The club was formed on the 4th July 1897, by members who used to meet in a cottage opposite the current premises of the corner of Glassbrook Road and Windmill Road. Barrels of beer were originally brought from the local outdoor beer house until the club was officially created. In 1898 premises were built on the opposite corner of the cottage and were occupied until the current premises were built in 1927. The new building took over a year to complete and the work was carried out by local builders (W.Packwood & Sons). The architect was Mr. F.E. Preston who was well known as a leader un the county boy scout movement. The cost of the building was only 11,000 pounds and bricks came from the Rushden Brickyard situated on what is now Sanders Lodge. The club had a football team in the F.A. Cup in 1914 and lost 3 - 0 to Raunds Town who then went on to play Kettering Town. During the Second World War American servicemen took over upstairs ballroom for their social club. Ann Siegler and Webster Booth were amongst those who entertained the troops, When D-day came the Americans dumped their excess kit in bins at the back of the club and most was taken away by the locals. On Thursday 28th February, 1946 a welcome home party was held for the returned prisoners of war and they was a meal was layed on for the members. This was covered by local press and was reported in the local newspaper. Over its chequered history of the club has played host to many famous names from the world of Entertainment and Sport. Some of there are: Lenny Henry, Jimmy Cricket, Syd Lawrence, Freddy and the Dreamers, Bobby George and many many more. The Windmill Club marked 100 years of being a working mans club in 1997 when they had a Centenary. You can find copies of this programme in the club.

Rushden Windmill Club