Magdala Lawn Tennis Club

MAGDALA LAWN TENNIS CLUB: A SPORTING LEGACY FORGED IN NOTTINGHAM

For more than 140 years, Magdala Lawn Tennis Club has been a quiet powerhouse of Nottingham’s sporting heritage, a place where history, community and championship talent have all left their mark. Founded in 1883, it has endured through changing times, producing champions, fostering lifelong friendships and remaining a cornerstone of local tennis.

THE BEGINNINGS: 1883 AND A NAME WITH AFRICAN IMPERIAL HISTORY

Magdala takes its name from Magdala Road, but its origins trace back to the British Abyssinian Campaign of 1868. Soldiers of the Sherwood Foresters, Nottinghamshire’s county regiment, were among those who stormed the fortress of Magdala in Ethiopia to rescue British hostages at an enormous cost, equivalent today to well over £1 billion.

The expedition made Magdala a name both widely renowned and, even in the Victorian era, controversial. Whether ex-military officers from the campaign played a role in the club’s formation remains an open question for further research, but Magdala certainly reflects Nottingham’s firm ties to the armed forces in the late Victorian imperial era.

COURT CONSTRUCTION AND THE FIRST MATCHES DURING THE LATE 19th CENTURY

Magdala’s first members had previously been part of the Park Club but wanted courts closer to home. In an era before motor transport, setting up a horse and cart for the journey to the Park Club would have been an inconvenience, even though the ride itself would have been just 20 to 30 minutes. The decision to establish a local club for Mapperley Park enthusiasts was compelling.

In 1883, overseen by C.S. Wardle, construction began to prepare a playing surface adjacent to the grounds of the old Mapperley Hall Estate, which had released much of its land for housing development throughout the 1870s. Wardle’s son Archie later recalled helping out with Magdala’s ground preparation as a youngster. In the meantime, members played tennis temporarily at the Forest Recreation Ground a mile to the east.

By 1884, Magdala’s own lawns were ready for play. A newspaper advertisement that year sought a groundsman to maintain them, and in September, the club made its first known appearance in print. The Nottingham Evening Post reported on a match against A.T. Oliver’s team, with the visitors winning nine sets to three. Among the early Magdala players was a Mr Leighton, one of the few to secure a victory and later an influential figure at the club. Teddy Leighton also played football for Magdala Amateurs and even made an appearance for England.

MAGDALA & LACROSSE (1885 - 1901)

In 1885, the Nottingham Lacrosse Club expanded its activities to include tennis as a summer sport. At the time, much of the Forest Recreation Ground was still used as a racecourse, and the lacrosse club secured the paddock for use as a tennis ground, paying £20 per year in rent plus an additional £5 for access to rooms in the grandstand building.

With tennis growing in popularity, members of Notts Lacrosse Club also began using Magdala’s courts. By 1889, Magdala’s original club had ceased operations, possibly due to financial difficulties or internal disputes, though records remain unclear. It was the lacrosse players who took over the grounds, effectively merging the two clubs into the Notts Lacrosse and Lawn Tennis Club.

Lacrosse remained dominant in the early years, but by the late 1890s, interest in the sport had faded, while tennis continued to grow. In 1901, the club formally dropped lacrosse from its name, marking the official return of Magdala Lawn Tennis Club.

A CLUB OF CHAMPIONS: THE RISE OF COMPETITIVE TENNIS (1910s - 1930s)

Magdala quickly became one of Nottinghamshire’s strongest tennis clubs. In 1914, just before the outbreak of war, the men’s team won the county’s Inter-Club Competition for the first time. After the war, they repeated the feat in 1919 and 1920.

One of the most influential figures of this era was Harold Lymbery, who played a key role in forming the Notts League. Magdala became its first-ever champion in 1924. Another standout player was Cecil Hannah, the club’s best male competitor, who dominated local tennis and captained the men’s team from 1925 to 1936.

FROM MAGDALA TO WIMBLEDON GLORY: THE RISE OF FREDA JAMES

The club’s most famous name is Freda James. She first made her mark at Magdala in 1927, winning the Mixed Doubles alongside A.C. Cullen, a local footballer for Notts Magdala. Within a few years, she had established herself as one of Britain’s brightest tennis prospects, winning county titles and dominating the Nottingham Open.

Freda’s success went far beyond Nottingham. In 1933, she won the U.S. Women’s Doubles Championship. Two years later, she triumphed at Wimbledon, winning the Ladies’ Doubles in 1935 and again in 1936. Her rise to the top put Magdala on the map, making it one of the few local clubs in the country to produce a Grand Slam champion.

Carol highlights Freda's successes.

A CLUB SECURING ITS FUTURE (1930s - 1950s)

James’ success coincided with significant developments at Magdala. In 1936, the club replaced its separate men’s and women’s pavilions with a new clubhouse, a major investment of £500 that reflected its growing status. Just a decade later, in 1944, Magdala took a decisive step in securing its future, purchasing its land for £1,750 and forming a limited company.

The post-war years saw Magdala continue to thrive. The men’s and women’s teams won multiple league titles, and in 1958, the transition from grass to hard courts began. By the late 1980s, the last remaining grass courts had been replaced with modern carpet surfaces.

MODERNISATION AND EXPANSION (1990s - 2020s)

By the 1990s, Magdala was ready for its most ambitious development yet. A £26,000 National Lottery grant, combined with an LTA loan and club funds, allowed for the installation of state-of-the-art ‘Trojan’ carpet courts. Floodlights were added to all courts, ensuring year-round play and strengthening the club’s presence in Nottinghamshire tennis.

MAGDALA: A CLUB WITH HERITAGE AND HEART

Magdala Lawn Tennis Club is more than just a place to play. From its 19th century foundations to its role in producing a Wimbledon champion, it has constantly evolved while staying true to its original spirit. A community club with a championship pedigree, Magdala continues to be a place where talent is nurtured, friendships are forged, and the love of tennis lives on – just as it did in 1883.

Check out more photos on our gallery page.