Nicholas Wanderers FC Reserve Team curently play in the Senior Division of the Bristol + District League.
AT THE START
In 1947 a barn in Dundridge farm was loaned out by a farmer Chapman. It was used as a meeting place for local boys and it was commonly known as the Barn Boys Club. It was situated at the entrance to Dundridge Farm, now playing fields, and a football team emerged from this club with most of their games taking place on the pitch at the junction of Nicholas Lane and Dundridge lane.
NICHOLAS WANDERERS AFC
Nicholas came from Nicholas Lane which leads into Dundridge playing fields and Wanderers because Wolverhampton Wanderers were fast becoming the top side of the era, winning the FA cup in season 1948/49 in our founding season.
THE FOUNDING OF THE CLUB - JUNIOR FOOTBALL 1948/49
Nicholas Wanderers were accepted into the Kingswood and Hanham Junior League under-14s section. A Mr. Kelly, who lived in Hanham Road, was the league secretary, and meetings took place in his front room.
Wands first match was played on the home ground at Lees Hill, Kingswood with players wearing a variety of personal white shirts. We were beaten 4 goals to 3 by Bedminster Aces with Mike Drake scoring the first ever goal for the Wanderers.
In that founding season Norman Sykes joined the Wanderers and proved himself to be an outstanding player. No one could have realised that within 3 years Norman was to play for England schoolboys at Wembley on the 5th of April 1952 alongside the legendary Duncan Edwards.
In the summer of 1948 a petition containing 100 signatures was submitted to Bristol City Council requesting the use of the Paddock Cornfield at Dundridge Farm. After it was harvested, it became our home ground. 1949 was the first season to see the blue shirts. |