Illustration Christine Fuller
The edition of the Diss Express published on Friday 14th December 1934, tells us that the football club in Great Ellingham was in crisis.
The paper reported:
"There is a possibility that the Great Ellingham Football Club will have to be disbanded unless greater support is received. Last season the club had a good side but the formation of other teams in the district has resulted in the loss of players. In several games the team has appeared short of players and thus has brought about heavy defeats. Last week, Ellingham lost to Gt. Melton by 15 goals and tomorrow's fixture has had to be cancelled owing to the inability to raise a side. Mr Fordham has called at meeting for Monday evening to consider the position."
A week later, the Diss Express reported the following in the edition of the paper published on the 21st December:
FOOTBALL CLUB TO CARRY ON "The secretary of the Gt. Ellingham Football Club Mr Fordham called a meeting on Monday evening to consider the serious position of the club as a result of being unable to field a full team in a number of games. There was a gratifying response and as a result the club is now in a position whereby it hopes to be able to field a much improved team. It was decided to hold a further whist drive at an early date. On Christmas Day Gt Ellingham will play at Rockland, who will return the visit on Boxing Day when the kick-off will be 10.30"
Sources:
14 December 1934 Diss Express
21 December 1934 Diss Express
Both viewed via The British Newspaper Archive