History

The Tennis Club was formed in 1900 and before the First World War consisted of a group of players who used the Hope St Recreation Ground courts, and later the hard courts in Ashton

Gardens, St. Annes.  In 1920, after the war, they combined with the North Drive Tennis Club, which had four grass courts among the St. Annes sand hills, to form the St. Annes-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club at the present flourishing site in Avondale Rd off Clifton Drive North.

Later in 1921 a large sand hill on adjoining land was removed, and three new shale courts were constructed at a slightly higher level than the grass courts.

The annual Open Tournament has been a popular feature of Lawn Tennis in the North West since its inception in 1932. 

In 1934 the committee spent £1,000 on extending the pavilion, and in May 1935 Alderman W. Hope, the Mayor of Lytham St. Annes, officially opened three new grass courts and a stadium.  He hoped that the Club would continue to progress, and become one of the leading clubs of the North.  Exhibition matches were played attracting a crowd of nearly 2,000.  These were to prove a regular attraction at the Club, which with its annual Open Tournaments was becoming the mini-Wimbledon of the North.  Many famous players such as Fred Perry, `Bunny’ Austin, Dorothy Round, Kay Stammers, G.P. Hughes and Angela Mortimer appeared in exhibition Matches over the years.

After the Second World War the Open Tournaments recommenced in 1948.  Exhibition events also resumed, reviving the pre-war interest and attracting crowds to see Wimbledon stars and overseas players in action. 

In 1950 and in 1954 Harvard & Yale played Lancashire at the Club before about, 1,000 spectators; many friendships were formed.  In May 1952 there was a women’s event – Great Britain v France (an easy 16-0 victory for the British; a very wet week had prevented the French from practising on the unfamiliar grass).  Fred Perry, the Wimbledon champion, was present and gave a talk and demonstration to the Juniors – an excellent opportunity for them.  In spite of the rain the event was nevertheless a great success.  A week later for the Open Tournament there were perfect blue skies and hot sunshine, contributing to everyone’s enjoyment.

In 1961 Kramer’s `circus’ of new professionals went on tour; Pancho Gonzalez, `Butch’ Buchholz, Lew Hoad and Mike Davis played at the Club.

In 1964 Fred Perry opened the new tennis pavilion, built on the site of Court 1

An exhibition match followed between Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver, the two leading professionals in the world at the time.

Quite a few Club members have achieved national recognition.  The Club is proud of the fact that it has been represented at Wimbledon by at least one member for many years up to 1950.  In fact L.A. Godfree, the Club President, received the first service delivered at the opening meeting of the New Wimbledon held on the present grounds of the All England Club. 

In that year, 1922, he won the Men’s Doubles with R. Lycett, and in 1926 the Mixed Doubles with his wife Kitty McKane, a former Singles winner in 1924 and 1926.  Leslie Godfree was also a member of the Davis Cup Team in 1923, `24, `25 and `27.

After Godfree’s departure to the South, A.T. England carried on the tradition.  Also a Club President, he played in the Championships from 1932 to 1949.  The Club’s Lady Captain (Ex-Lancashire Champion and Lancashire Ladies Captain) Miss Nancy Liebert was the Club’s Wimbledon representative from 1945 to 1950. …./2

Arnold T. England, a life member, was the Club’s Singles Champion for twenty-one years.  He dominated Lancashire tennis, winning the Singles title eight times, from 1935 to`39 and after the war from 1947 to `49, probably a record for any County title throughout the country.  He retired undefeated and regularly played at No. 1 for the County.  Mr Ralph Bint, a member of the St Annes and Marton clubs won the Lancashire Singles in 1950.  He was an umpire and a good administrator but, sadly, died in 1957 playing the game he loved. His widow provided the Ralph Bint Trophy in his memory, played for by the 2^nd Division Lancashire Ladies. The 1^st Division Lancashire Trophy, the Liebert Rose Bowl, was given by Mrs Liebert (mother of Nancy) before they left St. Annes in the `50’s to live in the South.

There are two Lancashire knock-out trophies for men; the Roscoe Trophy and the Ransome Trophy for Groups 1 and 2 respectively.  Our record so far for winning these is:-

Men’s Roscoe Trophy – 1954, 1982 and 1991.

Ladies’ Liebert Rose Bowl – 1955, 1979 and 1998.

The Club was already renowned for its hospitality, good food and welcoming atmosphere, and the new Pavilion proved a tremendous asset, especially for the comfort of players in the 1965 Rothman-sponsored Open Tournament. We now, attracted a large international entry which provided excellent tennis viewing.  Among the famous names you may remember who entertained us were W. Bungert (Germany), R.D. Crealey, R. Fitzgerald, C. Dibley and John Alexander (Australia), C. Kirmayr (Brazil), S. Pasarell (USA), B. Fairlie (New Zealand) and Premjit Lal (India, Davis Cup player).  They came for grass court practise before moving on to play at Manchester and, hopefully, Wimbledon.  Some of the British players one remembers include Roger Becker, David Lloyd, Bobbie Wilson. Tony Pickard, Roger Taylor and Alan Mills.

Juniors were never forgotten.  In the early days many took advantage of the Lancashire LTA’s coaching courses held regularly on the St. Annes courts.  Two promising Juniors, Mark Openshaw and Margaret Taylor, qualified to play at Junior Wimbledon.  Later, when clubs were getting their own coaches, we acquired among others Mike Farrington, who started the Junior Open Tournament in 1978; this has continued annually up to the present day.  Kevin Livesey was another well-known favourite.

In the 60’s Squash was becoming popular, and accordingly two squash courts were built adjoining the Pavilion.  Clive Francis, the British Professional Squash Champion in 1968, was appointed Squash Coach. The demand soon required a third court, which was built with a glass back wall for viewing.  Several Open Squash Tournaments were held, and the public were able to watch world-class players such as the two World Champions Jonah Barrington and Geoff Hunt from Australia.  Other competitors included Abu Taleb and always a group from Pakistan (Hidiat Jehan, Gogo Aludin and others).  The standard of ladies' squash was very high, and in the late 60's the Lancashire Ladies' 1st Team was made up of St. Annes players – Pat Francis, Pam Bleasdale and Orelle Barlow (Gibson).  Brian Rhodes, Tony Bleasdale and Clive Francis all played for the County.

While having winning teams is important, it is just as vital for a Club’s activities to interest and involve all its members.  The St. Annes Club has always had a thriving social side; the activities ranging from the Annual Ball to dining-ins, Progressive Music Concerts and a float in the annual St. Annes Carnival, not to mention barbecues, and for several years fielding a team in Garstang’s `It’s a Knockout’ competition.

In 1980 Audrey Mann organised the twinning of Blau-Weiss Club in Werne, Germany, with the St. Annes Club.  In alternate years we visit them, and they us.  Many lasting friendships have been made; everyone enjoys the Werne hospitality as we hope they do ours. Let’s hope this venture continues to prosper.