A SPORTS social club which was men-only for 114 years has broken their own tradition - and appointed its first female committee member.

Whitworth football and cricket club in Rochdale, which was established in 1895, has only ever allowed women to join as associate members.

This meant they could not go into the tap room or watch snooker matches.

But now Valerie Pearson, who has been going to the club for 10 years, has been enrolled as the first full female member and now membership will be open to any woman from January.

Graham Blore, club secretary, at the Whitworth club, said: "Following the death of Sam Marchington, who did so much and filled so many roles at the club, we were short of a committee member. "At our annual meeting it was proposed that we opened full membership to women.

"It is a historical moment - some were not for changing. It's a bit like the suffragettes!"

Valerie said: "I've been going to the club for about 10 years, but until now only as an associate. You did feel a bit like a second-class citizen.

"So when the poster went up inviting people to put themselves forward - male or female - to become members of the committee, I decided to go for it." She has already attended her first meeting and says the response from the rest of the committee was good.

But she conceded that: "Maybe one or two weren't happy about it." Valerie, who runs her own commercial and domestic cleaning business, said: "Women should have a say in how the club's run.

"My female friends were pleased and I hope some of them will join me.

"Until a year or so back, women weren't even allowed in the tap room to watch snooker."

As well as being a popular social club, the premises is also home to Whitworth Valley Football Club, a snooker team, crown green bowlers, a ladies' darts team and a meeting place for pigeon fanciers and fishermen. Valerie added: "Considering the current financial climate the club is doing very well."