THE WORLD’S oldest working men’s club can now look towards securing its future after a local firm donated the £5,000 it needed.
The Correspondent told how Ridge Hill – formed in 1861 – launched an appeal as it faced a legal bill so it can formally change trustees so it can sell the upstairs accommodation.
Now locally-based Smurfit Westrock has stepped in and donated the whole sum so it can look to keep on operating.
And handing over the cheque turned into a trip down memory lane for one employee, Alan Alcock.
For he was a member of Ridge Hill WMC’s treble-winning football side in the 1999/2000 season – and his picture is on the wall!
Paul Bishop, life secretary of Ridge Hill WMC, explained what the donation will mean, as selling the upstairs will pay off debts and allow the club to invest in its facilities.
Smurfit Westrock, based on Knowl Street in Stalybridge, will also help the club by taking part in a football match against it.
Sunday, September 21 will see the teams in action at the nearby pitch at Stamford Park.
Sarah Brennan, human resources manager at Smurfit Westrock, heard about Ridge Hill WMC’s place in history and had to act.
She said: “When I read Paul’s appeal about the club’s future being at jeopardy and the impact this will have on our local community, it was an easy decision for us to get involved.
“I mean, who doesn’t want the world’s oldest working men’s club to succeed?
“Supporting local communities is not just our responsibility, it’s a privilege and we are proud to be in a position where we can financially support Ridge Hill Working Men’s Club.”