Retro: Worksop face cash crisis nearly a century ago

Setting aside the more recent and well documented financial struggles at Sandy Lane, the club also found themselves in a sticky situation nearly a century ago.

In the matchday programme against Grantham for their Midland League game on 27th February 1926, the club put out the following appeal.

The Worksop Club was formed in 1861, we have thus been in existence for 65 years and, like our guests today, there is grave fear of us starving to death.

The fact is that the Club has a serious overdraft which has only been slightly improved by the transfer of George Best.

But no good purpose will be served by waiting for our fate. We must help ourselves. How?

We’ll tell you.

In the first place a word to those who have not paid for their season ticket. The fact is that over £200 is “out” in this way and it would be a gold mine just now.

In addition a series of dances has been arranged and the dates will be announced as they are fixed. The first, held on Monday, was a huge success. And, most important of all, a gigantic Gala and Carnival is to be held on Whit-Monday.

In the meantime, there is work to be done and everyone can help. Have you any jumble-anything that we can sell at the Gala. If so, send it along please to Mrs Raines, 4, Watson Road, Worksop or Mrs J Preston, 14 Welbeck Street, or if you prefer, we will collect it.

And have you anything in the way of small ornaments, etc, suitable for the hoop-la stall. If so, let Mrs Spokes, 48, Carlton Road know and she will make the necessary arrangements. Then you must have any amount of old books you don’t want- dozens we should think. Parcel them together, let Mr H S Gregory, 43, Sherwood Road, Worksop, know, and he will arrange to collect.

And now a word to footballers to support the mother club. Have a word with Mr G H Burcher, 7 Anston Avenue (or at Messrs Whitelams, Bridge Street), Mr T Harrison, 25, Victoria Road, Mr J Bird, 25 Boundary Row, Mr E Topham, 14, Victoria Road or Mr A A Ridley, 20, Foley Place, and they will explain how you can help- in the way of entering a team for the tug-of-war. This is a special appeal to Portland League players.

And, in addition, buy tickets for yourself and all the family.

We may add that Mr J Preston is the enthusiastic Secretary of the Appeal- with Councillor T Fullard, Chairman- and any information will be gladly furnished.

It seems some things will never change in football.