For as long as there have been human beings, there have been clubs: associations of like-minded people getting together to socialise, drink, eat, and talk about whatever it is that binds them. In ancient Greece and Rome, most clubs were religious or political. Fans of a particular god or goddess would meet up to worship him or her (and, in some cases, show their devotion in gatherings that basically turned into orgies). Supporters of certain politicians would do the same – and some of these clubs became hotbeds of conspiracy and were closed down.
Clubs and associations in the 17th and 18th century
Fast-forward to the 17th and 18th centuries, when social clubs were becoming popular in Britain, growing out of London’s thriving coffee-house scene. (The word “club” in this sense derives from its other use – a stick used as a weapon – as these were places where people would gather in a club-like mass.) Over the years, these institutions have given us the club sandwich, club soda, club-class travel – and possibly the world’s most famous quote, from Groucho Marx (“I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member”)
21st century clubs in Britain
Over the years, British clubs have added greatly to the cultural wealth of the nation, but some of them have also become notorious as bastions of exclusivity, snobbery and boorish behaviour. Today, though, in the 21st century, some clubs are beginning to move with the times – across all the social classes (we’ll leave to one side the very different world of nightclubs and clubbing culture).
The upmarket Garrick Club in London still refuses to allow women to become members (though they can be admitted as guests), but it is one of the last of London’s private members’ clubs to do so. Earlier this year, meanwhile, Royal Troon golf club in Ayrshire voted to allow women members – this followed the earlier decision that Muirfield golf club would not be considered as a host venue for the Open golf tournament because of its male-only membership policy.
Rugby clubs hitting the headlines
And then there was the story that hit the headlines in 2014, when members of the rugby club at the prestigious London School of Economics handed out a controversial leaflet which described women as “mingers” and “trollops”. A couple of decades ago this kind of thing might have gone unnoticed, but not today: the LSE subsequently disbanded its rugby club.
A change of attitude in British clubs and associations
This kind of change in attitude seems to be taking place in the clubs that form part of the backbone of sporting Britain – the hundreds of rugby clubs in towns and villages across the country. Here, the times are changing. The rise of women’s rugby has changed the character of many clubs – the boozy, macho atmosphere portrayed in Lindsay Anderson’s 1963 film This Sporting Life would be considered over the top these days. And the body that oversees English rugby union – the Rugby Football Union – now hands out awards for clubs that have demonstrated “community engagement”; this means bringing the sport of rugby to a wider public, rather than its traditional “blokey” demographic.
Rowdy behaviour, drinking, singing and dancing
Of course, this doesn’t mean that rugby clubs and other sporting clubs have become like monasteries: rowdy behaviour, drinking, singing, dancing, men dressing up in women’s clothing – these things are the bedrock of British life. But these days there is more to a night at the rugby club than getting plastered, singing rude songs and necking a bottle of aftershave (there were famous occasions in the past when rugby stars were seen drinking the free aftershave that was left out on their banqueting tables, with very nasty results).
Generation Abstemious and the evolution of clubs
For one thing, young people are drinking less alcohol than ever before. These are the people who have become known as “generation abstemious”: they like a drink, but they don’t want to get blotto. So any self-respecting bar will serve a decent selection of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks. Likewise with women: their tastes are different. Most women don’t want to spend an evening downing pints of ale (though admittedly there are some who will happily do so). A choice of wines, spirits, mixers and cocktails will therefore be greatly appreciated.
Many rugby clubs and similar establishments also top up their coffers by hiring their premises out for wedding receptions, parties, and so on – so it will help if they can create an ambience, an atmosphere that is friendly and inclusive. Today’s customers want more than a cavernous room and a bunch of barstools; they want a comfortable, friendly, attractive environment.
Club furniture and furnishings
Which brings us to the issue of buying club furniture. Whether a rugby club is attractive or off-putting can be determined, to a great extent, by something as simple as tables and chairs. An empty hall with a smattering of functional stools and bare tables will simply not do: there are some who are happy to stand up all night, but others like to sit in comfort, recline, relax, and have a good chat and a laugh. Good quality chairs will help enormously, as will tables of sturdy construction and decent size (and without wobbly legs!).
The benefits of mixing and matching club furniture
There’s also a widespread superstition that furniture in a bar, a club or a pub has to be matching. This is nonsense. Mixing and matching furniture will give a place a much more homely, organic atmosphere. A nice big old sofa placed up against a wall with a low table can be complemented by an array of more contemporary tables and chairs, with perhaps high stools up at the bar. Armchairs – or, perhaps more appropriately, club chairs - can be scattered around, too. And although this might sound like heresy, there could even be room for furniture with fabric coverings, rather than the usual leather and its substitutes.
Making the most out of sporting events
A popular attraction at rugby clubs these days is the big-screen showing of live sporting events. TV screens are now available in mightily impressive sizes, so that a hall full of people can see the action at events such as the Six Nations (coming up in February). It might pay, therefore, to invest in a decent number of sports bar furniture like stackable chairs that can be stored away when not in use and brought out for the big games.
Chairs at the front of the hall could be complemented by tables and chairs towards the rear. And maybe food and drink could be “themed” according to the teams playing, which could lead to some interesting combinations: Scotland v Ireland (smoked salmon and Guinness); England v France (English beer and French cheeses), Italy v Wales (Italian wine and Welsh lamb). And so on.
Image credits.
'A Club of Gentlemen' by Joseph Highmore (1730)
'Women's rugby is becoming increasingly popular. Next year sees the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland'
'Lindsay Anderson's 1963 film 'This Sporting Life' with Richard Harris depicted the macho world of Rugby League'.
'Rugby clubs such as Farnham are installing big video screens in their clubhouses to show major sporting events'.