Members sought after club's cash windfall

Canklow Ex-Servicemen's Club closed in the mid-1990s and at the time president Tom Wilson, 74, thought that when the doors closed for the last time his troubles were over.

He had spent years battling rising beer prices and a lack of interest, but now hundreds of ex-members are expected to reappear after the club had an unexpected windfall.

The site where Canklow Club once stood on the edge of Rotherham was sold last year and after demolition and administration costs Mr Wilson has been left with 45,555.02.

He said yesterday he had wanted to donate the money to the nearby Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice but had been advised by lawyers that he had to get agreement from members.

Mr Wilson, who has lived in the area for 60 years and worked at Rotherham's Ambrose Shardlow steelworks for his entire working life said he wanted to hear from anybody with a claim.

He added: "I have been told that anybody who had an interest in the club could be entitled to some of the money and at one time the club must have had about 2,000 members.

"Personally, I would like to donate the money to a good cause. This would mean that some good would come out of a very sad saga, the end of a once-thriving club.

"It played such an important part in the social lives of the people of Canklow."

Any former members have been invited to come forward and make themselves known to Mr Wilson, who said he would need to see proof of identity and a membership card. He can be contacted on 01709 837519.