Today (Thursday 24 August 2023) Salford Lads Club celebrates its 120th birthday.
The site was officially opened on this day in 1903 as a purpose-built club for working lads, providing apositive alternative to the teenage street gangs (known as “scuttlers”) in the poorest areas of the city.
Founded by the Groves brothers of the Groves & Whitnall brewing empire, our current club president and Chair of Trustees, Anthony Groves, is the Great Grandson of James Grimble Groves!
While nearly all other original working class lads club buildings are long gone, along with their records, the continuity of Salford Lads Club in 2023 makes it very special for generations of families. We still have all our membership cards since our foundation, and in 2015 we created a remarkable “Wall of Names” to share over 22,500 members’ names dating back to 1903. This five metre long laser-cut artwork, designed by why not associates (who made the ‘comedy carpet’ in Blackpool) won a UK design award in 2016.
These membership records track the lives of young people in Salford up to present day, with a few famous names among our archive boxes: Eddie Colman, the young Manchester United star player who died in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster; Allan Clarke and Graham Nash who went on to form 1960’s pop group The Hollies; Fred Done, owner of bookmaking chain Betfred and former professional boxer
Jamie Moore, whose Lonsdale belt is proudly displayed in the entrance hallway. Salford Jets frontman and BBC Radio Presenter Mike Sweeney attended several of the club’s annual camping trips; the late Harold Riley was also a member along with “Mr Muscle” – Tony Holland of ‘Opportunity Knocks’ fame in the 1960s.
Our rich history and location on Coronation Street has seen us become an increasingly important cultural centre for events, book launches, film and fashion shoots and even weddings. We’ve also worked with local artists, business and sports teams to share our story – past projects include a ‘Salford Lass’ sign installation with Islington Mill-based textile artist Alena Ruth Donely, a collaboration with Salford Rum, and a limited edition shirt with Salford City Football Club.
The club has also been the site of pilgrimage for fans of The Smiths after Stephen Wright’s iconic photo of the band was used on the inner sleeve of ‘The Queen is Dead’ album in 1986. In 2004, the club opened a dedicated Smiths room – an ongoing installation created and curated by Leslie Holmes, where fan photos are displayed alongside post-it messages. The club continues to welcome visitors
weekly – from Indonesia to Mexico, Israel to Australia, much of Europe, Canada, America and South America.
The club could not continue to operate without its dedicated team of staff and volunteers, often former members themselves, who continue to work with young people in the community. It offers a place of safety, positive role models, somewhere for young people to socialise, chances to get active with sport and boost wellbeing with creative activities. Young members can try new things and explore new experiences, with an annual camping trip that has taken place each year (apart from during World War 2 and the Covid-19 pandemic). All this aims to continue the club’s original motto: “to brighten young lives and make good citizens.”
Leslie Holmes, our Project Manager said: “The fact that we are still here in 2023 is a remarkable story. Not only surviving Word War 1 and World War 2, and the loss of nearly all of the estate in the 1960s and 70s with the closure of Salford Docks. More recently, with the Covid-19 pandemic, rising energy prices and cost-of-living challenges, the club is still important to local young people. This year we had over 300 members taking part in activities. To continue sharing our story and legacy, we need investment from Government, from local councils and from companies and individuals.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, followed with: “A huge congratulations and a very happy anniversary to Salford Lads Club, celebrating their 120th year – the club with its rich cultural heritage is still attracting national and international visitors, and importantly, remains a constant for the local community and young people it serves. It’s a true testament to the dedication of the staff and volunteers at the club to see it continue to thrive, and fantastic to witness the positive influence it has on the young people who participate. It’s vital that we all keep supporting places like Salford Lads Club so they can continue the great work they do for many years to come!”
We’re open to visitors every Wednesday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm.
All support is gratefully received – all funds raised contribute to the care of the building and funding activities for young people in Salford.
Look out for more information coming soon on an exciting programme of events to celebrate this milestone!