History
WALLSEND BOYS CLUB
The Employees and Directors of Swan Hunters Shipyard, Wallsend, originally founded Wallsend Boys Club in 1938
The purpose was to provide recreational activities for the apprentices and young people in the area. The original Club premises were a series of wooden huts on Station Road, erected by workers from the Shipyard.
From the Club's Constitution: “The objects of The Club are to help and educate members through leisure activities, to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacity in order to help them become useful and responsible members of society.”
A fire destroyed the original premises and work commenced on the current Club building during 1964.
In October 1965, with contractors still on the premises, David Beardall was appointed full-time Club Leader. The Official Opening took place on Friday 16th December, 1966.
Club activities in the early days were mainly snooker, trampolining, judo, table tennis, cross country running and football. Various fund raising activities were held, including a 'pram push' across England and a 24 hour relay race from Wallsend to Edinburgh Castle and back.
In 1975, the decision was taken to open the Club seven days a week and to form a separate sub- committee for 11-a-side football.
Peter Kirkley was chosen to head the committee, and this was the foundation for what has proved to be an incredible success story. Over the years, the 11-a-side Representative Teams have won hundreds of trophies in local and national competitions. The Club has gained a formidable reputation for the early development of many professional footballers, among them Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Lee Clark and Michael Carrick.
See our Past Players page for more details of our past players and the professional clubs they have joined. These players retain strong links with the Club and are extremely generous with their time in supporting Club activities, such as Presentation Nights and Talk-Ins. The Club is justifiably proud of these men and they remain important role models for our Members.
The Employees and Directors of Swan Hunters Shipyard, Wallsend, originally founded Wallsend Boys Club in 1938
The purpose was to provide recreational activities for the apprentices and young people in the area. The original Club premises were a series of wooden huts on Station Road, erected by workers from the Shipyard.
From the Club's Constitution: “The objects of The Club are to help and educate members through leisure activities, to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacity in order to help them become useful and responsible members of society.”
A fire destroyed the original premises and work commenced on the current Club building during 1964.
In October 1965, with contractors still on the premises, David Beardall was appointed full-time Club Leader. The Official Opening took place on Friday 16th December, 1966.
Club activities in the early days were mainly snooker, trampolining, judo, table tennis, cross country running and football. Various fund raising activities were held, including a 'pram push' across England and a 24 hour relay race from Wallsend to Edinburgh Castle and back.
In 1975, the decision was taken to open the Club seven days a week and to form a separate sub- committee for 11-a-side football.
Peter Kirkley was chosen to head the committee, and this was the foundation for what has proved to be an incredible success story. Over the years, the 11-a-side Representative Teams have won hundreds of trophies in local and national competitions. The Club has gained a formidable reputation for the early development of many professional footballers, among them Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Lee Clark and Michael Carrick.
See our Past Players page for more details of our past players and the professional clubs they have joined. These players retain strong links with the Club and are extremely generous with their time in supporting Club activities, such as Presentation Nights and Talk-Ins. The Club is justifiably proud of these men and they remain important role models for our Members.
RSS Feeds