Salford Lads Club is saved after after an overwhelming community response

Salford Lads Club, the beloved Greater Manchester institution with over 120 years of history, has been saved from closure after a phenomenal community effort raised £273,000 in just six weeks.

Announced in October, the club had been facing an existential crisis, requiring £250,000 by the end of November to keep its doors open.

The overwhelming response included contributions from global superstars, local businesses, and over 1,400 community members, highlighting the club’s importance as both a cultural landmark and a lifeline for young people in one of the country’s most deprived areas.

Salford Lads Club is saved

The campaign drew significant support from high-profile figures.

Salford Council pledged £100,000, while Graham Nash of The Hollies and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young contributed £10,000, calling the club his “second home.”

Morrissey, the iconic former frontman of The Smiths, donated £50,000.

These contributions were bolstered by the auction of a Noel Gallagher guitar and a final £30,000 donation from gas company Cadent, which helped surpass the target on November 28, 2024.

This effort underscores the club’s cultural resonance, immortalised in 1985 when The Smiths used it as the backdrop for their The Queen Is Dead album cover. The building has since become a pilgrimage site for fans from around the world.

A lifeline for Salford’s youth

Founded in 1903 with the mission to “Brighten Young Lives and Make Good Citizens,” Salford Lads Club has provided generations of young people with opportunities in sports, music, and the arts. From footballers who went on to play for Manchester’s premier clubs to the emergence of cultural icons like artist Harold Riley, the club’s walls echo with achievement and inspiration.

Today, the club offers vital youth services in an area where 46% of children live in low-income families. Activities include boxing, football, arts and crafts, and annual adventure camps. For many, the club is a safe haven from the pressures of poverty and gang culture.

The club’s football program has flourished, growing from zero to seven teams in just seven years, including its first-ever girls’ team. Matches are held at local venues, with the club covering all costs to ensure accessibility for families.

Facing financial challenges

Despite its legacy, the club has struggled to maintain its Edwardian Grade II-listed building amid rising costs. Annual expenses such as utilities (£15,000), building maintenance (£15,000), and insurance (£13,000) have strained its resources. Grants, once a lifeline, have become increasingly difficult to secure due to heightened competition.

In the last fiscal year, the club’s income of £160,000 fell far short of its £394,700 expenditure. Staff shortages further hampered operations and grant applications, intensifying financial challenges.

Breathing Space and Ambitious Plans

With its immediate future secure, Salford Lads Club is now setting its sights on long-term stability. Plans are underway to establish a £1 million Legacy Fund, which would generate an estimated £40,000 to £50,000 annually. This endowment, combined with the club’s transition to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status, aims to ensure sustainable operations and a legacy of service for future generations.

Club leaders are also exploring new initiatives, including corporate sponsorships and innovative fundraising events, to build resilience and expand programs for the community.

Why it matters

Salford Lads Club is s a cornerstone of hope and opportunity for young people and a cultural touchstone for Greater Manchester.

Its recent fundraising success just goes to show the community’s dedication to preserving this historic institution.

As Laura Sipsmith, head of youth, expressed: “Salford Lads Club is a monument not just to the past, but to a future where young people can come here, find themselves, and thrive.”

Long may that continue!