What does Membership cost?

The annual subscription rates for Membership are as follows:

Standard Membership - £175 + VAT - includes a complimentary Members' bow tie and entitles the Member to buy up to 5 tickets per Event at the exclusive Members' rate. (please go to 'the clubs' for current rates) Additional tickets may be available, subject to conditions. (see below)

Corporate Membership - £350 + VAT - includes three complimentary Members' bow ties andentitles the Member to buy an exclusive table for up to 12 people.

Please note that Membership of a Club does NOT commit a Member to buy tickets for every Event. Furthermore,for Members who join during any given season, the subscription due is reduced pro rata by 25% of the annual fee after each quarterly Event has taken place.

Membership FAQ

What exactly are the benefits of Membership?

Members are entitled to buy tickets for an Event at an exclusive rate (which does vary marginally from Club to Club). Non-Members may also have access to tickets (subject to availability - see below) but only at an additional premium of £13 + VAT per ticket. Members receive complimentary and exclusive bow ties, one for Standard Members and three for Corporate Members. Additional ties can be purchased by Members, at a nominal cost of £6 + VAT each. Members automatically receive a regular mailing with details of each quarterly Event. Furthermore, at the beginning of each Membership Season (not always a calendar year) Members are advised of the dates of future Events during the ensuing 12 months, enabling them to budget and plan ahead. Members'ticket allocation rights are always protected and so tickets are reserved automatically, until we are advised by a Member that they are not required. Members are NOT bound by the terms of Membership to buy tickets for the Dinner Events. Once the Membership of a Club reaches its capacity, attendance at the Events becomes the exclusive preserve of Club Members and their invited guests (unless an Event is undersubscribed, in which case selected interested parties may be invited to apply for tickets as non-Members). Membership would remain closed until a vacancy arose. Members are at liberty to nominate local causes, charities etc that will be supported at the Dinner Events by means of a low-key fundraising raffle. This also reflects The Southern Sporting Clubs' pledge to recognise and respond to the needs of the local community. The Membership formula exists, more than anything else, to develop and sustain a real identity for each Club and one of which the Members can feel justly proud.

Who can become a Club Member?

Until the capacity is reached, Membership of a Club is open to all and can be registered in the name of an individual person or a company. In practice, the vast majority of Memberships across the network of Clubs are in business names. Also, individuals and/or companies are at liberty to combine by purchasing, say two Standard Memberships or by 'sharing' a Corporate Membership in order to secure a 'regular' table at the Events.

How many tickets can Members buy?

There are two tiers of Membership with different ticket allocation rules, as follows:

Standard Membership entitles a Member to buy up to a maximum of 5 tickets per Event at the exclusive Members' rate. (please go to 'the clubs' for current rates)

Corporate Membership entitles a Member to buy their own exclusive table for, say 7 people up to a maximum of 12.

Until the Membership of a Club reaches its capacity, or if an Event is undersubscribed, Members can apply for extra tickets - subject to availability. However, Standard Members will be charged an additional premium per ticket (see rates) so as to protect the allocation rights of Corporate Members who are always guaranteed their own exclusive table (and pay a higher Membership fee for the privilege). Thereafter, any surplus tickets will be offered to non-Members, at the premium rate.

What can I expect at a Sporting Club Dinner Event?

You can expect a high quality four course meal, followed by the very best in traditional after-dinner entertainment from well-known and carefully selected sporting celebrities and entertainers, all of whom conduct themselves within the boundaries of acceptable humour. Each Club does its best to ensure that a variety of sports is represented throughout the year.

You can also expect to see a distinguished Top Table, comprising the Club’s Honorary Chairman - a local personality or business figure, two celebrity guest speakers, David Duckham who will run each Event as Master of Ceremonies, other celebrity guests invited from time to time and occasionally one Member, selected at random and his guests.

Will I be able to entertain my Business Clients?

Yes! The format of the Dinners has been designed specifically to attract and promote corporate hospitality and business entertaining generally.

Can I take a reference from any of your existing Members?

Yes, of course! We will happily provide you with details of Members of any of the Clubs who will willingly testify to the quality and success of the Events.

If I wish to join a Club, how do I become a Member?

Easy! Simply complete a Membership Application Form (you can download one here, along with the Membership Terms) and return it, together with your cheque (don't forget the pro rata reduction referred to opposite if you join in mid-season), or we will invoice you as appropriate, to the address shown on the form (or on our contact page).