Steeped in History

Chapel Allerton Lawn Tennis Club was formed in 1880 with 17 male members. The club had 5 grass courts and a wooden pavilion. By 1927 the club was the northern venue for the Wimbledon qualifying event. Since then further courts have been added, totalling sixteen, of which 3 are indoor and three have floodlights.

In 1960 the club purchased a wooden squash court from Huddersfield LTC and due to the popularity of the sport the club changed its name to Chapel Allerton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club in 1963. The club now boast 6 courts of which three are glass backed.

In 1986 a gymnasium was added to the facilities and this area of the club now provides a wide range of equipment not just for the racket players but its own fitness members.

The club and its members have always played at a high level and achieved considerable success, as well as holding prominent positions in sporting bodies. From the early days the club has frequently dominated the Yorkshire Tennis League being the men’s and ladies’ champions on many occasions. In 2009 the squash team became the National Squash League Champions and members have triumphed on an individual level both locally and internationally. 

Chapel-A Timeline

• 1880
• 1927
• 1954
• 1960s
• 1961s
• 1980s
• 1985
• 2000s
• 2007
• 2009

1880

Chapel Allerton Lawn Tennis Club was formed in 1880 with 17 male members by Robert Middleton. The land was donated by WL Jackson, later to become Lord Allerton. The club had 5 grass courts and a wooden pavilion.
In 1881 Chapel A played its first match against Manningham and held its first Gentleman's Singles Championships.
This photograph can be seen in the restaurant area upstairs in the club with all the names of members who entered the 1896 tournament.

1927

From 1927 until 1967 Chapel A used to host the northern qualifying event for Wimbledon in conjunction with the Northern club in Manchester. This happened on 13 occasions.

1954

Michael Hann and Joyce Fulton (now Joyce Howden and a current member of Chapel Allerton) won the British Junior mixed doubles championship in 1954.

Michael played Wimbledon for 12 years from 1956 to 1967 and beat the 5th seed Chuck McKinley in the men’s singles in 1962. Joyce played for the Yorkshire County team for 26 years and played Wimbledon for 8 years, 5 times in the singles, 5 times in the ladies doubles and once in the mixed doubles with Roger Taylor reaching the last 16.

1960s

The early 60s saw the introduction of floodlights to the club. In addition squash was first introduced with the acquisition of a wooden court from Huddersfield LTC in 1960. To reflect this significant addition of another sport the current name of the club was adopted in 1963.

1961s

The Hot Foot began in 1961 when Brian Bedford and Mike Ambler challenged each other to a race - the winner to be the recipient of one pint of beer to be paid for by the loser.
The number of entrants increased and each runner received a handicap in minutes and seconds so two trophies are competed for - the Hot Foot Trophy for the first runner past the post and the Bat out of L for Leather Trophy for the fastest time.

1980s

This was the centenary year of the club and by this stage Chapel A boasted four squash courts and in 1983 the club built three indoor tennis courts.

Chapel A continued its sporting success both in the Ladies and Men’s Yorkshire Tennis Leagues, and added to this by being crowned squash national champions in 1982 and 1983-85.

The photo shows the winning 1984-85 team - the team members were D.Poole, M Hornby, M Scott, D.Pearson, G.Mortimer and R.Townsend.

1985

Chapel A invited Jo Durie to visit the club and pass on some her expertise to the tennis juniors.

2000s

In 1986 the gymnasium was set up in the wooden squash court. The range of equipment has grown steadily and is now a well equipped part of the club used by racket players as well as having a membership in its own right.

2007

The club underwent a major redevelopment in which two new glass backed squash courts were built and three new artifical clay tennis courts. In addition the reception and bar areas were modernised and the changing rooms upgraded.

2009

Chapel A won the National Premier League. The players in the squad were Thierry Lincou, Alastair Walker, Chris Simpson, Laurence Delasaux and Jenny Duncalf.