Salford Lads Club...

Manchester music aficionados, especially fans of The Smiths, will have no trouble recognising Salford Lads Club. The club was opened in 1903 by Robert Baden-Powell (who later founded the boy scout movement). A purpose built club for boys, the aim was to keep lads off the streets and encourage them to become "good and worthy God-fearing citizens". For over 100 years the club has continued to provide its services right up to the present day and is now open to girls and boys. Among former members are five time Oscar nominee actor Albert Finney, 1950s Manchester United footballer Eddie Colman (who was to die in the Munich air disaster), Allan Clarke, lead singer of 1960s pop group the Hollies and Graham Nash also of the Hollies who went on to form Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. In 1985 the club was catapulted to lasting global fame when it was featured on the the Smiths' bestselling album, 'The Queen Is Dead'. Over 25 years later and little has changed to the now listed building which has become a tourist destination for the legion of Smiths' fans who want to recreate their version of photographer Stephen Wright's shot of singer Morrissey and his bandmates. Originally, the club were displeased with the association but over the years there has been a change of attitude and in 2004 the club opened 'The Smiths Room'. Instantly, the room became a shrine to the band; a place for fans to soak up history and memorabilia and add their own appreciation of the band on a tribute wall. Formed in 1982 and based on the song writing partnership of vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, the Smiths released four studio albums, several compilations, and numerous singles. The band also included bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. The BBC described The Smiths as "the band that inspired deeper devotion than any British group since The Beatles". They broke up in 1987 and have refused to reunite despite many offers to do so.