It has dutifully served the deprived youth of Salford since 1903, offering recreational activities and and support for young people for over 120-years, particularly in sports, music, and social engagement and its relevance remains in a community which continues to exist as one of the most deprived in the country.
It is renowned for its cultural significance, partly due to its appearance on the cover of The Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen is Dead, cementing its place in British music history, but now it is under threat due to financial struggles in an ever increasingly competitive funding market.
The club has announced that it desperately needs to raise a staggering £250,000 by the end of November 2024 to remain operational.
This financial strain follows a long history of efforts to maintain the grade-2 listed building and its services, including previous restoration campaigns.
Support from figures like former Smiths frontman Morrissey and various fundraising efforts has helped in the past, but the current crisis is unprecedented in the clubs history and if funding is not found soon then it will mean the doors will have to close, possibly for good.
Myself and local historian, Tony Flynn, were invited to pay a visit to the club in 2023 to learn about it’s ruch history within the community and it’s iconic links to both the Smiths and the children of Salford.
The club has become a place of vigil for countless people from all walks of life, far exceeding the boundaries of the city, and even once held court for Royalty when the then Prince of Wales trod the cobbles of the other Coronation Street as he paid a visit himself. Once more Tony Flynn was there in his duties for SalfordOnline to witness and film the occasion.
To lose such an institution is unthinkable and so we are calling on anyone and everyone who can help to come forward and join our friends over a the Manchester Evening News who have launched a ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign to try and ensure the club remains open, available via this link.
At time of writing the current amount raised is £6,532 of the £250,000 needed. It is hoped that businesses and members of the public will come together to raise the money.
