IT WAS once a hive of social activity for steelworkers and one of the last South Wales clubs to allow women members, but now its rooms are silent as the last loyal customers have trickled out.

The historic Courtybella Sports and Social Club, on Cardiff Road, became another victim of the recession after failing to overcome financial trouble.

Chairman Michael Bellamore said the club's committee was left with no option but to close as the venue was losing £250 per week, after beer prices rocketed and just a handful of customers were using it on some nights.

But it was once thriving- after managing director of Whitehead's iron and steel company Gus Latham opened the Courtybella works in Newport and purchased the club then known as Overton House in 1927 for his staff.

It was a place to play table tennis and cards to socialise before the building was licensed in 1948, when snooker and function rooms were added to the building along with a skittle alley.

Mr Bellamore said: "It was that popular if you didn't get here by 12.30pm on a Sunday you wouldn't get a seat."

Pensioner Mr Bellamore, a member for 45 years, said the bar was used by the Whitehead's rugby club after the works purchased playing fields at Bassaleg because that location did not sell beer.

Throughout its entire history the club has had strong links with successful sportsmen.

In 1963, professional snooker player Rex Williams visited and a few years later Bobby Windsor and Charles Faulkner, who played for the Whiteheads, became part of the legendary Pontypool and Wales' front row.

The club also had two snooker and two skittles teams and a group of horse racing enthusiasts who organised trips to meetings around the UK.

At its peak, the club had around 300 members and it was run by a steward who lived on site, until staff and Mr Bellamore took over last year.

The club was eventually sold to its members for £50,000 when British Steel was selling off is private properties in 1993.

Numbers of people attending remained reasonably high until around that time, Mr Bellamore said, before social clubs gradually became less popular.

"We were taking £25 a night and we were realising then we were in trouble," said Mr Bellamore.

Over the past 12 months the chairman tried to breathe new life into the club by encouraging younger people in, but it was not enough.

Newport Saracens RFC and Newport Deaf Club were two groups who have had to find new homes.

The club is on the market for £250,000.