1971

It was clear from the Chairman’s Report that any form of reliance on financial donations was now wholly insufficient. Therefore, ‘The only way of preserving this type of Club, is to combine it with commercial and social activities, or as a community centre, producing a regular income.’

On the club-side, activities continued to flourish throughout 1971-72, thanks to the dedicated efforts of its volunteers, who the Committee proposed as ‘the answer to our problems’. The challenges for volunteer workers were not unacknowledged: ‘It is not easy working with young people today, they can be so changeable in their attitudes, swinging from friendliness to hostility, depression to elation, but it is this challenge that makes the work so interesting.’

Unexpected costs were never far away, with 1971-72 being no different, when a new roof costing £1,000.00 was fitted to the lower gymnasium, as well as new kits for the senior football teams, a new table tennis table, new amplifier for the disco and new snooker table and judo mat.

The new kit had its desired affect with the senior football team winning the Merseyside Youth Association Heinz Trophy where they beat Edge Hill Boys 3-2, after what was described as ‘‘one of the most thrilling Finals seen at Anfield for many seasons”. Further accolades were awarded to Brian Robinson who represented the M.Y.A. Intermediate Team in the National Championships, which Liverpool won. Later this year, Brian was selected for the England Boys Clubs where he went on to play three international matches, making him the first Florrie Boy to ever represent the England Boys Clubs for football.

Stanley Atherton won the Junior Amateur Boxing Association Championship with an outstanding performance, which granted him an invitation from the A.B.A. to attend the Munich Olympics as their special guest. Tony Lundstrum became the National Schools Champion and was also runner up in the Junior A.B.A.

Snowdonia and The Lake District were the chosen destinations for weekend camps. Shorter trips were made to Ainsdale beach, which gave the boys access to canoes, which they thoroughly enjoyed. A spirit of adventure and care had always prevailed at the Florrie. This year a group of members undertook the ‘Two Bays Walk’, which began at Liverpool Bay and finished at Barmouth Bay, a total of 110 miles. This walk included the conquering of two difficult mountains in North Wales, whilst hampered by the weight and inconvenience of camping equipment and food for seven days.

Drama was reintroduced, instantly becoming a popular activity, from which 12 lads performed comedy sketches to large audiences throughout the city.

Financial wows hit a further low when weekly discotheques were stopped temporarily, due to fire regulations and overpopulating. This led to further implications as the discos had provided a much-needed social outlet to the community, which suffered as a result.