History of the Club
Victoria Lawn Tennis Club takes its name from its original location, Victoria Park, where it was established in the spring of 1910 using the courts and pavilion there.
The original pavilion was on Mayors Walk and was shared with the bowling club. The annual subscription in 1910 was 2/6d and the club's first AGM was held at the famous Turkey Café on Granby Street on 25th January 1911. Membership was limited to 48. Within 4 years the subscription had doubled and the membership rose to 59.
Those members who joined the forces during the Great War were placed on the 'Honorary Members List' and others doing voluntary work did not pay subs. Members entertained the wounded, sent cigarettes to serving members and even presented the Secretary with an engraved watch upon joining up! At this difficult time club funds were stretched, but Ladies membership had to be closed due to large numbers.
In October 1919, The Gentlemen arranged a dance for the Ladies in the Knighton Church Rooms Clarendon Park and three days later there was a dinner at the Royal Hotel Horsefair Street - one assumes one assumes only for the gentlemen, as the ladies sent a special greeting to those who had come through The Great War.
During the inter war years the club continued to thrive and set up a waiting list for applicants. In 1921 it became affiliated to the LTA and entered The Sports Mercury Cup. It increased its courts at the park to five and adopted colours - claret and gold - and a club blazer badge. There was a good social scene and the minutes refer to 'Excuse Me Dance', 'Flirtation Dance' and games like musical chairs, singing and party games. They even purchased a gramophone!
In May 1934 the club moved to its present site on a 3 year lease from Browning Bothers, taking up four of the seven courts. Access was granted from Stoneygate Road. In 1938 the membership was 83.
During WW2 the club managed to keep going by leasing only two courts and reducing membership to 50. In 1941 it abandoned its tournaments and donations were sent to the War Charities Fund. Membership slumped to 21 and it was difficult to obtain tennis balls. Subs were reduced to £1.00.
Things picked up after the war - five courts were leased again and the top court was let to Mr Doug Haines - the chief County Coach who was responsible for much of Mark Cox's progress.
IN 1951 the club purchased the Clubhouse and 5 courts from Mr Browning for £2,500. The money was raised by way of a loan from the LTA and members loans. The membership was now 100 and there was a foundling junior section. Our Life President (Jon Rice) was elected a member in 1952 and he joined the committee in 1957. The men's and ladies ' 1st and 2nd teams were playing in Division 1.
An anniversary dinner was held in 1960 to commemorate 50 years in existence; the championship board was presented by H.Mawby and by December that year the first floodlights in the county were installed on court one. An exhibition match was held to 'switch on'.
The sixties saw changing and somewhat turbulent times with the purchase and subsequent sale two years later of land at the rear of the current club house, but 1969 saw a new club house and the old one on Stoneygate Road was sold.
In the eighties Park Lane was developed by the builder Littlejohn and there were failed negotiations to sell off court one. The bottom courts were turned 90 degrees in 1990 and changed from shale to macadam . The club changed its name in 1994 to Victoria Tennis Club. We now have five floodlit courts , a vibrant clubhouse and a strong junior section.
We move forward from our centenary year with a proud history that deserves to be celebrated by young and old, past and present members and with a real optimism for the future.
The original pavilion was on Mayors Walk and was shared with the bowling club. The annual subscription in 1910 was 2/6d and the club's first AGM was held at the famous Turkey Café on Granby Street on 25th January 1911. Membership was limited to 48. Within 4 years the subscription had doubled and the membership rose to 59.
Those members who joined the forces during the Great War were placed on the 'Honorary Members List' and others doing voluntary work did not pay subs. Members entertained the wounded, sent cigarettes to serving members and even presented the Secretary with an engraved watch upon joining up! At this difficult time club funds were stretched, but Ladies membership had to be closed due to large numbers.
In October 1919, The Gentlemen arranged a dance for the Ladies in the Knighton Church Rooms Clarendon Park and three days later there was a dinner at the Royal Hotel Horsefair Street - one assumes one assumes only for the gentlemen, as the ladies sent a special greeting to those who had come through The Great War.
During the inter war years the club continued to thrive and set up a waiting list for applicants. In 1921 it became affiliated to the LTA and entered The Sports Mercury Cup. It increased its courts at the park to five and adopted colours - claret and gold - and a club blazer badge. There was a good social scene and the minutes refer to 'Excuse Me Dance', 'Flirtation Dance' and games like musical chairs, singing and party games. They even purchased a gramophone!
In May 1934 the club moved to its present site on a 3 year lease from Browning Bothers, taking up four of the seven courts. Access was granted from Stoneygate Road. In 1938 the membership was 83.
During WW2 the club managed to keep going by leasing only two courts and reducing membership to 50. In 1941 it abandoned its tournaments and donations were sent to the War Charities Fund. Membership slumped to 21 and it was difficult to obtain tennis balls. Subs were reduced to £1.00.
Things picked up after the war - five courts were leased again and the top court was let to Mr Doug Haines - the chief County Coach who was responsible for much of Mark Cox's progress.
IN 1951 the club purchased the Clubhouse and 5 courts from Mr Browning for £2,500. The money was raised by way of a loan from the LTA and members loans. The membership was now 100 and there was a foundling junior section. Our Life President (Jon Rice) was elected a member in 1952 and he joined the committee in 1957. The men's and ladies ' 1st and 2nd teams were playing in Division 1.
An anniversary dinner was held in 1960 to commemorate 50 years in existence; the championship board was presented by H.Mawby and by December that year the first floodlights in the county were installed on court one. An exhibition match was held to 'switch on'.
The sixties saw changing and somewhat turbulent times with the purchase and subsequent sale two years later of land at the rear of the current club house, but 1969 saw a new club house and the old one on Stoneygate Road was sold.
In the eighties Park Lane was developed by the builder Littlejohn and there were failed negotiations to sell off court one. The bottom courts were turned 90 degrees in 1990 and changed from shale to macadam . The club changed its name in 1994 to Victoria Tennis Club. We now have five floodlit courts , a vibrant clubhouse and a strong junior section.
We move forward from our centenary year with a proud history that deserves to be celebrated by young and old, past and present members and with a real optimism for the future.
