The
increase in affluence in late Victorian times
especially in wealthy suburbs increased the
amount of spare time people had, encouraging
the growth of sports clubs.
Reformed in 1856 and originally built in the
centre of town, the club gradually transferred
its activities to a new ground between Plaistow
Lane and Widmore Road as the town grew in
that direction.
Clubs were often associated with a greater
variety of sports than their name would indicate,
hence the cycle race illustrated here.
