Just prior to our 125 Celebrations I found this article from 1922. I'm not sure who wrote it and suspected it came from a local Almanac but it posed a question that could not be ignored. After extensive searching of the archives Gren and myself found evidence of Dove Wanderers playing very occasional friendly games throughout 1895 with the last fixture found to be on December 26th 1885. When Preedy arrived in Barnsley, Dove Wanderers were a club in name only and not playing games. it was after overhearing some members making plans for their club that he said he would organise it for them and invited them over the road to St Peters. As the club progressed through the Leagues, Dove Wanderers re-emerged in the 1890s to play in the local competitions. Below is Ben Mosleys artwork depicting Tiverton Preedy meeting the locals of the Dove and suggesting forming a club at St Peters.
I always thought they always wore black and white stripes... not blue and white(??) .. never knew they were called "the saints" either.. live and learn
I always were told they wore black and white that's why we wore white and black away kit ...until late 80s at least..
Definitely 130th as there is no continuation from Dove Wanderers to St Peters. If there was it would be our 132nd Year. Basically the "Players" from Dove Wanderers (who had not played a fixture in nearly 18 months) decided to try their luck across the road with Preedy's Saints.
Turvey - can you shed some light on this near the bottom of this thread regarding the land the ground sits on? http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/oakwell.259261/page-3
As more newpapers become available online at the British Newspaper Archive you are able to read numerous match reports from the time. I only recently found out that the fans referred to the club as "Peter's" and not the Saints. "Play Up Peter's" was a regular shout. I also found that the club was suspended from playing games at Oakwell for six weeks for making illegal payments to players. When they were called to a meeting with the FA in Sheffield to answer the allegations they didnt bother to turn up which didnt go down at all well as you can imagine.
I'm the same as you on this one in that I didnt know anything about the covenant on the land until I read it in John Dennis's book. I think it says that they came to an agreement with the descendants of the Senior family prior to its partial sale.
