Pools staff were winners too...
LITTLEWOODS WORKERS ENJOYED PERKS FROM THEIR BOSSES
STORM clouds may have been gathering over Europe in the 1930s, but the prospect of conflict wasn’t going to deter the Football Pools (Littlewoods) staff from their annual seaside outing.
In late August, 1939, less than two weeks before Britain declared war on Germany, 12,000 employees and their families headed to Blackpool on more than 400 coaches over two days – enjoying what was billed as the seaside resort’s ‘biggest picnic,’ in the process.
It’s memories like this which have built The Football Pools into British culture. Today, there is a new game and way to play. The Pools site contains new games including Footie5, a free-toplay score predictor game with a cash prize of £25,000 available every week – see panel below for details.
The company’s ethos was to look after its family of workers – many of whom remained on the payroll throughout their adult lives.
John Moores, known to staff as ‘Mister John,’ once said: “Cecil (his younger brother) and I have nothing but admiration and praise for our loyal and wonderful staff.
“They have always been willing to work that bit extra, which means so much to us.” In return, the Moores worked ‘that bit extra’ for their workers.
Facilities for employees included a staff canteen – where it was made sure everyone was able to have a hot meal – a drama group, and the company’s 13-acre indoor and outdoor sports complex.
Staff who were nominated for a week’s holiday could enjoy a host of facilities at the company’s own Scottish lodge, Glentrool, which came complete with a housekeeper and a gamekeeper who ran them to the local pub.
Meanwhile, in the workplace, music was played over loudspeakers during the working day – apart from on Mondays when the coupons were checked, with break periods kept strictly to the time it took to play three records.
But, at other times of the week, it was hundreds of “joeys” – a metal stamp which made an imprint on each coupon – punched in unison which would fill the air with sound and make the floors vibrate.
Wednesday was payday, and all the local market traders would set up stalls outside the Football Pools’ Liverpool headquarters to sell meat, fruit, vegetables and other goods to the staff.
One of the highlights of the annual calendar was the Miss Littlewood competition, which was open to women from every section of the company and each of its national locations.
In 1971, the audience was entertained by The Bachelors and impressionist Mike Yarwood. Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and Shirley Bassey were among other famous faces who made appearances on finals nights.
Contestants nominated by their colleagues would be invited to parade around a stage in the staff canteen on one lunchtime – although not, it has to be said, in swimming costumes.
Don’t forget you can play Footie5, the new game from The Pools, for free where you can win £25,000 – play at footie5.thepools.com