Salford Lads Club auctioning comedy blue plaque signed by Andy Burnham and Ricky Tomlinson after fund-raiser

A well-known Greater Manchester venue is auctioning off one of its comedy blue plaques following an evening which brought together Greater Manchester’s mayor and an iconic actor and activist on its stage.

The city-region’s elected first citizen Andy Burnham chatted to Ricky Tomlinson, known for his work on screen and his involvement in politics and campaigning, on stage at Salford Lads Club.

The colourfully-named event Northern Powerhouse My Arse! has been judged a huge success and now the irreverent blue plaque which commemorates the evening is going under the hammer to raise more cash for the venue.

As well as the duo on stage the plaque has been signed by Ricky’s co-star and co-writer of The Royle Family, Craig Cash.

What was the event at Salford Lads Club and what is the blue plaque that is being sold?

Salford Lads Club organised the event in which the Greater Manchester mayor interviewed Ricky on stage as a fund-raiser.

They were introduced to the packed audience by singer Rowetta before two hours of discussion covering topics including Ricky’s television and film roles over the years, growing up in Liverpool and how he fell into acting.

In the second half Ricky answered a number of questions from the audience before Mr Burnham finished the Q&A with an enquiry of his own.

As a fellow Liverpudlian, Mr Burnham wanted to know what Manchester meant to Ricky, given the sense of rivalry that exists between the two cities.

Ricky said he loved the place and got a large round of applause when he acknowledged how similar they were. “I love Manchester...but I just love everyone!” he quipped.

There were also more serious and emotional moments as Ricky described how he fellow political activist Des Warren were unjustly imprisoned for trade union activities during the 1970s and not pardoned until March last year after their sentences had been quashed.

Ricky also shared anecdotes from working on Mike Bassett and The Royle Family.

Afterwards Mr Burnham, Ricky and Craig all signed one of Salford Lads Club’s comedy blue plaques.

In keeping with the nature of the event these are rather more irreverent than the plaques which can be seen adorning places associated with local worthies, with the one for the fund-raiser commemorating an evening of: “Talking Shite on Stage”.

How does the auction work?

The comedy blue plaque is now up for auction on eBay and anyone wanting to put in a bid has until around 8pm on Monday (14 March) to do so.

The starting bid is £50.

The venue is now hoping to capitalise on the night of Mr Burnham and Ricky in conversation and raise more much-needed funds.

Salford Lads Club manager, Leslie Holmes, said: “Seeing the concert hall full was a great boost for us at the end of Covid. It was fantastic to get Ricky and Andy here and attract an audience new to the club.

“The event not only raises funds for our ‘North’ T-shirt campaign, but it continues to raise the profile of the club as a unique centre in the North West’s working class heritage, and one that has to be saved for future generations.”

A place well known to the stars

The conversation between Ricky and Mr Burnham attracted a star-studded audience to the club, including Coronation Street’s Jennie McAlpine aka Fiz, musician and DJ Clint Boon and poet Tony Walsh.

Mr Burnham reminded the audience during the evening about when Tony read out his poem This is the Place on the steps of the town hall when talking about the city coming together after the bombing at the arena almost five years ago and what an impact it had worldwide.

Salford Lads Club has long been somewhere well known to the stars and those who have come through the doors before going on to fame and fortune.

Past fund-raisers for the venue have included musicians Noel Gallagher, Shaun Ryder, Peter Hook, Mani and Mike Joyce, actors John Thomson and Chris Gascoyne, and former Manchester City hero Paul Lake.

The venue is also a regular destination for TV camera crews, featuring in the likes of Cold Feet, Coronation Street and Last Tango in Halifax.

And eagle-eyed fans of drama Peaky Blinders may well have spotted Salford Lads Club in a recent episode, heavily disguised as a Methodist Hall where Tommy Shelby was giving a speech.