About the youth club

35 Years of Realising Young People Potential

St Mary’s Youth Club has enabled young people in their personal and social development and to achieve and excel. The picture below shows the pop star Cat Stevens, Tom Hornsby (middle) and Reverend Peter Johnson who were some of the founders of the Club. Peter’s empathy and inspiration was due to being forced out of a wealthy home at age 14 and having to join the merchant navy. He never forgot what it felt like to be young and vulnerable.

In the early years St Mary’s excelled in football winning the Islington mid-week Premier Division and later made history by winning the London Junior Cup 3 consecutive years. Shaun Wright Phillips, Gifton Noel Williams, John Halls, Sheldon Fleming, Corrie Brown and Andrew Clarke all represented England as either school boys or England internationals.

Below is an image of Ian Wright at Wembley Stadium where St Mary’s were taking part in the Brent Cup finals.

The Duke of Wesminster, on behalf of Youth Clubs UK, presented us with an award for promoting racial harmony. In October 2006 at the Youth Achievements evening, held at the Emirates Stadium, and hosted by Police commander Barry Norman, Monique Matthews, Alex Daley, Nick Adams and Natalie Suliman received awards for their contribution to youth work.

In 2007 the Centre was modernised receiving funds from the Big Lottery Fund, St Mary’s Church, and the Bridges Trust to provide a new kitchen, a reception area and a fantastic dance studio.