English Steel Sports Club, Shiregreen Lane.

[Lysanderix]

My Dad having been demobbed from the RAF quickly returned to his old job with ESC and since children were allowed in their sports club,providing they were with parents  I spent hours there….Mum and Dad had a drink of beer and I had a Vimto . As they had a dance on Saturday evenings I learned to dance there,play snooker and ,in summer ,enjoyed the extensive playing fields with tennis ,bowls and acres of football, rugby and cricket pitches. Competitive athletics took place at their annual Gala Day which was a big local event with side shows ,ice cream and all the fun of the fair.

Other steel companies had their clubs….Sadly, I think they have all now gone but ESC was an important part of my childhood.

 

 

[johnm]

ESC Sports Club was a big part of my life when I worked there 1960-1967. Played tennis twice a week, watched cricket also played snooker, darts etc. I was in R&D & we had an annual Indoor Games Tournament there. Great memories !!

[Ponytail]

ESC Sports ground was a big part of my childhood, we lived on Bellhouse Road backing onto the tennis courts. Dad played Cricket and Hockey for ESC, if he wasn't playing he was talking about it in meetings. I followed dad everywhere he played home and away. Honed my hockey skills along with a young lad while our dad's were playing, then helped the groundsman to get the flags in, from the rugby, football and hockey pitches. It was a long wait for him to come out of the changing room as he always had to talk through the match until there was no one left. 

I'm told dad hit a 6 that hit my pram while I was asleep in it. Have an invoice receipt for the repair for a window in the clubhouse. Dad had hit a 6 and it had gone through the window and onto the snooker table, quite a feat as he was batting from the bottom crease. 

We used to go to the ballroom dancing, led by dancing teachers Frank and Peggy Higgins on a Friday night. 

We always enjoyed the Sports Galas even though dad was banned by the local AAA's from competing as he had accepted money for Man of the Match award at a charity cricket match during the war.

Passing my 11 plus, on the schools sports equipment list was a tennis racquet. Filling in the handicap form, I was told if I wanted one I had to win it. The handicapper knew me, it went on age and size but they took me further back from the back line, but it didn't stop me winning the racquet. 

When I was old enough Mollie Betts asked dad if I would like to play for the hockey team. Which I did until an opposing team had my old primary school teacher playing for them and got me stopped as she knew my school would disapprove of me playing for school in the morning and ESC in the afternoon. 

We left Bellhouse Road in the early 70's and it was gut wrenching when some years ago I was in the area and went to see the old place. Gone the groundsman hut, changing rooms, no bowling green, tennis courts? what was left of them, pitches in a sorry state and the club house looked as though it wasn't cared for any more. I'm so glad dad never saw his beloved sports field in the sorry state. 

If you worked for one of the big steel firms they all had their own sports  grounds and you were part of a big family who worked, played sport and socialised together. 

[Ponytail]

ESC Cricket Team in front of the Pavilion. 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;v02540&pos=17&action=zoom&id=43818

[Ponytail]

Bowling, Bill Jarvis, Matt Cook, Frank Smith and George Bradley. 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;v02543&pos=491&action=zoom&id=43821

[Ponytail]

 

ESC Hockey Team 1945/6 Indian International Garewal Singh captain centre. Bob Short player back row extreme right. 

It was Singh's last year with ESC

[Ponytail]

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;v02542&pos=126&action=zoom&id=43820

The wooden changing room behind the cricket team, housed a communal bath, no showers in those days. Down the side to the right in what I think must have been the boiler room, where the groundsmen made their cups of tea and kept warm. Round the back of the changing room were steps up to the Rugby pitches. The hockey pitch was in front of the Club Pavilion alongside Shiregreen Lane, with a line of poplar trees next to the high concrete block fencing. 

The tennis courts backing onto Bellhouse Road also had high concrete block fencing but the occasional tennis ball still found its way into the gardens, which my dad always returned. 😁

The entrance from Shiregreen Lane, from what I can remember, had at least one spectator entrance with a turnstile. Large crowds attended during the war for charity cricket matches against teams with internationals and overseas cricketers in them. 

