South Yorkshire Times July 5, 1958

Unbeatables of The “Nineties”

Although “old stagers” will remember anyone shown in this picture, the younger generations will no doubt recognise names which still mean “cricket” at Wombwell Main.

Taken in Wombwell Wood just over sixty years ago, it shows players and committee members, and reflects an era which present-day secretary Harold Bannister would like to see renewed—the era of a championship cricket side at Wombwell Main. The picture was taken in 1897 and the board displayed under the large championship shield shows that of 16 matches played, the side had won 13 and drawn three.

The picture has been loaned to us by Mr. Charles Morris (65), of 50, Cliffe Road, Brampton, who recently retired from Cortonwood Colliery where he had worked for 26 years.

Mr. Morris keeps the picture because on it is his grandfather, Mr. William Morris, standing second from left, back row. Mr. William Morris was for many years a keen worker and supporter for Wombwell Main Cricket Club. He was a native of Tickhill, but lived at Wombwell Main for many years. He was well-known throughout Yorkshire as a bellringer at York Minster, St. Peter’s Church, Leeds, St. Peter’s, Sheffield, and, John the Baptist Church, Halifax.

Included in the photograph are Harry Ward (Worsbrough), Spencer Burgin and his son William (Worsbrough), Edgar and George Sykes (Wombwell Main), George Sykes senior (Wombwell Main), a man named Twigg (Worsbrough), Dave Thomas of Wombwell Main, Fred Sokell (Wombwell Main), Whittlestone (Worsbrough), Cocksedge (Worsbrough), William Smith (Worsbrough), Mr. C. H. Oxley, enginewright at Wombwell Main Colliery, George Willie Hinchcliffe (Wombwell Main), William Thompson, later manager of Wombwell Main Colliery and father of the founder of Pegasus F.C., Mr, George Hinchcliffe (Wombwell Main), Arthur Wood (later went to America) and Fred Turner (captain) and father of the present Yorkshire C.C. scorer, Cyril Turner.

Wombwell Mainers of the present generation will find it difficult to believe that this photograph was taken at the entrance to Hemingfield Road, Wombwell, looking away from Wombwell Main Station towards Hemingfield Hill Top. The road then was no more than a track through the wood