Linden Lea rally to ensure bright future

Formed in 1924 in Finchfield, Linden Lea's history is remarkable.

They've survived a World War, redevelopment plans giving them just 12 months to relocate and the tough act of constantly bleeding new members into the club.

The club are set to open their first tennis academy at their impressive hub smack-bang in the centre of Compton Park campus.

Chairman Alan Hughes has been married to fellow club member Jenny for 54 years, after they met at the club more than 60 years ago.

Together, along with up to a dozen other lasting marriages the pair have seen the club peak as not just a tennis club, but also one of the most reputable social meeting points in the area.

But for now Alan, 76, and Jenny, 81, are thrilled at the plans put in place to ensure the club has a rich future to match its glorious past.

The club certainly have facilities to attract new members having been re-housed 12 months ago to a new base alongside Wolves' training ground in Compton.

A chuffed Alan said: "It's been fantastic to move onto the new site with the brick-built clubhouse and three floodlit courts.

"We're on the Compton complex next to Wolves' training base and there are two schools there, St Peter's Collegiate and St Edmund's School.

"There is Wolverhampton Girls' High School just down the road and also Wolverhampton Grammar School, with places like Smestow Academy also close.

"The Way Youth Zone in the city are also very keen to be involved. We want more youngsters at the club. At the moment we have about 60 senior members and 30 juniors.

"So we hope that the academy will help us with that and get more local kids involved."

Mike Clendon is the club's chair, and they have three men's team competing in the South Staffs Tennis League, along with a women's team.

For their fresh academy unveiling, Hughes and Co are hoping that the brother and sister partnership of Dan and Sally Nicholson will prove a big attraction.

Sally arrives as official coach of the academy, while Dan – who coaches with Wombourne and Worfield tennis clubs, will also be helping out.

The club recently hosted a taster session open day for keen youngsters to come and practice their for and backhands.

Alan continued: "We think there is tremendous potential for our club now. We have tried before to moderate success but there is real impetus with the new clubhouse and facilities.

"Last time we were on older courts, rather caught up on a building site. Dan and Sally's help will hopefully really get the academy off the deck.

"We're hoping to have a great relationship with the schools and the youth zone. I know Dan has already been St Peter's to give some sessions."

Driving up interest has not always been a concern for Linden Lea. Hughes explained the secret to long-lasting 'love' – was purely that the club was the place to be.

He said: "In those days we were the centre of junior activity in the area. We actually had to limit the age that people were able to join at 22. There was even a waiting list!

"It wasn't just tennis. We would go to dances, do swimming – all different social things."

Boasting double-figures in lifelong partnerships is something a dating agency would be proud of.

He said: "As youngsters do when they go to social clubs and spend a lot of time in one place – the young men and women got together.

"There have been lots of weddings, my own included, and all of the partnerships saw a lifetime.

"Some have died now and some moved away, but we have a handful who remain social members and we get together every month.

"Neville Tarratt is 90 now and last year he helped us open the new base, he even gave a speech.

"Roger and Monica Wilkes remain part of our social club and Peter and Joyce Wakeman are still interested in the well-being of the club."

While the past remains a fairytale story, Alan is insistent that Linden Lea's latest initiatives will provide a bright future.

He added: "It's very easy to think of the past. But we've got to look forward."