South Yorkshire Times, April 3rd 1943

Eightieth Birthday

Mr. Henry Long, of 63, Park Road, Mexborough, who celebrated his 80th birthday on March 25th, was in the Liverpool train that ran into another train in Doncaster sidings on the Cup Day of Doncaster Races in 1887 when he escaped injury, although 26 persons were killed and many injured.

Mr Long was secretary to Mexborough Football Club from 1889 to 1893 and again from 1906 to 1912. He was presented with a gold Albert and medal and a marble clock for his services. He was first on the management committee of the Mexborough F.C. in 1883, and has vivid memories of the team’s           “star ” players in those far-off days.

When Mr. Long became secretary of Lily of the Valley Lodge of Oddfellows in 1913, the balance in the management fund was £1 0s. 7d., and when he retired in 1937 the balance was £208 15s. 4d. The Long family is one of the oldest in Mexborough. Mr. Long’s father and grandfather were born in the old house known as Barber’s Cottage near the Schofield Technical College. His grandfather was christened at Mexborough Church in 1800, and his great-grandfather was keeper of the Common for the Lord of the Manor.

Mr. Long has been a total abstainer all his life. He has been a spare time agent for the Refuge Assurance Society since 1897.