A Brief History of Birkdale Lawn Tennis Club (1878 - Present)

In May 1878, the Birkdale Archery & Tennis Club was formed. Their first season saw them hire three courts at the Palace Hotel, located at the end of Weld Road. With 43 members, the annual subscription was set at 7/6d (37.5p) for men and 5/- (25p) for ladies—no doubt a modest sum by today’s standards!

By 1923, the Club had expanded, renting seven grass courts and boasting a membership of 120. However, a shortage of male players led to a decision in 1931 to reduce the men’s subscription to the same rate as the ladies’ (£2.7s.6d). Despite this, the Club continued to face challenges in attracting male members, and further reductions were made, while the fee for women remained at £2.2s.0d.

When World War II struck, the Palace Hotel was requisitioned by the Ministry of Works and later into a rest home for US Army airmen from 1942 to 1945. By the end of the war, the Club had dwindled to just 25 members, and finances were in serious trouble.

The revival came in 1948 when the Club was reborn with renewed energy. Within a year, membership was back to full capacity—and there was even a waiting list!

In 1950, members came together to raise £1,050 to lay two hard courts, increasing the membership to 145. It was a bold move that laid the foundation for future growth.

The year 1968 marked a precarious turning point. The Palace Hotel’s owners went into liquidation, and the land was sold for development. With just six months to relocate, the Club moved to Victoria Park in 1970, where it was granted a licence to use a set of public courts.

By 1976, Birkdale Lawn Tennis Club was ready to take its game to the next level. The Club entered its first team into the Southport & District Tennis League, starting in the 6th Division—a modest beginning, but a start nonetheless.

However, the grass courts at Victoria Park were prone to flooding, thanks to their low-lying location near the sea. The water table was a constant issue, and the Club soon realised that a more reliable venue was needed if they were to extend the season beyond a few short months.

In late 1987, the Club turned to Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club with an exciting proposition: would they consider accommodating Birkdale Tennis Club with four courts? After some negotiations, the Cricket Club agreed—but, as always, there was a significant hurdle to overcome: funds.

Over the course of 1988, through the generosity of past and present members, along with fundraising efforts that included raffles, supper parties, and dances, the Club raised an impressive £20,000. Additionally, a grant from the Sports Council helped to secure the final necessary funds to lay four all-weather courts. The new courts were officially opened at the Southport & Birkdale Sports Club in October 1989, marking a new chapter for the Club.

Around 80 members made the move to Trafalgar Road. At this point, the Club had only one team in the Southport & District Tennis League, still playing in the 5th Division. But things were about to change.

A few years after the move, the Club fully merged with Southport & Birkdale Sports Club, forging a successful partnership with other sports sections.

In 2005, Birkdale Lawn Tennis Club reached a new milestone, winning the 1st Division title in the Southport & District Tennis League for an incredible nine consecutive years. That same year, the Club also triumphed in the prestigious Prince Interclub competition. Success continued with the League Championship titles in 2010 and 2013, and the Christiana Harley Cup win in 2016.

Since 2015, the Club has been one of the few to field five teams in the Southport & District Tennis League—an achievement that showcases the Club’s large playing membership base.

More recent successes include the 3rd team winning the Joseph Lord Cup in 2021 at Argyle LTC, and the 2nd team taking home the Trinity Shield in 2022.

In 2022, the Club took another significant step forward. All four courts were resurfaced with high-quality, two-tone green artificial grass, giving members access to some of the finest tennis facilities in the town. We’ve also continued to invest in our beloved tennis pavilion, which now boasts a new roof with spotlights, an upgraded kitchen, and a beautifully landscaped adjacent garden.

As we look back on over 140 years of history, one thing is clear: Birkdale Lawn Tennis Club’s journey is far from over.

The rest, as they say, is history!