I can also tell you that the very first Guest booked at the Liverpool Bothy (before Southport was colonised) was Cyril Tawney - a fact he never forgot and I'd like to think was rather proud of, 'cos I've got a letter he sent us years later reminding us of the fact! His gig was 8th February 1965 and the venue was the 'Cattle Market,' - a Walkers pub in Prescot Road with even the publicity proudly advertising its being near Stanley Abbatoir!
Again, there's a copy of the flyer on our website. Tony's name had been missed off by the printer and had to be added on with biro! The club's very first night had been 23rd November 1964, so I guess they had to save up to pay Cyril his £5!
Quite apart from the Resident Singers, you'll find detailed "Resident Guests" - Hilary and Joan. A odd concept. What was all that about?

Anyway after the Southport branch had been opened, in late April '65 firstly at the 'Railway Hotel' on Chapel Street - running there for 6 weeks until the huge crowds demanding entrance forced a move to the larger 'Blundell Arms' in Birkdale, both branches ran concurrently until mid-1966. Robin Dransfield was the final Liverpool Club guest on 13th July before the pressures of running both outlets meant something had to go. With so many competing Liverpool clubs and just the one operating in Southport, it was decided to concentrate on the newcomer.
We stayed at the Blundell until the end of 2003. Godfrey Boardman's Membership books from those early days reveal in excess of 800 members per annum (quite apart from any visitors) and of course you had to be queueing outside really early (pubs only opened on Sundays at 7PM back then) to stand any chance of getting in. Heady days indeed.