South Yorkshire Times June 3, 1967

First Players in Notable Wath Junior Soccer Side

Wath St. James’ Football Club, who entered the Mexborough and Rawmarsh League 42 years ago and competed with notable success for about 15 years, is seen here in a photograph taken in their first season.

The photograph belongs to Mr. Arnie Cusworth of Bingley Farm, High Street, West Melton, who is seen seated second from the right. He was working at a salt works in “Treacle Town,” Common Lane, Wath, with Fred Panther (seated extreme right) when they decided to form a team. Mr. Cusworth had just left Dearne Valley Old Boys’ team, in which he played with former Sheffield United and Wednesday star W. Wilkinson.

The two lads approached Mr. Morton, owner of a nearby glassworks, who was an official of St. James’ Church, and he arranged for the team to be formed and undertook the administration. Mr. Morton became very popular with the lads and his efforts kept the team alive during the early days. He Is seen standing on the extreme right, and lives in Quarry Hill Road, Wath, at the ripe old age of 90.

In the team’s 18 years history they topped the league on more than one occasion, and once reached the semi final of the Montagu Cup against Goldthorpe.

The photograph shows: Left to right (back row): H. Kent, H. Peers, W. Weston, H. Dyson. Jim Kelly, J. Sanderson, Len Lidster, Steve Darby and Mr. Morton. Seated: W. Hargreaves. W. Swift, L. Finney. A. Cusworth (capt.), and F. Panther.

Mr. Wilf Swift is a pork butcher in Wath, and owns a shop in Doncaster Road, opposite Victoria Junior School. Mr Bill Weston landlord of the Woodman at Swinton.