On Sunday 30th September 'Bigmouth Bikes Again' when around 100 fans of The Smiths are to bicycle around Smiths Manchester landmarks including Holy Name Church and Cemetry Gates to raise money for The Salford Lads Club restoration fund.

The club became famous around the world after the Manchester band posed outside for their iconic inside sleeve of the 1986 album 'The Queen Is Dead'. Sadly the club recently suffered vandalism to the roof setting back their restoration plans.

'Bigmouth Bikes Again' - a pun on a Smiths song, has been organised by fan Ruth Martin (picture attached) who after reading about the vandalism decided to set about to help the club. Ruth said 'I was really sad when I heard the news and was going to make a simple donation but thought I could do better than that and decided a bicycle ride of Smiths landmarks around Manchester would be a great idea’

The 16 mile route follows Morrissey and Smiths related sights as set out in the guide book 'Panic On The Streets' by Phill Gatenby and will start and finish at the lads club, travelling from Ordasll through Stretford, Chorlton, Whalley Range and Strangeways prison.

Lads Club volunteer, Leslie Holmes is thrilled at the gesture from the fans, he said 'We have built up a great relationship with Smiths fans who come from all over the world to visit the club each year. It is fantastic that they are getting involved this way to help ensure the future of the club'.

The organisers are anxious to make contact with the original riders from the ‘Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before’ video from 1987 which featured Morrissey on his bicycle leading a teenage group of Moz-a-likes around Salford Lads Club and Strangeways!

We are thrilled to have the support of tribute band The Smyths who will be playing live for the event. The beautiful vintage ice-cream van ‘Everyday is like Sundae’ from Morecambe will be parked outside the club too! Photographer Stephen Wright [who took the original portrait of the band outside the club] has donated three limited edition large prints of The Smiths to be charity auctioned in September.

Fans wishing to take part can make an £5 entry donation via www.salfordladsclub.org.uk then email bigmouthbikes@fsmail.net for further details and an official sponsor form.

For more information please contact:

Phill Gatenby 07843446397 Kevin Lloyd 07986218547 or Ruth Martin 07957 612947

photo of Ruth by Marc Provins