August 28, 1915
Saturday in next week will see the Rotherham County resume their activities. Preparations to this end are in progress.
Despite the limitations which the country’s war activities have imposed, the genial secretary is fairly sanguine of a satisfactory season. Year by year it has been the practice to effect improvements at Millmoor. It is congenial work for the voluntary staff, and has added much to the comfort and convenience of spectators and players alike. There are no special changes to note for 1915-16.
While providing the best of sport, the injunction to economise will be rigidly observed. It is quite conceivable that there are several things which the committee would like to have altered, but no harm will be done in postponing them to other and happier times.
Millmoor has become a really attractive ground and the enterprise of the County in securing it has been well repaid. The tea shed has developed into a pavilion in which concerts and other entertainments on a moderate scale can be held; and there is also a room for the committee to deliberate in.
What a list the County have to select from. Here it is – 28 all told: Algy Wilkinson, John Foxall, Percy Saul, Bill Birch, William Ashmore, Victor Whitham, W. Livingstone, H. Powell, Hugh Richmond, Jack Smith, Billy Lloyd, Len Smelt (Chesterfield Town), Sam Hopkinson, Jack Smelt (Chesterfield Town), Albert Hatton, Herbert Lloyd (Gainsborough Trinity), L. Mann, Les Robinson (Scunthorpe), W. Jessop, Herbert Lounds (Gainsborough Trinity), Alf Lee, Joe Herbert, T. Hutchinson, Tommy Hakin, C. Jackson, Bob Grierson, Bill Palmer, F. Hill.
“We are running two teams, Midland Combination, Wharncliffe League, and Sheffield Association League,” writes Secretary Tom Sharp.
There was a practice match due for today in preparation for the meeting with Worksop at Millmoor a week hence.
Rotherham Town supporters have not recovered from the shock caused by the announcement by the directorate of “no competitive football this season.”
A decision having been come to on the point there can be no turning back, even if a willing spirit prevailed. The magnitude of the blow to local sport is becoming apparent. One last of the borough’s enthusiasm for the winter game is imperilled.
It is understood that each match would mean an average outlay of £16 for expenses. War and means had been carefully considered in advance. Just over £40 per match was the amount for last season, but this sum included wages, and a playing period of 35 weeks.
Without taking into the reckoning the “gate members” subscriptions, which last year was £226, might reasonably have been expected to produce a considerable part of the required sum.
The pause in the club’s activities is to be regretted. This is especially the feeling in view of the possibility of securing some really high class talent, independent of the promises from the old team, which was unquestionably a strong one.
(Source: Star Green ‘Un: August 28, 1915)
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