South Yorkshire Times January 14, 1967

Unearthed after half a century

A piece of Mexborough’s past has come to light in the form of old photographs, for some years boarded up at “The Ball” in High Street.

The photographs were discovered during the course of alterations to the Pope, which involved an boarding steps which offer 50 years ago were used as access to the cellar.

There is one photograph of the famous Mexborough Boxer who became champion of England, Iron Hague. (first photograph)

It is believed that he trained at “The Ball” under Mr Johnny Law in his younger days.

With this picture was a postcard Photograph of Gunner Moir, (second photograph) the champion who Hague defeated in 1909. The poster was actually sent by Moir from Guernsey to a Mr G Manning at a London address. The postmark is July 22, 1908.

Landlord of “The Bull,” Mr Jack Watson, who took over with his wife Ivy in December 1965, told the “South Yorkshire Times” this week, “As far as I know, the place where the photos were found has been boarded up for 50 years or more. I would certainly be interested to know who put them there.”