Working Men's, Sports and Social clubs

Being lucky, I have number 78 of this limited edition book. It is the kind of book that you never want to put down and has triggered so many memories of Canley Club for me. A great credit to Ruth Thank you

Used to attend Cox Street WMC Easter Monday kids concert in the early 60s. I think it started around 11am, so it meant a bus ride from Allesley down to The Meda and a short walk past the the new swimming baths being constructed in Fairfax Street to join the queue at the side of the club, was it Grove Street? The concert was in two parts and all us kids were given a bottle of pop and a bag of crisps to keep us occupied for the first part and then a second bottle of pop and an ice cream at the start of the second half. The audience was called to order (as was the adult audiences during normal concert nights) by a primary and secondary compere ringing a bell and announcing the act. After the show, we would all go our separate ways, my parents, grandparents, uncle and aunt would be in the lounge having a drink waiting for us kids to join them. I must admit I had my first taste of beer from my uncle's glass in those days at the age of 6 or 7. If we were really lucky we'd all be taken up the Common and enjoy Hearsall Fair to cap a perfect Bank Holiday Monday.

I remember once when I was around 17/18 being at John Perrow's house in Limbrick Ave. John had been a pal since school and we both played football for Wickman. Johns dad Richard (Dick) was on the committee at Lime Tree Club, so we decided to go over the road for a game of snooker. Got in OK as the doorman knew John and we put our name on the board for a table. We went into the lounge to wait our turn, when another committee member told us the workwear was not allowed on the lounge seats. I consider workwear to be a boiler suit, etc and politely pointed this out. He then said that he considered jeans to be workwear. I again politely asked him when his suit was last at the cleaners and pointed out that my Levis were clean on that evening and were probably a lot cleaner than his suit. But so as not to embarrass John's dad, we offered to go, and said we would go to Wickmans club where we were more than welcome irrespective of dress. Quick apology and we were the next ones on the snooker!! Any one else remember the Perrows?

Am a bit late to the party but my dad kept these from the Coventry Club

Hi meowdisco, welcome to the forum Thanks for the picture. I have to laugh though at the 'junk' we all keep that turns out to be interesting years later. A lot of my research is based on stuff people should have logically thrown away but thankfully kept. Archaeology is all about things people did throw away but were preserved by the soil.

Does anyone have any information on a club around the Ball Hill area during the war. It was run by Paddy Healy and his wife Flo who lived in Godiva Street. Paddy sang in the club under the name of Tony (Topps) Cordarno.

I've had look for a pub with a Healy as a owner but I didn't find one. Looking at the maps I can't see anything listed but have a look to see if anything rings a bell. Pubs by street index Ball Hill area at old maps

Does anyone have any history of Cox Street club? There is a story in our family that my grandfather and great uncle were involved in the founding of the club. I would like to know if its true or not.

Hi Annie, have a look through this thread.

Hi Annie, it might be worth you sending a message to Ruth Cherrington (posts on the site). She has written a book called "Coventry's Working Mens Clubs" and has a wealth of knowledge on them. There is actually a picture from 1950 of the Cox Street football team. There is also page 19 that says it was a group of weavers that started in 1860, and moved into Cox Street in 1903. Regards Mick

Hi Annie, I have access to the online newspaper site. If you can let me have your grandfather and great uncles names and approximate dates I will have a look as there are quite a few mentions of Cox Street Club

I might be wrong, I stand correcting if I am, I seem to recall my elder brother going to the Cox St Club on a Sunday morning for some sort of talent show where the entertainment secretaries from other clubs viewed acts for future bookings at their respective clubs.

Canley Club had them quite often, "Shop Window"

I put some stories and history of the Cox street club in my book on Coventry's WMClubs.