The Smiths legend backs Salford Lads Club for 'doing what it does for the last 120 years'

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has said it is crucial that Salford Lads Club is saved from closing.

Last month, it was revealed that the recreational club on Coronation Street was on the brink of shutting down after bosses said it needed to find a quarter of a million pounds by the end of November in order to survive.

Since then, more than £229,000 has been raised - with a number of big name musicians, politicians and local celebrities backing the cause through donations and auctions including Noel Gallagher, Courteeners and Graham Nash. You can donate here.

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Over the years, Mike, who was originally born in Fallowfield, has campaigned to help raise funds for the recreational space and has also recently donated a number of items to auction off to help the fundraiser.

In 2017, he helped the club raise enough money to employ a full-time sports coach, whilst also working with Andy Burnham to help a number of children who attend the club to visit New York on an expenses-paid trip, which included a visit to the Boys Club of New York and The Girls Club of Lower Eastside.

In 2021, Mike also helped promote the club's fundraising T-Shirt by declaring it was 'proud to be a symbol of Northern working class culture'.

With The Smiths, Mike’s connection to the venue stems as far back as 1985 when a picture of the four-piece taken by photographer Stephen Wright was used within the artwork for their 1986 album The Queen Is Dead.

It put the Salford venue, which helps children provide an outlet through sports, music and other hobbies, on the map for many people beyond Greater Manchester and has become a pilgrimage over the years for The Smiths fans around the world to visit.

Speaking about the club, Mike told the Manchester Evening News this week: “It’s been open since 1903 so it’s been doing what it does for 120 years. That alone should be enough of a reason to keep it.

“It’s something that’s in business to create opportunities for youths in everything from boxing, snooker and football - they’ve got about six teams there. It provides a place for young kids to go and be entertained and entertain themselves. That’s the reason why it should survive.”

The club also has a dedicated The Smiths room - full of photos and messages that has been described by loyal fans as an ‘intimate love letter’ to the band. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Morrissey had also donated to the fundraiser to save the club.

“Lots of people have got behind it,” Mike explained. “Noel’s helped out, Morrisey’s helped out, I’ve donated some stuff that they can auction. It's great that people are piling in to help, but I think it needs some kind of government or council funding.

“It can’t just keep on doing this every few years when it’s struggling. It’s not even like they’re asking for anything extravagant, like luxuries or Sky TV, they need the money just to keep the doors open and to keep doing what they're doing.”

Earlier this week, an autographed guitar used by Noel Gallagher during his time with Oasis was sold at auction for £12,500 - more than three times over its lowest estimate. A chunk of proceeds will go directly to the club.

On Wednesday afternoon (November 21), Mike will also be appearing in Manchester - at the Wheatsheaf pub in Northern Quarter - for an unveiling of a mural of former bandmate Andy Rourke to coincide with World Pancreatic Cancer Day following his passing last year. The event, which fans are welcome to attend, is set to take place from 1.30pm.

You can donate to the Salford Lads Club fundraiser here.