Forty years ago this country was experiencing a growing awareness amongst discerning people that hotels did not provide an environment conducive to sporting and social contact. This led to an upsurge in the formation of private clubs throughout the country, especially in the south of Auckland.

The early sixties saw the emergence of a group of like-minded men in Papatoetoe who were moving in this direction and one in particular, Mr. Tom Aldridge, organised a public meeting with the intention of forming a workingmens club in Papatoetoe...