What was a spontaneous adventure in Manchester turned into my favorite aspect of my study abroad experience. I’ve never listened to The Smiths, apart from hearing their name in the popular TikTok sound. Nevertheless, when I heard that some classmates were taking a trip to the Salford Lads’ Club, I decided to join. After an eventful tram ride and a relaxing walk through the suburbs, my classmates and I arrived at a public park. This park was where a group of mostly young 20-year-olds turned into 5-year-olds like the flick of a switch. After we stumbled upon the playground, we all gravitated towards it, and knew we had to make a pit stop. The swings have always been my favorite part of any playground growing up, and like I said, my inner 5-year-old self-shined through the second I saw these. These were unlike any swings I have seen before. Unlike traditional swings arranged up in one straight line, which is always awkward when you are trying to talk to a friend next to you, these swings were designed perfectly for effective conversations. Its layout of 5 swings shaped into a pentagon rather than a strip was so unique and intriguing. About 30 minutes later, we are back on track to the Salford Lads’ Club, located at “Lads’ Club, Coronation St, Salford M5 3SA, UK” If you are looking for an experience like no other, take the trip but only during the hours they are open. Why? Because the inside of this building is much more impressive than the famous outside. Okay, time for some history. So, this building was finished being rebuilt in 1888, in which it became the Groves and Whitnall Brewery. The two brothers James Grimble Groves and William Groves (pictured) were in a partnership with Arthur Willian Whitnall. Later in 1903, the brothers became the founders of the Salford Lads’ Club. Between 1886 and 1910, many of these “lads’ clubs” were created, due to the urge to stop teenage street gangs, and provide them with another opportunity. The club officially opened in 1904 and keeps the family involvement through James Grimble Groves’ great grandson and now great-great grandson being the president of the club. On our adventure, we all were under the impression that the Smiths used to play here before getting big, and that it was just some local pub. Boy were we wrong. Upon entering, we were greeted so warmingly by a woman who worked there, who was kind enough to give the group a tour of the building. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones who were completely wrong about this place. There were so many different aspects of this building that were intriguing, and when we were brought from room to room, I didn’t want to leave the one we were currently in. What was most notable though, was “The Smiths Room”. This is a room they dedicated to the Smiths and their fans due to the popularity of the club after they took an album cover photo featuring the club in the background. This room was so colorful and unique, I wanted to look at every photo inside. This room was used for weightlifting competitions prior, which settled my confusion about there being plates and barbells just surrounded by all these pictures of The Smiths. The next room was highly impressive, with over 22,000 names on a wall of the first initial and surname of anyone who has been a member of the club since the founding. In the center is a multisport court, and keep in mind these different aspects of these buildings are feet away from each other, it just feels so surreal. This visit was easily my favorite experience, I think somewhat adding to why I loved Manchester the most. Definitely take the trip, whether you like The Smiths or not, and find yourself in a place like you’ve never seen before.
