Wallsend Boys Club marks 120th anniversary

The Wallsend Boys Club, established 120 years ago with the aim of guiding young apprentice shipbuilders away from trouble, continues to thrive today. Over its history, it has supported generations of young people from Tyneside, including several globally recognized footballers, and has overcome numerous challenges. The club’s services are now also available to girls. The club was officially opened on November 14, 1904, by builders from the Swan Hunter’s shipyard for their sons. Chairman Steve Dale explains the motivation behind its founding: “They got fed up with the police knocking on their door every Monday saying ‘this one’s been drunk, this one’s smashed a bus shelter’.” He adds, “They opened up mainly to keep their apprentices off the streets and do something more creative with their time.” Dale believes, “And I don’t think anything has changed.” He further states that the club helps young individuals expend energy and “find their way,” noting: “If they haven’t got something to direct them positively, it’s easy to do it negatively.” Currently, with the support of 120 volunteers and the recent inauguration of its new Peter Olsen Community Hub, the club operates largely as it always has. It engages children as young as five, offering a diverse array of activities such as walking cricket and martial arts. However, it is most renowned for its football program, which has seen 93 of its participants advance to professional careers. Among its most distinguished alumni are Peter Beardsley, Michael Carrick, and Alan Shearer. The question arises: what accounts for its remarkable success? President Peter Kirkley, 82, who founded the club’s first football team in 1969, attributes this success to the strict rules and regulations that instilled discipline and a strong work ethic in the youngsters, enabling them to benefit from playing “the beautiful game.” He states, “You had to [follow the rules] if you wanted to play,” and warns, “If you didn’t do it, you were out.” Alan Shearer, Newcastle United’s all-time leading goalscorer with 30 goals in 63 England appearances, speaks highly of the club, emphasizing its role in “learning about life” and “finding out about yourself.” He asserts, “That’s the most important thing and what the boys club prides itself on.” The club has also witnessed a significant rise in women’s football, with female teams now outnumbering male ones. Among those who both benefit from the club and contribute to its next generation is 18-year-old Daisy Crossley. She not only plays for one of its teams but also coaches in its Wildcats program, which encourages girls to participate in the sport and currently attracts an average of four new players weekly. Daisy comments, “The club has invested a lot of time and effort in to the girls section making sure there are enough resources and enough staff so that we can give equal treatment to the boys.” However, John Percival, 38, the general manager for six years, believes the club’s mission extends beyond football. He explains, “Football is a massive part of what we do and that won’t change,” but stresses, “But actually what we deliver is more than football – this is massively important.” He identifies the core ethos as engaging local families to keep them “active and happy” and to “make them feel safe in a warm and welcoming environment.” Throughout its history, the club has endured fires and weather damage. Despite its building being destroyed by fire and rebuilt, then damaged and demolished again, the fundamental spirit of the club has persisted. Mr. Dale affirms, “The key elements of what we did in 1904 are still here,” adding, “It’s about sport and coming into a community environment. “It’s great for a whole host of things in life like making friends, and a lot of them they’ll have forever. “It’s part of our DNA.” Looking ahead, the team at Wallsend Boys Club harbors ambitious plans for the future. When asked about his ultimate ambition for the club, Mr. Dale responds without hesitation: “To make it a centre where once the kids turn 16 years old, we’re offering them the chance of apprenticeships and internships.” He envisions, “Even if they’re not into football, they can still be a product of Wallsend Boys Club but they’ve gone on to be a plumber or a joiner. “This is as good a place as any for them to learn it.” Regarding the club’s presence in another 102 years, Mr. Kirkley expresses hope: “I hope so,” he says, concluding, “It would be lovely wouldn’t it?”