There was/is a pedestrian entrance from Bellhouse Road between the Council Houses and the terraced houses. Beedham family lived in the council house and Willingham family in the terraced house.

Nearly opposite what originally was the P.O on Bellhouse Road was another opening to the Sports Ground but I never saw it used. There was a new gate at the sports field end, at Bellhouse Road end it originally had a large wooden fencing and probably years before wooden gates. The strip of land wasn't used, only by the children of the street for play and the frogs frequenting the site. 

There was/is an entrance from Foxglove Road, where my dad was born and grew up. Dad always said he'd never used that entrance, but I noticed while doing research the address of the site is now advertised for football pitches as Steel City Recreation Ground, 194 Foxglove Road. 

Steps led up to the verandah along the front of the Club Pavilion. The large room of the Pavilion, often used as a dance floor was to the left as you went in. There were meeting rooms leading from that room. The bar was set back in what seemed like a small room. Children were definitely not allowed in there. To the right of the entrance was a room with at least one snooker table. I was always forbidden to go in, so I'm not entirely sure what else was in there. 

I remember the cricket matches, wives and children of the cricketers usually came to watch making it a social occasion. All the children playing together while the wives chatted. There was always "a good spread" for cricketers tea.

Away matches (I remember going to Scunthorpe) a coach would take cricketers, wives and some older children. On the way home some of the men played cards and there was always a sing song. 

[Ponytail]

ESC Cricket Team about 1950

Back Row left to right: Bill Grant,  ?,  ?,  ?,  ?, Ray ?, Joe Grant, scorer. 

Front Row:  ?, Billy Balme, Jack Spencer, Bob Short, Tom Hollowood, Geoff Goodall, Neil Wildsmith.

In the background, line of Poplar trees and the wooden fencing which was replaced by concrete block fencing, Concord Park keepers house right. 

[Ponytail]

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;v02544&pos=209&action=zoom&id=43822

The cricketers wives were stylish

[Ponytail]

Cricketers Wives

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;v02546&pos=210&action=zoom&id=43823

[Lysanderix]

My time at the Sportsclub, would be from being a young child in the late1940s until the early 1970s. I well recall the “cricketers”, who always seemed to be a special breed, especially those imitating Denis Compton with their Brylcreamed hair.

Referring to the pic of the wives I wonder what the buildings are in the background….they don’t appear to be the pavilion/changing rooms on Shiregreen Lane. I wonder, could the photo have been taken on one of their away trips.?

There were two full sized snooker tables…which were kept in immaculate condition….on at least one occasion, then World Champion…Joe Davis.played a couple of exhibition matches before an invited audience.There was also a dart board. Leading off from he main room on the way to the Gents toilet was the “ Holy of Holies”…Johnny Walker….the full time Club Secretary’s office.

My memories of the bar area are quite different from those of Ponytail. I distinctly remember ,as a child ,buying my crisps and Vimto from the bar, being served by stewards…Mr and Mrs James…although only when it was a quiet period.My Dad was a keen and enthusiastic committee man….and, on occasions, stood in for the regular Stewards when they holidayed.

 

 

 

a

[Ponytail]

19 minutes ago, Lysanderix said:

My time at the Sportsclub, would be from being a young child in the late1940s until the early 1970s. I well recall the “cricketers”, who always seemed to be a special breed, especially those imitating Denis Compton with their Brylcreamed hair.

Referring to the pic of the wives I wonder what the buildings are in the background….they don’t appear to be the pavilion/changing rooms on Shiregreen Lane. I wonder, could the photo have been taken on one of their away trips.?

There were two full sized snooker tables…which were kept in immaculate condition….on at least one occasion, then World Champion…Joe Davis.played a couple of exhibition matches before an invited audience.There was also a dart board. Leading off from he main room on the way to the Gents toilet was the “ Holy of Holies”…Johnny Walker….the full time Club Secretary’s office.

