ONE of Greenock’s last surviving social clubs is still going strong as it celebrates its 65th birthday.

The Regent Club in Westburn Street is run by retired ambulance man John Gallacher and his long standing colleague Billy Clenaghan, a former Ferguson’s security guard.

As the Dockers Club gets ready to shut its doors, like many other establishments before it, the Regent Club continues to carry on and has a membership 602-strong, although only a quarter of them are regular patrons.

Now as they reach a milestone anniversary they are appealing to people to look out old club photographs, and particularly from the original premises in Charles PlaceSecretary Billy, from Port Glasgow, said: “ I think the secret is to never, ever carry any debt.

“We never have and we never will.

“We spend what we have.

“It is a shame about the Dockers. It is really tough going to run a social club and others are struggling.”

The Regent Club has a proud working class history and was set up as a Catholic gentlemen’s club in Charles Place.

John and Billy, who went to school together, have been involved in the club in one way or another for 40 years.

John, below right, of Holmscroft Way in Greenock said: “There were so many social clubs at one time.

“Times have changed.

“We used to be busy on a Saturday night but people don’t want to come out at that time anymore.

“We are busier in the afternoons.

“Our bingo afternoons are packed.”

The Regent Club give the winners of their bingo and football cards the chance to pick their own charity to give their donations to.

This has meant they have supported countless local charities.

John added: “We decided to adopt Children in Poverty Inverclyde as our own charity because it is an excellent cause.”

Both John and Billy are committed to the Regent Club and say they’ll continue to run it for as long as they possibly can.

The Regent opened its doors in 1952 during the golden era of social clubs.

They grew so big, with hundreds of members, that they eventually had to move to Westburn Street.

John said: “It was a big move at the time.

“One of our oldest members is 88 and he comes in at the same time for a pint.

“He has never been anywhere else.

“He told me he was pleased we had a new TV because if we are spending money he knows we are doing okay and we are going to be here for a while yet.

“I think the Regent Club will see both Billy and I out!”

If anyone has any photographs or memories to share of the Regent Club on its big birthday they should call John or Billy on 722598.