Judge’s comment:
“Llanrwst Royal British Legion is very proactive in the community and has focused on raising money for outside charities as well as its own social fund. The committee is very passionate about the club and has done a lot to keep it fresh. The bar was recently refurbished and a covered area outside has been developed for smokers. The committee is completely dedicated to the club and its members.”

Clare Balding (left) with The Route Organisation’s Sharon Singh with club secretary Michael Bucknell (centre) and Edgar Parry, club chairman of the Llanrwst Royal British Legion.

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Judge’s comment:
“What a lovely couple. Eric and Linda make members feel welcome and comfortable. They do all the work themselves, using casual staff as and when needed. It’s far more than a full time job for them; it’s a passion.”

The Marsden Conservative Club’s Andrew Stead (right) collects his award from Marston’s Ben Robinson.

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Judge’s comment:
“Alex Clark is a top flight club manager running an excellent club on the outskirts of Bristol. He and his team have managed to avoid the recession. They put on a tremendous range of activities for the members and raise large amounts of money for charity.”

Alex Clark, the BAWA Club’s manager, collects his award from Route’s managing director, Rob Morrall (right).

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Judge’s comment:
“St Kent’s caters for everybody and entertainment is a big part of the mix - there is something going on here all the time. The amount of charity work they do is phenomenal and I get the impression that the club is a lot of fun and really committed to the community it serves. I very much like the fact that the club promotes young bands. There is something for everybody here.”

Kevin Fitzpatrick, club manager of St Kent’s, picks up his award from John Smith’s Angela Ham.

Judge’s comment:
“This is a strong club with a loyal membership. The range of ales on offer is phenomenal and it is clear that club manager, Nick Byram, has a strong influence on the cask ale offering of the club. He plays to his strengths, and chooses to franchise out the catering. You can’t beat a club with locally sourced food and great real ales.”

Nick Byram of the Dartford Working Men’s Club receives his award from Cask Marque’s Annabelle Smith.

Judge’s comment:
“When it comes to traditional clubs, the Elm Tree Social Club in Stockton-on-Tees is the best around. The club offers so much to its members, including Quoits and bowls, plus a strong sense of community, live entertainment and, most importantly, extremely pleasant surroundings. The club has a strong committee ably watched over by club chairman John Docherty.”

The Elm Tree Social Club’s chairman, John Docherty, is presented with his award by Annabelle Smith of Cask Marque.

Judge’s comment:
“It’s not everyday that an entrepreneur like David Criddle buys a near derelict property and renovates it into a smart private members’ club that has gone from 80 members to 600 - that’s very impressive. David is very enthusiastic about the project and determined to make it a success.”

Moira Criddle (second from right) and Erica Baldwin of Club LS1 receive their award from Mediatheme’s managing director, Richard Horne.

Judge’s comment:
“The Wisley has carried out an impressive refurbishment programme that has received an extremely positive response from its members. This was all meticulously planned and executed within a surprisingly small budget when compared with a number of entries in this category.”

The Wisley’s chief executive Wayne Sheffield (centre) with the club’s award. Ian McDowell, the club’s sales and marketing executive (far left) and Club Mirror editor Matthew Moggridge on behalf of sister title InnDesign.

Judge’s comment:
“An impressive club all round with a well-rounded catering operation aimed at pleasing all the members. We were particularly impressed by the club’s introduction of Asian cuisine to service the strong Asian membership. The club has taken on an Asian chef and now caters for Asian weddings too.”

BA Concorde Club’s Tony Dormer (far right) picks up his award from Villeroy & Boch’s Mark Loynton.

Judge’s comment:
“A tremendous foodservice offering so hats off to the club’s head chef. Unlike most clubs, we were able to walk in off the street and judge 29 Royal Exchange Square incognito. The food and service were excellent.”

29 Royal Exchange Square

Judge’s comment:
“You can always tell a good club by the number of members that actively use it. Club 35 has pulled out all the stops, thanks to Steve and Maria Mountjoy who bought it just over a year ago and have set about making all round improvements, especially to the live entertainment. A lot of new members have been signed up on the strength of the club’s widely advertised programme of acts.”

Steve and Maria Mountjoy with Mediatheme’s managing director, Richard Horne (far right).

Judge’s comment:
“This club demonstrates good marketing activity using email, staff intranet as well as local press. Similarly, it promotes its entertainment widely by using The Entertainer and its website.”

Colin Bancroft, general manager of Rolls Royce Leisure, is handed his award by Carlsberg UK’s Jim Logan.

Judge’s comment:
“Heaton’s is good at looking outwardly for survival. For example, it was a brave move to appoint a commercial manager and a food and beverage manager to increase their offering and profitability. They have found clever ways to raise money, they’re ambitious and look after their members well.”

Heaton’s director Martin Kay (second from right) with the club’s award (centre) and Dave Richards, food and beverage manager, on stage with Clare Balding and Clubhouse magazine’s publisher Sean Ferris (far right).

GameOn National Poker is a national competition sponsored by Foster’s GameOn. The finals were held at the Club Awards 2009 at the Palace Hotel in Manchester during the Club Awards 2009.

Heineken’s Chris Cansfield with winner Margaret Mortimer

GameOn National Killer Pool is a national competition sponsored by Foster’s GameOn. The finals were held at the Club Awards 2009 at the Palace Hotel in Manchester during the Club Awards 2009.

Matthew Barcock (centre) receives his award from pool ace Gareth Potts.

National Killer Darts is a national competition sponsored by John Smith’s. The finals were held at the Club Awards 2009 at the Palace Hotel in Manchester during the Club Awards 2009.

Dave Butt (centre) receives his award from darts guru Bobby George.

Judge’s comment:
“A good all-round cricket club that serves its members well both in terms of sport and social activity. The club is making good headway in the field of cask ale.”

Stuart Chapman-Edwards (centre) receives his award from Marston’s Ben Robinson (third from right). Also in shot are, from left: Tony Chapman-Edwards (club member), Clare Balding, David Maddock-Jones (club treasurer), Sandra Hartley (assistant steward) and Lisa Emberton (committee member).

Judge’s comment:
“A long-established football club with a healthy reputation for a quality drinks offering, well-kept casks and a warm welcome."

Richard Ellis (centre) picks up Leyton Orient’s award from Carlsberg UK’s Veronica Wall.

Judge’s comment:
“A professional club that has undergone considerable refurbishment since new owners David and Beate Braban purchased it in 2006. The clubhouse has been completely renovated and the course has been improved including new irrigation, improved fairways and a driving range.”

Dudsbury Golf Club manager Paul Palmer receives his award from Mark Roberts of Fuller, Smith & Turner.

Judge’s comment:
“Fulford Golf Club prides itself on hosting International and European tournaments. It is equally proud of its efforts to encourage new players – particularly younger members. With the support of the Fulford team junior membership has grown from 40 to 120 over the past three years.”

The Fulford Golf Club

Judge’s comment:
“Small but effective club that is focused on family and children. I loved this club for its simplicity and integrity. What they do, they do well and they don’t claim to be anything they aren’t. They have longevity with their members and are devoted to them, both present and past, as shown in their support of an ex-player who has Motor Neurone disease.”

Club Mirror publisher Sean Ferris presents the Rugby Club of the Year Award to Chris Kayley who represented Eccles Rugby Club.

Judge’s comment:
“Everything one would expect from a club that has won King of Clubs - the British Aerospace Welfare Association (BAWA) Club is a good, all-round operation with high standards of excellence in everything it does. Well done to Alex Clark and his hard-working team.”

BAWA staff on stage to receive the highest accolade of the Club Awards, the coveted King of Clubs award.