The iconic Salford Lads Club continues to stand at risk of permanent closure, as they declared it needs financial support once again.
Set in the heart of Salford, Ordsall, the nearly 121-year-old landmark has been the face of a rich cultural heritage of music and film of the city.
Its longevity has allowed it to become a famous landmark, and to this day it continues to build on its already impressive legacy.
The Lads Club has had been influential for over a 100 years of generations in Salford, and has been a beacon for improvement and support.
And this has been reflected through the current effort to raise £250,000.
The total already standing over £130,000, its evident that it has had a wider impact on the Salford community, who aim to maintain and preserve the buildings legacy.
So how did the iconic building come to be so important to the history of Salford?
The longstanding establishment dates back 1903, founded by the the Groves brothers as a part of a movement to offer young men alternatives to street gangs.
The club offered a wide variety of activities that included sports, arts, educational activities, and stood out for its work bureau in helping young men find jobs.
It officially opened in January 1904 with the legendary British Officer and founder of the Scout Movement, Lord Robert Baden-Powell in attendance which was suited for the ongoing purpose of the club.
The club was always open till late evening, and in winter months its membership would reach 1,000 gaining attraction as a reliable and nurturing haven for the youth.
Project Manager, Leslie Holmes shares his own early beginnings at the Club and the purpose it has brought him over the years.
He shared: “I came here in 2002, I was doing a project with young people and we were on a very depressed estate here and I wanted a room to do a project.
“Somebody said try Salford Lads Club… as soon as I came through the door I realised this was a very important place.”
And it is the clubs cultural importance that has been so significant to the local youth in the community, and why it has been able to maintain its longevity in the fabric of the city.
Across the years, it has been a safe haven for young people to come and enjoy an environment off the streets but has also gained its popularity globally through bands like the Hollies, and the Smiths.
The Smiths Room
The fame and familiarity with the club has continued to grow over the years with a strong grassroots to music, film and its significance to The Smiths.
The band has held a household name for decades and shared their fame in 1986.
The four posed in front of the club for the inside cover for their third album ‘The Queen is Dead’ taken by pop photographer Stephen Wright and the rest is history.
The Smiths’ music video for the songs “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” and “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” also featured shots of the building’s exterior.
A room famously named as ‘The Smiths Room’ opened in 2004 an ongoing installation created and curated by Leslie Holmes, project manager of the club, as a tribute to the band where fans can immerse themselves in the bands history and leave their own messages.
The room features memorabilia with posters and notes from visitors creating a unique shrine of nostalgia that is a landmark for fans all over the world.
In the recent years
Over the years, the building has faced periods of disrepair and financial struggle, and with the recent call for £250,000 it isn’t the first time that the charity has received major support.
The building has seen support from ‘The Secret Millionaire’ with Chek Whyte, who has been a long term supporter of the club donated towards repairs.
This isn’t the first and only example of a celebrity donating funds to the club, with legendary artists Morrissey contributing £20,000 to the effort for repairs, as well as Vinny Peculiar, previously raising awareness and funds with his single ‘ Lazy Bohemians’ to support the club’s £1 million fundraising drive.
The support that the building has received throughout its 120 years, shows the club cultural legacy and importance to the community.
In recognition of raising funds and building their own popularity, multiple artists have held gigs at their the club including Dirty Laces, BBC Philharmonic, Swedish Drill, Liam Fray, US Punks, The Charlatans, Viva Morrissey and more.
In the recent years Salford Now has also reported on iconic and memorable moments at the club including an evening with Noel Gallagher which sold out under minutes and the first wedding to be held at the club for two Smiths fans.
The Salford Lads Club has also been able to make itself more inclusive over the years, with the club opening up to girls in the 1990s, and they have recently launched their first all-girl football team in 2021.
The club was able to see support from the efforts of Cold Feet and Coronation Street, Salford Rum, Tim Burgress and a crowdfunding event that raised over £7.9k.
For 120 years counting, The Salford Lads Club has been a lifeline to the community in helping young men and providing a space to inspire future generations.
To help out with the current funding in preventing the possible closure of the club, please donate here.
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