Mexborough and Swinton Times May 26, 1939.

Playing For The Game’s Sake

Baker and Bessemer’s Mexborough Association League side photograph held at a tea and social at the Gate Inn, Swinton, on Saturday, with Captain A. Baker (centre).

It was stressed by speakers at the annual tea and social of Messrs. John Baker and Bessemer’s Sports Club at the Gate Inn on Saturday that victory and prizes were not essential in football, and that the main point was sportsmanship.

The guests of the evening were Captain A. Baker. director of the firm, and Messrs. Ben Worth, secretary to the Mexborough Football Association, and F. W. Worth, secretary to the Montagu Hospital Charity Cup.

Mr. S. Whitlam presided, and Capt. A. V. Venables. Welfare Officer to Messrs. Baker and Bessemer was also present. About 100 members and their friends sat down to tea which was followed by brief addresses by Capt. A. Baker and Mr. Ben Worth.

Captain Baker congratulated the club on its prowess in the field during the season. He knew that the nearest they had come to gaining an award was to get into the final of the Montagu Cup, but after all success on the field was not the vital factor of the sport, it was sportsmanship. He wished the club better luck next season.

Endorsing Capt. Baker’s remarks, Mr. Worth said that the Baker and Bessemer Sports Club were renowned for their sportsmanlike play. Their officials were among the best in the League, and were always easy to work with. They might not have won anything during the season, but they had acquitted themselves honourably as good losers.

An entertainment followed at which the artists were Mrs. Hutchinson and Messrs. B. Laycock and T. Vickers