Mexborough and Swinton Times February 3, 1928

Secret Transfer
Wombwell and Albert Smith
Chairman’s Statement

Reference in our Wombwell notes last week to certain arrangements which had been come to regarding the future of Albert Smith, the Wombwell goalkeeper, and the air of secrecy surrounding those arrangements, bring us this week a statement from Mr. Charles Boocock, the chairman of the Wombwell club,

Our reference last week was quite legitimate, for we found that most people knew something about the affair: yet we were not in possession of definite official information which we might publish. The fact is that Smith has been bespoken by a well-known Football League club in the Midlands who do not require his services at the moment but will call on them when they do.

In spite of their recent success on the field Wombwell are still hard-pressed financially. The team is not getting the support they deserve. Mr. Boocock contrasts Wombwell’s position with that of other Midland League clubs. He says:

“We are to be visited by Shirebrook this week-end, and the time may be opportune for a few observations regarding our, position. I note that Shirebrook are crying out for support and are asking for ‘gates’ of £120 per match. That means an income of £60 per week. Who couldn’t run a Midland ‘League club at that price? What is the position with Wombwell? We have to keep a club going on much less than half that income.

There are many who will possibly not believe it, but it is nevertheless true, that the receipts for the last two home matches —York and Notts. Forest—totalled £36: £18 match for a winning team ! Admitted we had not the best of weather, but we must not forget that we have covered accommodation for nearly 2,000 spectators. What was the shelter put up for but to provide protection in wet weather? This leads one to the plain question : How can a Midland League club be carried on with an average ‘gate’ of less than £20 and who can complain if the directors sell their befit players?

The Only Way.

“As a matter of fact they have no alternative to putting them on the market. It must be obvious that if we did not get a little in this direction now and again we should have to close down altogether. Unfortunately we have to sell our players at those critical times when circumstances compel us to do so, and the result is that we do not get more than 25 per cent. of their real value. Take the position of our goalkeeper, Albert Smith.

“The truth of the matter is that we were forced by the circumstances of the moment to come to some arrangement about Smith with a prominent League club in the Midlands. They paid us something for Smith so that they can take him when they need him. The club I have referred to do not want Smith at the moment, but they know what a bargain he is. This might be quoted as illustrating the unfortunate position we often find ourselves in, and by way of an answer to the enquiry as to when he Wombwell directors are going to break the news of Smith’s transfer officially !

“I can assure you it is not because the directors wish to keep things secret, but many times they are ‘compelled to do so owing to circumstances they are not always at liberty to make public, Wombwell will indeed be sorry when the club referred to think fit to call upon Smith, because the position will take some filling—at least as efficiently as Smith has filled it. We know that on recent occasions he has been the means of saving points for his side. We venture to suggest that his displays alone have been worth the `gate’ money. You can take it from me that no directors would sell their best players if they could afford to retain them. The loss of Smith may turn out to be a more serious one for Wombwell than some people imagine, because we are now climbing out of the danger zone. We do not wish to return to the bottom of the League table again, as the position of the bottom two clubs may be  a serious one when re-election to the competition is to be sought.

You will realise the force of this when you come to think of the possibility of many Midland Combination club seeking admission to the Midland League next season.