Graham Nash Donates £10,000 To Save Salford Lads Club
Graham Nash has donated £10,000 to a GoFundMe to save Salford Lads Club in Manchester. It was revealed earlier in the week that the historic building, which famously features in a photograph on The Smiths’ The Queen Is Dead inner sleeve.
A statement on the GoFundMe page reads, “The Salford Lads and Girls Club has been supporting kids for 120 years. They’ve changed countless lives, nurtured talent, and been a bedrock of friendship and learning. But now this great institution needs our help. The club is facing a financial crisis and needs to raise £250,000 by the end of November to survive. Join the Manchester Evening News in helping the charity which has done so much for young people in our region.”
The organisation has a personal significance to Nash as former Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash singer grew up in Salford and was a member of the club. His donation is seen on the public fundraiser that has been set up to protect the space on GoFundMe. The fundraiser has been backed by Salford-born Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans. Almost £30,000 has been raised to save the club at the time of writing. Laura Slingsby from the club said £250,000 was needed by the end of the November to “secure the future right now”.
Initially founded as a club for boys, but now open to all young people, it was officially opened in January 1904 by Robert Baden-Powell, who later founded the Scout movement.
The tiled interior still features many of its original fittings, and was described by English Heritage as “thought to be the most complete example of this rare form of social provision to survive in England”.
Since being featured on The Smiths artwork and in the band’s music videos, the site has become popular with fans of the band eager to recreate their heroes’ iconic pose in front of the venue’s door.
Recognising its place in the tapestry of Greater Manchester’s musical history, Salford Lads Club also has a Smiths room, which is regularly open to visitors.