped the time would not be far distant when they would have an easy approach from the top part of Swinton to the cricket field. The firm with which Mr. Bell was connected (Manvers Main Collieries, Ltd.) had been a great help, and he hoped Mr. Bell could continue as President, and that the dinner would be the forerunner of many others. Mr. Bell replied that the Manvers Company would do their utmost to give financial support to the clubs at Mexborough, Swinton, and Wath, If Swinton had a road to the top end of the field it would be an asset to the finances of the club. Stan Hatton (entertainer) and ventriloquist) kept the company of over 50 amused, and Mr. Leslie Bedford sang, accompanied by Mrs. Bedford.