On the 10th October 1986 to celebrate its 110th anniversary, Tyldesley Swimming Club held a dinner dance in the Sedgley Suite, at the Village Squash Club, Prestwich. 130 people attended. Guests of Honour being the President of Northern Counties Mr. George Harris and his wife.

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Former club captain Dennis Topping was installed as President of Tyldesley Swimming Club in 1987.

The ASA’s implementation of a fee to register swimmers and water polo players, which meant additional financial strain on the club prompted them to express their disapproval.

At the Northern Counties Festival of Swimming in Blackpool, Melanie Fairhurst won gold.

Another first for the club occurred in 1987 when Tyldesley Swimming Club’s team joined Division Four of the National Water Polo League. Matches had to be played at Varley Street, Manchester as it was a deep water pool.

Matthew Holden was selected for the England under eighteens water polo squad and nine members were selected to represent Manchester and District under sixteens water polo in an Inter-District Tournament. Four water polo members represented Lancashire County under eighteens.

A report by the Director of Leisure to the Recreation and Amenities Committee of Wigan MBC on the 29^th February 1988 recommended that the responsibility to teach non-swimmers be that of the Leisure Department. This recommendation caused, great concern to all swimming clubs in the authority and their future existence was considered to be in doubt if the intake of non-swimmers was withdrawn.

Following various meetings and discussions to stress the implications of such a recommendation, Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club arranged a public meeting at Tyldesley Labour Club on 30^th November 1988. Letters of support were received from members of Parliament, ASA, local Swimming Associations and from many other sources, in particular Hamilton "Hammy" Bland.

The public meeting was attended by over 250 people which included local residents, councillors and officials, past and present members, representatives from Swimming Associations, and swimming bath employees displaying placards, as they thought their employment was in jeopardy.

Many people had to be turned away as the hall was full to capacity.

A heated meeting was chaired by the clubs President Mr Dennis Topping and the case for the club to continue to teach non-swimmers was highlighted by Mr Gwyn Pierce.

The majority fully supported the club’s stance.

The recommendation put to the council was not accepted, and the continuance of teaching non-swimmers by the club for over 100 years was maintained.

Financial support was given by Atherton ASC and Wigan ASC again showing the friendship between local clubs. This support was badly needed, as the club was experiencing financial difficulties due to the extended closure of the baths. Fund raising events were organised to raise extra monies.

After one season in Divison Four of the National Water Polo League the Senior Team was promoted to Division Three. Colin Bent was the highest scorer in Division Four.

Matthew Holden was selected for the Great Britain Water Polo Squad to play at Veenendaal, Holland, and Nicola Toone a member of the club but playing for Stretford was selected for the England Ladies Water Polo Squad Under Twenties to play in Holland.

Andrew Topping and Lee Toone were selected for Lancashire County Under Eighteens Squad.

In 1989, again after only one season in Division Three of the National Water Polo League, Tyldesley Swimming Club’s Senior Water Polo Team were promoted to Division Two, after a play off. Stephen Davidson was the top scorer in Division Three.

Nicola Toone was again selected to play for Great Britain Ladies Water Polo Team, this time the Seniors in the Seven-nations Tournament in Holland. Matthew Holden was again chosen for Great Britain in a Ten-nation Water Polo Tournament at Ronneby, Sweden. He also represented England in the European Championship at Papandal, Holland.

On the swimming scene Melanie Fairhurst won gold in the Northern Counties Age Groups and also competed in the National Age Groups.

In 1990 Tyldesley Swimming Clubs young swimmers won the top club trophy at the North Wales Shrimp Gala against twenty six other clubs.  Leanne Stafford and Samantha Berry were selected to swim for the Central Lancashire Team in France.

In the National Age Groups Melanie Fairhurst reached the final and in 1990 Melanie also represented Lancashire County in the Inter-district Competition.

The club’s under twenties team won the Central Lancashire Water Polo League and players selected for Lancashire County included: Lee Toone and Andrew Topping, Under Twenties; Troy Stevens, Matthew Percival and Steven Pritchard Under Eighteens.

1991 marked the water polo centenary at Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club, players who represented the club during that year included Stephen Davidson, Christopher Mills and Colin Bent who were in the Lancashire County Senior Squad.  Stephen Pritchard also captained the Lancashire County Under Eighteens Squad.

Mike Harrison, who had worked hard for the club as a committee member, swimming teacher, coach and swim team manager was elected President of the Central Lancashire S&WPA.

Swimmers Jennifer Fairhurst and Leanne Stafford reached the National Age Group Finals.  Leanne’s brother Jonathan also competed in the Nationals.  The girls won gold medals in the Northern Counties Long Course Championships, the Central Lancashire Age Groups, and Jennifer also won gold in the Lancashire Age Groups and the Northern Counties Age Groups.

Jennifer, Leanne and Jonathan represented Lancashire County and eleven swimmers from the club were selected for central Lancashire Swimming & WPA in a competition in France against teams from France and Belgium.

If 1991 was a good year, 1992 was even better for the club’s top swimmers.

Jennifer Fairhurst won the gold medal in the National Age Group 400 metres freestyle and Phillip Stout and, Leanne and Jonathan Stafford also competed.  Melanie Fairhurst was appointed Assistant Manager for the Central Lancashire Team in the “Triad” competition and Leanne Stafford was selected to represent District Seven in the English Schools Championships.

In the Lancashire Age Groups Phillip Stout won the “Best Boy Swimmer Award” with four golds.

The club won the Central Lancashire Jubilee Shield and Jennifer Fairhurst, Phillip Stout, Leanne and Jonathan Stafford were selected to represent Lancashire County.

Stephen Pritchard again represented the County at water polo, this time the Under Twenties and also played for the Northern Counties Under Twenties.