Golborne Sports and Social Club
When Harbens Ltd of Golborne decided to sell the Company To Courtholds Ltd in 1958 The future of the sports sections run by the company was in serious doubt.
Courtholds indicated that they were not interested in the recreation grounds situated off Stone Cross Lane and would be willing to sell them to an interested buyer.
Three men who all worked at Harbens then got together and held a meeting in the Spinners Arms.
Golborne asking anybody with an interest in trying buying the land off Stone Cross Lane to attend. It soon became apparent whilst the sportsmen were interested in carrying on they did not have the were with all to buy the land.
Johnny Simpson and his two other supporters who had called the meeting Tommy Jackson and Jim Scotson then had to think of a way they could secure the land so that sport could carry on.
All three were active in the Trade Union and Labour movement in Golborne at that time and hit on the idea of Golborne Urban District Council buying the land then leasing it back at a peppercorn rent back to the new club.
They approached the Council who were delighted to help and the agreement went ahead.
Thus in 1959 Golborne Sports Club was Founded with Johnny Simpson elected it’s first Secretary and Jim Scotson it’s first Chairman.
At the time the Club consisted of two separate wooden pavilion type buildings one which was used for Social activities and one which acted as the Changing Rooms.
At that time only two sports were active. Cricket in Summer and Football in Winter.
It is interesting to note at this point that the Constitution of the Club states that if Sport should cease then the Club no longer should exist and should be wound up.
The next major development was the demolition of the old buildings and the building of a new Club in December at a cost of £11,000 in 1968. Since that time there has been many alterations including a new lounge and kitchen facilities. Also a bowling green was built thanks to a grant from the Sports Council and in later years an all weather playing surface plus floodlighting has been added as well as new practice facilities for Cricket.
In 1974 Wigan Metropolitan Borough was brought into being taking over from Golborne UDC and they have honoured the agreement made with the old council.
In the early 1970’s Crossfields Hockey in Warrington were told they would have to move.
They came to Golborne :first of all as just a men’s team but later when Oaten finished we acquired a ladies team also.
There has always been Darts and Dominoes played at the club and in recent years snooker and now there is thriving junior sections at both Cricket and Football.