​​IN addition to Oakwell, there are two places from my teenage years that I look back upon with great affection: The Georges Disco Hall, off Pitt Street, and Racecommon Road Youth Club.

The lights were always dimmed inside the Georges, as we likely-lads ogled the girls dancing to Motown music. It catered mainly for young people between the ages of 13 and 17 and the most potent drink on sale was Ben Shaw’s dandelion and burdock. If we were lucky we might, at some time during the evening, catch the eye of an attractive girl -– and I know that many permanent relationships began there.

Racecommon Road Youth Club, on the other hand, under the leadership of the amazing Geoff Rogerson and Eileen Starkey, was even better. It had everything the Georges had, plus the opportunity to play table-tennis, table football, pool, five-a-side soccer, swimming – or just the chance to hang-out.

It existed, not only to have fun, but to meet teenagers’ most fundamental needs. Unacceptable behaviour was quickly modified because first you were warned, then permanently excluded if it continued. It was a sensible contract that everyone bought into.

Being a youth club member was a wonderful experience where we all felt safe and happy. Once, when a young girl became pregnant and seriously suicidal, Geoff and Eileen stepped in to sensitively engineer a satisfactory conclusion.

But as life for teenagers in the 1980s and 90s became far more sophisticated, and catering for their needs more expensive, the money devoted to facilities for young people shrank. Priorities for our nation’s political leaders changed, so that the importance of public services, including youth provision, was relegated to the bottom of the pile.

In my view, it was an insane abrogation of society’s responsibility to the young, and its damaging consequences were easily predictable.

That’s why I was so pleased when Barnsley photographer Paul Hilton and Merseyside DJ, Tommy Noon, arranged for me and Graham Ibbeson to visit The Florence Institute (The Florrie) in Liverpool.

It’s a wonderful 21st century ‘youth club’ for people of all ages. And, for many years, has helped to meet the needs of people in the deprived area around The Dingle, South Liverpool.

Apart from Laurence Fenlon and a few other enlightened professionals, the Florrie relies heavily on enthusiastic volunteers. Much of its income comes from grants, hired-out rooms, fundraisers and donations.

The names of its beneficiaries, and patrons, are enough to make your eyes water. Here’s a sample:

Gerry Marsden (‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’) learnt the guitar there, and so did Joey Bower (The Fourmost – ‘Hello Little Girl’). Artist, Jamie Reid (Sex Pistol’s poster designer), Alan Rudkin (boxing champion), Ricky Tomlinson (actor and campaigner), plus scores of other household names, honed their skills as youngsters at The Florrie.

However, please don’t miss the essential point.

The Florrie is not great because it once produced a score, or so, of high achievers. It continues to be great because it’s open for ALL local youth to enjoy and thrive.

Today, its state-of-the-art facilities are impressive:

A spectacular grand hall, a multi-sports gymnasium, heritage centre, community arts and music room, library and IT suite, community cafe, radio studio, meeting rooms, managed workspaces and two community gardens.

When we value young people and meet their needs, the whole of society benefits because they are our future.

As Paul, Graham and I, sat in the Florrie Radio Studio (with a microphone under our noses and headphones covering our ears) I began to consider our beloved Barnsley. What a wonderful initiative the new Barnsley Base71 Youth Zone is. It recognises the vital importance of leisure and learning for both our young citizens and those not so young.

In Liverpool, that day, our primary aim was to appear on Tommy Noon’s radio show. Graham was promoting his new sculpture – ‘The Spirit of Defiance’ – and I was promoting, ‘A Tribute to Ken Loach and Kes’.

But all three of us Tykes were eager to give the Florrie the whole-hearted praise it deserves, while also waxing lyrical about our home town.

We asked Tommy Noon to finish our hour-long interview with John Lennon’s ‘A Working Class Hero’ and we all left Merseyside feeling inspired.

Please contact me on Facebook Messenger, to hear the whole interview.