Gloops raised money for charity and was the head of a children’s club. The Gloops Club was launched in 1929, when the Sheffield Star created a children’s section, and lasted right up until the 1980s.
By 1939, the Gloops Club had 365,000 children as members. Every Junior Glooper was given a number and a badge and in return they had to perform at least one act of kindness every day.
The Gloopers sang “Smile, Smile, that’s the Gloopers’ motto”. The ‘smile’ was pronounced ‘thmile’ for many years until Sheffield Council requested that be stopped because too many youngsters were copying the incorrect pronunciation!
This retro photo gallery captures happy days in the Gloops Club. Do you have any memories of Gloops?
The Gloopers sang “Smile, Smile, that’s the Gloopers’ motto”. The ‘smile’ was pronounced ‘thmile’ for many years until Sheffield Council requested that be stopped because too many youngsters were copying the incorrect pronunciation!
![Gloops presents a BMX cycle to Matthew Ball, winner of the Star BMX competition at the Sheffield Speedway, June 14, 1984](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM2YWRlZTgxLWY2MWQtNGRjZC05YzIwLWQ3ZTFlZGVmNzQ2Yjo0Yzg5MzY1NC0xYzhkLTQxNDItODk4ZS0wYmMxOTYwYzY3NmQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Winner
Gloops presents a BMX cycle to Matthew Ball, winner of the Star BMX competition at the Sheffield Speedway, June 14, 1984 Photo: Dennis Lound
![The Telegraph and Star Junior Angling Section held their award night at Walkley Working Men's Club. Our picture shows the three age group winners, left to right: Richard Higgins (14), Julie Rose (12), Auntie Janet of Junior Star, Kay Baker (9) and Gloops who presented the trophies, September 11, 1980](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIwMzg1MjUwLTNmYTctNDJlZS1iYmFhLTljYjdiNjkwNmMxYjpkYWQxY2RlNS04MGRiLTQwMDMtYjJhZi1lMzI5MWU5MGM5ODE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Awards
The Telegraph and Star Junior Angling Section held their award night at Walkley Working Men's Club. Our picture shows the three age group winners, left to right: Richard Higgins (14), Julie Rose (12), Auntie Janet of Junior Star, Kay Baker (9) and Gloops who presented the trophies, September 11, 1980 Photo: Stuart Hastings
![Gloops with Telegraph & Star competition winners in May 1984](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVjOWEwZDNkLThhOGYtNDBiOC1hMTcyLTI4NTk4YWE1OTZlZjoxOGUxM2JmNS1hN2EyLTRlZjctYmFkZi1jNjhlZDlhMzQwZmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Competition
Gloops with Telegraph & Star competition winners in May 1984 Photo: Dennis Lound staff
![Gloops gets in on the picture at the Sheffield illuminations switch-on as the Lord Mayor hands over the keys for a Variety Club Sunshine Coach, with Emile Ford, November 30, 1972](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIyODIwOTU4LTAxNzMtNDVmYy1hMjJkLTA2M2ExY2U0ZTI0OTplOTFmNjVmNy03YzRhLTQzNTEtYTFiMy1jNTExMjY2Nzc1OGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Illuminations
Gloops gets in on the picture at the Sheffield illuminations switch-on as the Lord Mayor hands over the keys for a Variety Club Sunshine Coach, with Emile Ford, November 30, 1972 Photo: Sheffield Newspapers