My memories of the bar area are quite different from those of Ponytail. I distinctly remember ,as a child ,buying my crisps and Vimto from the bar, being served by stewards…Mr and Mrs James…although only when it was a quiet period.My Dad was a keen and enthusiastic committee man….and, on occasions, stood in for the regular Stewards when they holidayed.

 

 

 

a

Thanks for enlightening me on the mysteries of "the other room". Sounds as though the club was often "the place to be"

Yes, I queried the buildings in the background, but my informant was adamant one was taken ESC Ground. There was the scorers hut near the tennis courts a possibility for one of them. My memory of it isn't very clear, only ventured in once and came away suitable chasened. 😂 It may have been condemed/removed by late 50's. I too think they are possibly taken elsewhere.

Do you remember Ernest the older of the groundsmen, forgotten the name of the younger more portly one? They sometimes made us cups of tea in the winter. Another lad, Paul whose dad used to have something to do with the football team was another flag collecter, along with Andrew and myself. 

My memories are from early 50's to early 70's. No doubt our dad's knew of one another. Dad was on the Cricket and Hockey Committees for years. As to the brylcreamed hair, great care was taken in some cases to hide the thinning hair. 😂

[Lysanderix]

Hi, ponytail…..I am sure our paths must have crossed as would that of our Dads.

Indeed, I do remember Ernest and I recall being shouted at ,in no uncertain terms ,for trespassing on his precious bowling green on a fine Saturday evening…as many of us young lads, bored with parents dancing ,used the grounds as a playground. At that time, and at our tender age girls weren’t encouraged.!🙄
 

[Ponytail]

2 hours ago, Lysanderix said:

Hi, ponytail…..I am sure our paths must have crossed as would that of our Dads.

Indeed, I do remember Ernest and I recall being shouted at ,in no uncertain terms ,for trespassing on his precious bowling green on a fine Saturday evening…as many of us young lads, bored with parents dancing ,used the grounds as a playground. At that time, and at our tender age girls weren’t encouraged.!🙄
 

And quite right too. 😂 Hope you didn't venture onto the cricket pitch. 😂

Don't think I ever accompanied my parents to a Saturday dance, dad wasn't that fond but to appease we went Friday nights to a much more sedate affair with instruction at the start of each dance. My much older sister must have attended on a Saturday because a young man who I seem to remember had something to do with playing of the records was a frequent visitor to the house until he was called up for his 2 years National Service. 

It was certainly a hive of activety and I can testify the sports facilities very well utilised, we had a grandstand view from the back bedroom window. Cricket nets for practice, budding tennis players, fiercely competitive departmental cricket and football matches. There must have been 3 representative football teams, 2 mens hockey and cricket teams, ladies hockey, think there was a netball team, unsure how many rugby, tennis and bowls teams not to mention the indoor sports teams. With most of them I assume socialising afterwards over a drink in the Pavilion. 

I think the Annual Gala Day must have finished in the early 60's, the last one I competed in was 1963. By that year there certainly wasn't the usual races around the field open to employees and athletes from local athletics clubs who competed for the big prizes. 

Although not held at Shiregreen as it wouldn't have been large enough, there was the Annual Sports Club Dance and Awards Presentation and a separate Staff Dance often held at the Cutlers Hall.

All these activities went into decline with the break up of British Steel Corporation, River Don Works as it had become a few years before. 😢

[Lysanderix]

Saturday night dances and social evening were normally accompanied by Eric on his piano….on Christmas and New Years Eve…..where a drinks extension was on till 11 pm….Eric was joined by a Double bassist….who made it a special night.

I must confess I have no knowledge of dancing instructions on a Friday night…most Fridays Dad was at the club playing darts, crib and dominoes.I was taught to waltz, quick step and ,sadly ,very badly ,the foxtrot by Mum….who must have had painful shins!

To add to your list of sports activities there was …archery. The club also had its own angling ponds at Aston , where one fish had a hair lip, so they said, having been caught so often it was made a life member of the Club😊😊😊…as well as sharing a small bore shooting range at a disused quarry in Ecclesfield. This took place on a Sunday morning and I shot a few hundred 0.22 rounds together with Dad. There was also a motor club with the occasional “ rally” in Derbyshire. Not Le Mans but great fun in beat up pre war( and pre MOT) vehicles.!

