Old Trafford Bowling Club Pavilion

There is evidence that the Old Trafford Bowling Club had been in existence before a limited company was formed in 1877. In 1873 the Preston Herald reported on a match between the local club and Old Trafford Bowling Club, while the obituary for William Shore who died in January 1877 recorded that he had been President of the club for some years. Where this earlier club played has not been established.

Old Trafford Bowling Club was incorporated as a limited company on 26 January 1877. Over the next three months a board of directors was created and shares offered. The new club was established on a site acquired from Sir Humphrey de Trafford on land between newly erected villas on Talbot Road and the Manchester Altrincham railway line. Before 1856 this had been part of the Manchester Cricket Club, but the lease had been terminated and the land repossessed for the Art Treasures Exhibition of 1857. In 1864 the Manchester Cricket Club never returned to its former ground. Instead in 1864 it merged with Lancashire establishing a county ground further along Talbot Road at its junction with Warwick Road where it remains.

OLD TRAFFORD BOWLING CLUB - This company proposes to acquire land at Old Trafford, in the Township of Stretford, county of Lancaster, for the laying out of the bowling green and for the erection of a club-house. It was registered 26th ult, with a capital of £10,000 in £5 shares, the subscribers being as follows:

5 Shares     G M Jones, 40 Deansgate, Manchester, merchant.
5 Shares     Thomas Chadwick, Gaythorne, Manchester, manufacturer
5 Shares     Joseph Alexander Dixon, Ellesmere Street, Manchester, timber merchant
5 Shares     William James Robinson, 24 Brick Street, Hulme, merchant
5 Shares     Thomas Smith 10 Lacy Street, Hulme, engineer
5 Shares     James Kemp, 17 Exchange Street, Hulme, butcher
5 Shares     William Robinson, Camp Street, Hulme, tallow chandler

The number of directors is not to exceed eleven, nor be less than five. Qualification, five shares. Remuneration £25 per annum until general meeting votes larger amount. [Manchester Courier 7 February 1877]

OLD TRAFFORD BOWLING CLUB LIMITED - Capital £10,000 in shares of £5 each. 800 shares only will at present be issued, and no member can hold more than ten shares.
DIRECTORS – Mr J Robert Hampson (chairman), Mr Thomas Chadwick, Mr Joseph A Dixon, Mr Councillor Jones, Mr James Kemp, Mr Councillor Little, Mr William Playford, Mr William Robinson, Mr William J Robinson, Mr Thomas Smith
The Share List will shortly CLOSE. Prospectuses and forms of application for shares may be held at the office of the Company, 38 Barton Arcade, St Ann’s Square. Edwin W Marshall, secretary. [Manchester Guardian. 6 March 1877 page 1]

In addition to laying out one of the largest greens in the area, the Bowling Club erected one of the most substantial clubhouses in amateur sport. As recorded in the Manchester Times the foundation stone of the pavilion was laid in early July 1877.

OLD TRAFFORD BOWLING CLUB LIMITED – A large number of shareholders and their friends of this company assembled at the grounds, Old Trafford, the other day, to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the pavilion or clubhouse which is being erected for the accommodation of members. The stone was laid by Mr Councillor Hampson, chairman of the company. [Manchester Times 7 July 1877 page 6].

The pavilion is of two stories, brick with blue brick stone dressings to the ground floor, half timbering with elaborate barge boards above. Slate roof. Balcony and verandah/terrace overlooking the green.

Reference    Preston Herald 21 June 1873 page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 January 1877 – obituary William Shore
Reference    Manchester Courier 7 February 1877
Reference    Manchester Guardian 6 March 1877 page 1
Reference    Manchester Times 7 July 1877 page 6 - pavilion foundation stone
Reference    Played in Manchester