Hammersmith Stadium was situated at 45 Brook Green Road, which is thought to have been a stretch of road between Hammersmith Broadway and Brook Green?
News of a 1936 boxing event held at the Stadium appeared on this Home Page early last year.
A few articles from the West London Observer relating to the Stadium’s Club have surfaced. The first one appeared on 8th January 1937:
‘The management of the Hammersmith Stadium Club gave a successful New Year’s party and dance to their members and friends in their spacious dance hall.
The music was supplied by Mr Phil Eyles and his Rhythm Band, and was assisted at intervals by Mr Tommy Howard’s well-known accordeon players.
A word of praise should be accorded to Miss Dorothy Hopson for the fine impersonation of several well-known variety and film artistes.
Mr Patsy Hagate, on behalf of those present, thanked those responsible for the party, and Mr Harry Myers responded for the club.
Amongst the various spot prizes presented by the club was a huge box of chocolates, which was won by Miss H. Dawson, who handed them back to be given for the kiddies’ party, which takes place in the near future.
The M. C. was Harry Lewis.’
Four years later the Observer reported on an alleged wounding at the Club:
‘Two men shook hands in the Stadium Club, Hammersmith. One man withdrew his hand with a sharp cry and found it cut from finger to wrist.
There was a sequel at West London Police Court on Wednesday, when John Arthur Penny, 32, transport manager of Rylett Road, Shepherd’s Bush, was committed for trial to the Old Bailey charged with wounding Lawrence William Baker by cutting his right hand with an instrument.
His right hand heavily bandaged, Baker, who gave his address as Pope’s Road, West Ealing, said he knew Penny as a business acquaintance, and on April 14th saw him in a public house in Ealing.
Penny appeared to be quarrelling with a man named Martin and this went on until closing time. Later in the afternoon he again saw Penny in the Stadium Club, still apparently arguing with Martin.
“About an hour later I crossed the room and spoke to Penny,” added Baker. “I said I did not like to see rows,” and added: “There’s my hand. There’s my heart. We all live on one another.”
“I put my right hand out to shake hands,” said the witness. “He clasped my hand and I felt something go into it. When I released my hand I found there was a cut right across it.”
“Penny was holding some instrument which looked like a razor blade with a wooden handle. I did not wait but rushed across to the West London Hospital, where ten stitches were inserted in the wound.”
Replying to Mr H. Pierron, defending, Baker agreed that he returned to the club from the hospital and had several more drinks. Penny did apologise at the time, but had gone by the time he returned.
Detective Inspector Hewish said that he saw Penny in a public house in Askew Road on the following day, and arrested him. There was neither a knife nor a razor in his possession.
The secretary of the Stadium Club declared that he did not hear Penny and Martin quarrelling in the club. When Penny saw the injury he had inflicted on Baker’s hand he immediately apologised and explained that it was a pure accident.
Replying to Mr Pierron, the secretary said that prior to the handshaking, Penny had been standing cleaning his fingernails with his penknife.
Penny pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. He intimated that he would call his witnesses at the trial. He was granted £25 bail.’
Does anyone have any photo images of the Stadium or the Club?
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for his assistance)