ESC was renationalised in 1967 thus beginning its slow decline and the eventual closure of the Club.

🙂

[Ponytail]

View taken by W. A. Smith from the back bedroom of 218 Bellhouse Road overlooking ESC Sports Ground, showing back gardens of Nos. 224 occupied by Short family, 222 Smith family, Mrs Smith kept the sweetshop at the side of Hatfield House Lane School and her sons had a greengrocers on Bellhouse Road near St. Christopher's Church, Mr Smith was often seen helping with gardening at the front of the school & 220 occupied by Jack and Margaret Gent, she kept the Wileys wine and spirit off licence at the front of their house, he worked in the offices for Tennants Brewery, Lady's Bridge, sons Graham and Alastair although one of the boys looks too old for Alastair. It must have been taken about 1954/5, by 1956 there wasn't a greenhouse in No. 220

ESC Netball Team in action and the cricket scoring pavilion on the left. 

 

E.S.C Hockey Team with rear of Nos. 226- 230 left and Nos 232 etc after the gap. Housing on Torksey Road in the background between the gap. 

I know the faces but can't put names to them. 

Back row. 4th from left Alf Platts, second from right Bob Short. Front Row. 2nd from left everybody called him "Curly" think his surname Morley?, next to him is Bill Betts captain. 

I would guess this photograph is taken 1958/9 definitely before 1961.

The cricket scorers hut is no longer there. 

[Ponytail]

Charity Matches in aid of the War Fund were played at ESC Sports Ground in front of large crowds. County players being the attraction, these matches were held across the City during the War. Sometimes Overseas Cricketers (Touring as they were sometimes referred to.) took part. During Millhouse Cricket Week in 1943 West Indies, E. A. Martindale played and W. Norman and Bob Short from ESC were selected to play for Millhouses C.C. in aid of The Sheffield Newspapers War Fund. As they weren't playing for ESC have posted 2 other cricket cards under the heading Sheffield Sport, Local Cricket Heroes. 

 

 

[Lysanderix]

Thanks, Ponytail, your box of treasures is amazing and we should all be grateful to you for placing examples.on the forum. The advert for Wilks Bros interests me since that was the place at which Mum was working before she had me…a few months before the match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ponytail]

34 minutes ago, Lysanderix said:

Thanks, Ponytail, your box of treasures is amazing and we should all be grateful to you for placing examples.on the forum. The advert for Wilks Bros interests me since that was the place at which Mum was working before she had me…a few months before the match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Lysanderix, they've been carefully kept by the family over the years. They're stories that need to be shared because they involve others who may not have a family archive or a photo of an ancester. The next generation might not want to keep the paperwork in this digital age. Perhaps someone can put names to the faces and add to the story. I love the adverts gives an insight into life as it was. 

[Lysanderix]

In an earlier life ,I tutored local history groups ,out Doncaster way, as part of an EU funded scheme in areas decimated by the closure of the coal mines. I encouraged exactly what you are talking about, ponytail, it is real history and needs encouraging,

Three of the groups I worked with ended up writing local histories…which gave them great satisfaction…especially, when one was launched in the local library, with tea and biscuits…and the Mayor.

[Ponytail]

 

 

 

 

[Ponytail]

No date recorded, probably during WWII

[Lysanderix]

I remember how keen was the competition in these inter departmental games. My Dad helped run the Spring Shop and Light Press team which had a player who was as an amateur with Chesterfield FC….much to the consternation of some of the opponents!

[Ponytail]

3 minutes ago, Lysanderix said:

I remember how keen was the competition in these inter departmental games. My Dad helped run the Spring Shop and Light Press team which had a player who was as an amateur with Chesterfield FC….much to the consternation of some of the opponents!

Cheat! 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[Lysanderix]

Must have been allowed in the rules🤓🤓🤓