Thursday, September 7 – 1916
The application of Ronald Sewell (the ex-Burnley goalkeeper, at present connected with Grimsby Town), to the Lindsay (Lincolnshire) Military Appeal Tribunal last Thursday, evoked an appreciation of professional footballers as soldiers from Captain Morris, the County Military Representative.
Since the war started Sewell, who is 25 years of age, and married with one child, has taken over a licensed house at Bracebridge Heath, near Lincoln, and the Local Tribunal gave him six months’ exemption under the small business regulations.
The six months has expired, and Sewell told the appeal Tribunal that he had an opportunity of going on munition work if the military would consent.
Captain Morris: “You are just the man we want for the Army. Professional footballers all turn out good soldiers, and I am quite sure you would. You are only 25, and munition work should be done by older men.”
In dismissing Sewell’s appeal the Chairman said: “We think you are just the sort of man who should go and fight, and we hope you will distinguish yourself.”
(Burnley News, 13-09-1916)
Ronnie Sewell
"Play Up, Liverpool" 