ATV Today 09/03/1981 Working Men's Clubs, Leicester

John Mitchell report on the working men's clubs in Leicester. The city had more clubs per square mile than anywhere else in Britain, but the recession and changing entertainment tastes caused a drop in customers. View of Leicester city centre 1981, Tommy Carton of the Boot and Shoe Committee reading out the latest club dates on local radio. Shots of performers on stage at the LAOB Club in Leicester and views of the audience. Acts include Wally King who plays an electric pick and shovel, comedian Steve Ford and the Billy Walsh Showband. Interview with veteran entertainment secretary Wally Fawlks and Cathy Talbot, the country's first lady concert chairman

[@markspence3295]

You can smell that bar from here. Beer, stale smoke, brüt aftershave and Charley perfume. So many memories.

[@deaddave8805]

I am thrilled to have found this short clip of Steve Ford, the only footage on UA-cam to my knowledge. I was a young keyboard/ vocalist working under the name of 'Ian Murray'. Not only was Steve Ford a great comedian, he was also a great mentor to me and encouraged my own confidence to further my career in Clubland. I retired from entertaining a few years ago after many years of enjoyment in the Biz. God Bless Steve Ford for helping to turn my amateur performance into a long lived professional one.

[@johngriffin9914]

steve ford was a fantastic comedian i saw him only twice but i never forgot him,,,,,he had the talent to be a big star, happy days,,, the 70-80s

[@TheFatDadKev]

I was the organist at the Boot and Shoe for a few years and recognize a lot of faces on this film - There were some great acts such as the guitarist at the start of the film, I've accompanied him many times but at the moment his name escapes me, a really nice chap, always happy to see you, always smiling and a great performer, we always had a blast when he was playing - bumped into the Billy Walsh showband many times as well - the audiences declined quite rapidly over time, particularly when people started using cassette/CD backing, it was like listening to Karaoke, sometimes you'd have two artists on who'd sing the same song with identical backing, quite often the audience would get up and walk out. I think the main issue was our club was very reluctant to let young people join, they considered them 'hooligans' or 'ruffians' and simply wouldn't budge. I quit in '84 but I've some great memories, met my wife while working there and learned so much while working with so many different singers and musicians - I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat if I could.

[@petertullyschmidt]

The singer/guitarist at the start was Jack Robinson - his stage name was Robbie Jones.

[@UKTonyMagill]

Fascinating slice of history. I'm not from Leicester, but I now live there, but I don't think I heard a single Leicester accent in that whole film, which is weird.

[@MaMu-fv8uo]

My mum and dad (both in their early 70s) still say "they've got an artist on" whenever they talk about a pub having live music. :-)

[@jason-oliver-maisymitchell681]

Had few good nights in Belgrave club , was member ratby club, Glenfield social club and groby club .Best nights of my life in clubs with my dad .

[@paulm1162]

spent many hours with my brothers band in the early 80s in working mens clubs

[@terrycorrall9179]

Spent many a night at Leicester railways men club, east park road. When a large bottle of Ansells nut brown ale for 1shilling and 11 pence..great times

[@susannorthedge8584]

Remember Denis and the Rockets and Krispen Daze. I was there.

[@davidharris4560]

Thank you for uploading. Has my Grandad, Walter Harris aka Wally Billycock King in the film :)

[@timhoward5863]

I worked for a summer behind the bar at the Boot and Shoe Club on Wharf Street. It was always full on a Sunday lunchtime in the concert room. That was when they had the strippers.

[@TheFatDadKev]

I used to be the organist there on the big Eminent 2600 - couldn't beat Sunday lunchtime, I'd play a few tunes, watch some ladies take their clothes off and get paid for the privilege ! I quit in '84, some great times there.

[@petershrive416]

Stocking farm Sunday dinner brilliant bands 😮

[@11carbuff19572011]

That blonde girl in the blue dress looks unmistakably like a very young Joanna Lumley judging by her hairstyle.

[@user-td2qw4jl9i]

I'm surprised Tommy Carlton didn't mention the laob club was showaddywaddy first public appearance.

[@henbegone]

Stannis!