founded on 3 December 1979
Founded on the 3rd of December 1979 by employees of the Woolworth Distribution Centre, on Royle Barn Road Castleton, the club celebrates its beginnings each 3rd December when the members renew their membership and this date also sees ex-employees gathering to share memories of the warehouse and offices now sadly demolished, most of the warehouse is still in use with part being a five a side football centre.
Some founder members still enjoy the club 34 years later and one founder member is on the current committee.
The club changed its membership rules to allow non employees to become members some years ago and is open to all with the yearly membership fee still under 20 pence a week.
The blow of the closure of the Distribution Centre, and Woolworths as a company, had a negative effect on the club but as all good things don’t necessarily come to an end, with the loyalty of members and the hard work of club stewards Annette and Bob Ashton and the staff , Bob is also a founder member, and the guidance of the small committee, better times are here and on the way.
The property and land at Royle Cottage was part of the Woolworths assets and several members formed a property company to ensure the continuation of Woolies Club as the community asset it is by purchasing the buildings and land.