Heywood club facing High Court legal action due to name change

Hopwood Sports and Social Club, formerly known as Hopwood Unionist Club, is being threatened with court action by the Association of Conservative Clubs (ACC) for changing their name.

The club, which was Conservative led since 1898, changed its name after 87% of its members voted in favour of a new name at an Annual General Meeting.

But now the ACC is threatening the club on Manchester Road, Heywood, with legal action as they say members are acting illegally.

Peter Burt, secretary of the club, said: “The Conservative led name was affecting our business. People would question it when they wanted to hold a function or become a member so we discussed making a change. We have explained to the ACC that when former MP Jim Dobbin was elected, only 12% of people voted Conservative so it doesn’t fit the area anyway.”

Mr Burt says that the threat came in December and since then, the club hasn’t heard anything but they want to make other clubs aware of the rules the ACC has.
He said: “They are saying that when we signed up, it was for life but our solicitor has said that there is nothing in law that’s for life. A house lease isn’t even for life. That is for 999 years so how can this be for life?”

It is understood that the ACC has threatened to take the club to the High Court, which could cost them thousands of pounds.

Mr Burt added: “I don’t know if they will go through with it but they have said they will take us to the High Court and that is something that could cost us thousands. They don’t even talk to us to be honest, they just send us threatening letters so who knows what’s next.”

In a statement issued by the ACC, it said: “We regret that the actions taken by the committee of the Hopwood Unionist Club have placed the Association of Conservative Clubs (ACC) in the unfortunate position of having to consider legal enforcement proceedings. The Constitution of the Hopwood Unionist Club does not permit either a change of name or political objects without the ACC’s prior written consent. Despite being informed of the legal requirements, the club’s committee have gone ahead with changes which are in breach of their own constitution.

“The Club has renamed itself the Hopwood Sports‎ and Social Club and seeks to ignore its Conservative objects and the legal requirements of its own constitution. The assets of this club are held by elected trustees who have a legal obligation to ensure that the terms and requirements of the club’s constitution are adhered to. We have advised the club’s trustees to obtain independent legal advice on this matter.

“The ACC has an obligation to ensure the long term survival of the Hopwood Unionist Club so that it can serve its members and the local community for many years to come.

"We are disappointed that as a result of decisions taken by the club’s committee that we have been forced into this position and we sincerely hope that a resolution can be reached without any need for legal action.”