Radcliffe District Soul Club Formally The Shirt Club
Manchester Sun 31 Aug 2025

While the club will be continuing its normal first Friday of the month evening sessions playing mainly Northern and Crossover aimed at the dance floor it has introduced occasional Sunday afternoon sessions playing a wider selection of soul music.

We arrived at the club venue St Mary's Catholic Social Club at about 1.45 to find the room pretty full, obviously there was a lot of interest in a new afternoon soul event. For those who haven't been there the room at St Mary's is a quite large room. You enter into the room with the table in front of you where you pay. A little way to the left is the bar, reasonable prices. Opposite the entrance is the stage with the DJs and equipment. There are seats and tables around the dance floor on three sides, with a raised area opposite the dance floor at the back.

The afternoon's DJs were: Bob Spendlove, Pete Ratcliffe, Phil Broadhurst, Dave Cartlidge,Tony Ollier, Gary Mattock and Dave Griffiths. Musically they mixed things up nicely, or at least nicely for me. Some people who attended didn't enjoy some of the music, obviously not to their taste. I am guessing that a lot of these were not known to listeners. However my impression was that most present enjoyed the variety of the music.

Here's some of the records played, covering a wide selection of our music in my opinion:

Will This Be The Day (Diana Ross & Supremes); Please Give Me One More Chance (Clyde McPhatter); I've Got Two Hearts; Wrapped Around Your Finger (Poets); I Need A Guy (Lovettes); I Don't Mind (Chuck Ray); Miss Heartbreaker; Another Day (Ascots); Let Somebody Love You (Keni Burke); You've Got To Help Me (Clifford Binns); Free At Last (Jackie Day); Can't Get Away From Your Love (Mary Wells); Baby, Be Mine (Sweet Delights); That's Why I Love You (Professionals); I'll Be There (Gems); Where Have You Been (Eddie Holman); plus many more.

There was no door tax but contributions to the MNDA charity (fighting Motor Neurone Disease) were welcomed and £361 was raised, a very good effort I think.

I understand about 80 were in, great for a new venture. I saw quite a few friends I'd not seen for a while and was particularly pleased to see Carmen and Nige Brown, friends of mine for years. They enjoyed the afternoon I know.

My thanks to the DJs, some fabulous music, and also the bar staff.

The next Sunday alldayer is 26 October, and this coming Friday it is the normal club night.