The History of Middleton Tennis Club
The year was 1919, the date was May 4th and the time was 2 p.m
In 1919 the club was officially opened by the Mayor of Middleton and the” Middleton Cricket and Tennis Club (Tennis Section)” was born on Towncroft Avenue, where it is still sited to this day. The members threw themselves into this new activity with gusto. The club’s first ever tennis match took place on 31 May 1919 against Stretford Tennis Club. the result was a win for Middleton!! The club did not have to wait long for its second victory – it came one month later on the 28th June against Tyldesley Tennis Club. It was a further two years before the club was to start real competitive tennis rather than friendlies, at this point membership totalled 70 gentlemen members and 76 lady members.
Many of the names shown are of clubs long forgotten.
| Club | Result | Match score W:D:L | Sets | Games |
| Heywood | Lost | 05:00:13 | 15 – 26 | 168 – 230 |
| Royton | Won | 07:00:05 | 36 – 04 | 232 – 84 |
| Rhodes | Won | 09:00:03 | 21 – 03 | 135 – 77 |
| Bowling & Tennis | Lost | 04:07:07 | 14 – 21 | 131 – 168 |
| Moorside | Won | 17:00:01 | 33 – 03 | 212 – 66 |
| Royton | Won | 16:00:02 | 33 – 08 | 224 – 117 |
| Littleborough | Won | 16:00:02 | 32 – 09 | 171 – 100 |
| Heywood | Won | 07:05:06 | 20 – 17 | 169 – 146 |
1920s
On 24 April 1924 at one of the monthly club meetings a proposal was put forward to turn the existing 4 courts round to be able to admit more members!! It was also mentioned in the club minutes that the club had both hard & grass courts in use and the hard courts were to be opened on 1st Saturday in April the following year and the grass courts on 1st Saturday in May. By the 12th May the following year the club minutes show that the club now had 6 courts – 4 grass & 2 shale courts and that 4 courts where used for matches, a 7th court was introduced 3 years later. These were quaint times and in the club minutes there is mention of applications to buy new curtains for the windows and applications for the clubhouse to be kept open until 11 p.m. These where simpler times, without the distraction of TV’s, mobile phones etc. Indeed, during one club meeting there was a power failure and the meeting had to be completed by candlelight!!
1930s
Then on the 10th of May 1934, a special general meeting was called and from it – Middleton Tennis Club was formed – formerly known as Middleton Cricket & Tennis Club (Tennis Section). Some 6 days later work started on the building of a new wooden pavilion and it was completed 14 days later [The wooden pavilion served the club well until it was demolished in 2004 to make was for the current clubhouse]. The following month on 23 June – Saw the Official opening of the new wooden pavilion by Mr H A Clapp, who became a “Life Member”. Mr & Mrs H A Clapp donated the “Towncroft Cup” for club competitions (it’s whereabouts are not known). Club member Mr Temperley was elected as the “Variety Producer” for the winter session and “Organiser of Concerts” – Simpler and different times indeed. At the 1951 AGM was it was decided to enter teams in the Manchester & District League for Season 1953. This proved to be a very good move as both the men’s & women’s teams won their respective leagues in their debut season.
1950s
At the 1951 AGM was it was decided to enter teams in the Manchester & District League for Season 1953. This proved to be a very good move as both the men’s & women’s teams won their respective leagues in their debut season.
2010s
It took the club until 2011 to reach the pinnacle of the Manchester & District League when the men’s team won the 1st division title for the first time in their history finishing the league season undefeated. The club buoyed by this success continued in partnership with Rochdale Link4Life to provide weekly junior tennis coaching at the club on Tuesday’s throughout the summer months.
A Potted History of Events
1919
4 May – Club officially opened by the Mayor of Middleton at 2 p.m.
31 May – First every friendly match played against Stretford Tennis Club. A first win for Middleton.
28 June – Second ever friendly match played against Tyldesley. A second win for Middleton.
1921
Club membership was 70 men and 76 women.
1924
24 April – Proposal to turn the existing 4 courts round to be able to admit more members.
29 July – Mentioned in the club minutes that the club had both hard & grass courts in use. The hard courts to be opened on 1st Saturday in April the following year and the grass courts on 1st Saturday in May.
1925
12 May – Mentioned in club minutes that 4 of the courts to be used for matches of the 4 grass & 2 shale courts.
1928
5 Oct – Mentioned in the minutes of a 7th court being introduced.
1934
10 May – A special general meeting was called and Middleton Tennis Club was formed – formerly Middleton Cricket & Tennis Club (Tennis Section).
16 – 30 May – Erection of a new wooden pavilion.
23 June – Official opening of the new wooden pavilion by Mr H A Clapp, who became a “Life Member”. Mr & Mrs H A Clapp donated the “Towncroft Cup” for club competitions. Mr Temperley elected as the “Variety Producer” for the winter session and “Organiser of Concerts”. First winner of the “Towncroft Cup” was crowned. Not named in minutes.
1951
AGM was held and it was decided to enter both a gent’s and women’s team in the Manchester & District League for Season 1953.
Poplar trees planted alongside the courts.
1953
The men’s & women’s teams both win their respective leagues in their debut season.
1954
15 May – Club agree a club badge and a coat of arms.
2001
The existing 3 shale courts were replaced by 3 new all-weather courts.
2005
The wooden pavilion demolished and replaced by the current concrete clubhouse.
2011
The club wins the Division 1 title of the Manchester and District League after 58 years of trying.
2019
4 May – The club celebrated 100 years of tennis in Middleton.