After an excellent meal, the Deputy Lord Mayor proposed a toast to George Singer, recalling his generosity in inviting 700 of Coventry’s children to a fancy dress ball in the city’s Corn Exchange, and his quests to introduce electric street lighting and to improve the city’s sewer system.
George was also instrumental in building the new municipal swimming baths, for which he laid the foundation stone in October 1892.
Guest speaker Lionel Bird then gave us a memorable talk about George Singer, based on his research for a book on the history of the Coventry City Football Club.
Throughout his research there had emerged a common thread, which always seemed to lead back to the fact that George Singer was a philanthropist in the true sense of the word, and that he cared deeply about the well-being of people and particularly his workforce.
He was ahead of his time in the field of working relations with his employees, who worked long hours over a 5½ day week. George created a close bond with his workers, encouraging recreational activities by allowing time off, and supporting the creation of sporting and social clubs, including Cycling and Motor-Cycling Clubs, Cricket Club, Athletics Association, Rugby Union Team and, in 1883, the Singers Football Team.
Highlight of the year for many of his employees was the annual Company Picnic, paid for by George. In 1889 the picnic was held at the house and grounds of Lord Leigh’s Stoneleigh Deer Park. 450 cyclists went to Stoneleigh via Kenilworth, the procession being led by Singer’s Apollo Band on their multiple-seater ‘Victoria’ bicycle. The picnic included 224lbs of strawberries and 1200 cartons of fizzy water. For the night-time return journey the cyclists lit their way home with Chinese lanterns.
The Motor-cycling Club was formed in 1910, and in 1913 George Stanley, nick-name ‘Wizard’, won 34 races, including 16 World Records! It was Willie Stanley, his uncle, who
formed the Singers Football Club and was their first player/manager. All the players were Singer employees, and George Singer would close the factory early so that the staff could attend important home games.
In 1888 James Morgan was appointed manager and he transformed the club. In 1890/91 the team won the Birmingham Junior Cup at the Perry Barr ground. 1000 Singer supporters travelled by train and a further 1500 cycled to the match.
In 1898 the club changed its name to Coventry City Football Club.