Mr George / Park Lane / Mr G's Club

That would be Sandy Rodgers who ran the casino next door? A lovely person, very genial like George.

I DO recall seeing Debee Ashby in the club quite often, and it was well known she was only 17.

In the Lower Precinct - outside where Mr G's used to be Copyright M Fleck

But she was a big girl for her age.

Right guys, a bit about Mr George Club I worked at the 40 Thieves near Shelton Square for several years, started on the door and became assistant manager under Sandy Rodger. Adolf also worked there for years, Roy Surgeon, Matty Mayne and little Dave. George opened up in the Lower Precinct in1972 and Bill Dundas, a Scots detective sergeant in Coventry, left the police and became the manager, nice bloke but out of his depth with the club game, and he was replaced quickly by a guy from Leicester, Mick Gutteridge. I started there just after it opened, as the club was suffering from the idiots who drank in the Jag pub starting trouble, and George wanted me on the door. Sandy managed the Club 100, the casino next door and I ended up working there from 2am-4am after George's closed. I also did a few nights at the Locarno for Bob Clarke after they had their big riot with the crowd at a reggae night, and nearly got shot when I guy I threw out came back with a shotgun, I dropped him and the cops turned up with long Lee Enfield 303s, looking very mean and pointed them at me until they found out I was not the problem. Great days with Jigsaw, Dr Hook and loads of good bands, inc the Drifters. I then left and went down to George's club in Gloucester, where Pat Loughran was having problems with a local rugby club battering his bouncers on a regular basis, I took over the management and stayed a year, sorted out the rugby players and improved the profit margins and then went back to George's whilst Pat returned to Gloucester. I retired at the age of 30 when I got married and still miss the music. I live by the ocean in Australia now Tom Daly

Hi Tom, I remember Roy Surgeon circa 1975/76 when he was on the door at Mr Nello's on a Friday and Saturday night. He was a thoroughly nice bloke. He always used to say he was so poor that he put oxtail soup on his dinner as he couldn't afford gravy!!! Happy Days!!

Whatever happened to some of the doormen from the 40 Thieves and George's or the Locarno? Adolf died a few years back, Jimmy Lynas who I took down to Gloucester with me to scare the locals, a lovely bloke and a great card player, Joe Greer, Flash (Brian) Lanigan, Dennis Mullen, Jack O'Brien, Billy Cox, big Tile Hill lad that was there with me at the rock house in hard times Most of these guys were a lot older than me so the chances are they are gone now Anybody recall Eddie Gray and the Shades of Gray, big band on the revolving stage at the rock house for years Tom Daly

I spotted Matt Mayne outside his home in Duke Street not long ago.

Jimmy Lynas used to frequent Nello's around the same time that I knew Roy. I would imagine he terrified the people of Gloucester!! He could certainly tell he had a pugilistic background!

Hi Tom did you know Danny Gardner?

I know Danny, we worked together for years on demolition. He is still around, I think he is 78. I go to see him at times and he lives in Masser Road, he still thinks he is a youngster!

Hi Norm I met Danny`s long time friend Bernard last year at Warwick Auctions and he said the same as you Danny hasn`t changed. I first met him many years ago when we were renovating Birchley Farm for John Reason, ex Coventry Bees rider and of Reasons Transport, he used to give us racing tips and I went to the AEU club playing bingo with him and Bernard, had some good laughs with them. Last time I saw him he was working on the demolition of the Morris at Courthouse Green, he gave me a great deal (free) on some RSJ`s

Georges was already Park Lane when I used to go there circa '84'ish. I always remember one of the doormen who looked particularly vicious with shaved head and goatee. 'Fat'-Matt Carter used to work for George as well in the cocktail lounge.

Hi, I'm new to this site but had to join as got so many memories of George's, was there opening night and throughout rest of 70s. Saw Drifters 3 nights running Mon/Tues and Weds, also Edwin Starr, well I heard him as I was dying in toilet. Remember Tom Fox and Pete Waterman djaying and Ben the doorman, what a nice bloke, always smiling. Also George's minder, Olaf I think, he used to be scary. The hot dogs on sticks, Sunday night cheap drinks. Met so many girls there, always drove, never worried about police. My friends were black Noel and Jinxie, also Gus Grant and Dave Pennington, but everyone knew everyone really. Christmas and New Years were great nights, so busy you couldn't move. Hope to hear from anyone who remembers me.