IN THE CLUB/ CROOKES CLUB, SHEFFIELD

Ongoing project at the Crookes Social Club, Sheffield documenting the events, clubs and friendships that take place within this 104 year old Sheffield former working mens club.

The project is devised as an antithesis to common negative narratives of social clubs - celebrating a venue that’s alive and kicking, a cornerstone of the local community that has survived and thrived by blending the old with the new.

Club acts and ticketed gigs regularly take place alongside bowling, snooker, bingo and pool, as well as kids’ parties, christenings, wakes, exercise classes, baby groups, dancing, socialising and drinking.

The Crookes Club is close to my heart due to my family’s involvement there since the early 1990s.

Images featured on Sheffield Tribune: A Tale of Two Social Clubs and Portrait of Britain 2023

Gruff Rhys in the Snooker Room (1) 2021. Winning image in Portrait of Britain Vol.5 (2023)

Print available

Gruff Rhys photographed in the Crookes Club, Sheffield with muted 1990s vertical striped wallpaper, holding a newspaper that reads 'Burger franchise opportunity'. Gruff is wearing a grey beanie hat and a red covid mask.
Gruff Rhys photographed in the Crookes Club, Sheffield with muted 1990s vertical striped wallpaper, holding a newspaper that read 'Brexit is a bad sax solo'. Gruff is wearing a grey beanie hat and a red covid mask.
A series of white adult males of varying ages playing board games in a social club, the Crookes Club, Sheffield. The suspended ceiling and illuminated trophy cabinet are visible as well as the red carpet and vertical striped wallpaper.

Board games club (with Gruff at the back), 2021

A group of 5 white males dressed in alternative casual clothing lit with directlonal, soft spot lighting. The group of males form Sheff Leppard, a tribute band devoted to Def Leppard. Sheff Leppard's drummer is the original drummer from Def Leppard.

Shef Leppard, 2022

A group of white people wearing casual alternative clothing are captured dancing and singing in a social club. They are watching tribute band Sheff Leppard.
A white woman and man in smart-casual beige summer clothing are sat down, with the man looking to camera and the woman with her eyes closed, looking down. The woman's cardigan is flowered and the man's shirt is checked.

Guests at a Golden Wedding Anniversary, 2022

A smartly dressed black male is photographed with his arms outstretched and singing into a microphone, directionally lit and with vertical dark pink LED lights behind him. The performer is Soul and Mowtown singer JP Morris

JP Morris, 2021

A documentary style photograph that captures a daytime party in a social club, with a number of people in the middle distance, close and background. The main action shows 2 people in motion, gesturing a 'train'.

Lovetrain, 2022

A white woman and man in party clothing are sat down, with the man kissing the womon's cheek and the woman smiling and looking to camera. The woman is wearing a cerise jewelled dress and the man is wearing a white & blue patterned shirt and navy suit

Mum and Dad at their golden wedding anniversary, 2022

Snapped Ankles, 4 males wearing boiler suits in navy, royal blue, mustard and black leather, with their heads covered by homemade textile masks and a pari of deer antlers. Photographed in a social club with pink striped wallpaper and drinks offers.

Snapped Ankles in the bar, 2021

An outdoor night image of a social club, Crookes Club after Snapped Ankles gig. Shows a car park, figures smoking and vaping and a lit sign displaying the venue name.
Next

Bradford Synchro