'Serving the community since 1903' reads a proud proclamation on its website. Now Salford Lads Club, a jewel in Greater Manchester's cultural crown and a vital asset for the city's youth, has secured much-needed funding to continue doing just that.
The club - far more than a Mecca for fans of The Smiths - is celebrating a near £50,000 Government cash boost, money which will be used to protect its heritage and build on its future. Bosses have confirmed the windfall from the Culture Recovery Fund, and revealed international visitors are now starting to return following the Covid wilderness.
And the news has been welcomed by former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, who famously posed outside the club in 1985 with Morrissey, Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke for the now iconic photograph used on the inside cover of the band's third album, The Queen Is Dead.
"It's a magnificent and well deserved accolade for all who have helped along the way," said Joyce. "The first time I went to the club was for that photo, but I didn't actually meet the folks involved until 2003. Since then it's been great to see the club going from strength to strength.
"It's wonderful news to hear Salford Lads Club has been recognised by the Historic England and Heritage Fund in continuing its original purpose and passing on the working class traditions of the club."
The Covid pandemic, revealed officials, wiped almost £100,000 off its income as restrictions swept the country. The club, a listed Edwardian building in Ordsall run entirely by volunteers which also welcomes girls, couldn't open to Smiths fans and other visitors, and indoor classes and activities for members had to halt.
Like attractions across the UK, it hit merchandise sales and club money-raisers hard. It was shut from March until September of 2020 then held two open days before it had to close again due to the new restrictions. The exact funding is understood to be £48,000.
Project manager Leslie Holmes said: "We were able to continue with young people's activities outdoors, but without visitors attending our weekly open days we lost over £90,000 of our income during the two years. International visitors are now beginning to come back to the city - it will be a slow process to recover and this funding will help us survive.
"We are pleased to share news that we have received funding thanks to the Government's Culture Recovery Fund. Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Government's Culture Recovery Fund delivered by DCMS we can continue to serve the local community.
"This is really great news after our struggles during the pandemic. The funds will help us protect and share our unique heritage - our building and archive tell stories spanning nearly 120 years, with photos, membership records, newsletters and film reels.
"Our motto has always been 'to brighten young lives and make good citizens' and in these challenging times and with this investment through the Culture Recovery Fund, we can continue to weather the storm of coronavirus, come back stronger and continue our mission.
"We'll also be able to continue welcoming culture lovers and music fans from all over the world, sharing our place in Manchester’s music scene thanks to a very famous photo of one of Manchester's iconic bands."
The club, which runs several football teams, said the funding would continue to allow it to provide opportunities for local youngsters in sports and creative activities. Salford Lads Club was initially founded to steer young boys away from Victorian street gangs and provide positive alternatives. Since then more than 22,500 members have joined, including former Manchester United Busby Babe Edward 'Eddie' Colman, who was tragically killed in The Munich Air Disaster of 1958.
Fundraisers featuring Tim Burgess from the Charlatans and Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder are in the diary for later this year.
