'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.
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