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.

Copyright: Kentish Times.