Slazenger used to be a major employer in Horbury, having taken over the company of William Sykes, originally a leather goods firm established in Horbury in 1874. Very early on Sykes was noted for the production of leather footballs which later featured a new zig zag design. The Slazenger Sports Centre was converted from the old isolation hospital building and as can be seen from the tapestry this caters for a multitude olf sporting activities.