Salford Lads Club, Historical recreational club in Ordsall, England
Salford Lads Club is a Grade II listed youth recreation building in Ordsall, Salford, England. The Edwardian structure features tiled interiors, a boxing ring, snooker tables, and a gymnasium with a viewing balcony.
Brothers James and William Groves, from the Groves and Whitnall brewery family, founded the club in 1903 to offer sports and leisure activities to young people in the neighborhood. The building has remained in operation since then, keeping its original social purpose.
The building became known around the world after The Smiths featured it on the inside cover of their 1986 album The Queen Is Dead. Fans from many countries visit to recreate the photograph showing the band outside the entrance.
The facility opens on weekday evenings for sports programs, creative workshops, and occasional music exhibitions. Visitors can inquire ahead about guided tours or group visits.
English Heritage considers the site the best preserved example of early 20th-century social provision facilities in England. Most similar buildings were either converted or demolished.
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