A DOCUMENT has been discovered that could cast a doubt over Barnsley FC’s 125-year history. It is widely thought that Rev Tiverton Preedy founded the club as Barnsley St Peter’s in 1887, which meant the club celebrated its 125th anniversary this year. But historian Grenville Firth has found an article that suggests the club may have been formed a year earlier under the name of Dove Wanderers after the Dove Inn on Doncaster Road. The article is under the headline ‘Barnsley Football Club’ and is thought to have been cut out of a 1922 almanac of Yorkshire football. The first two sentences read: “When the club was formed in 1886 it was called the Dove Wanderers, and played at Pindar Oaks. In 1887 the Rev T T Preedy, curate of St Peter’s Church, formed ‘Barnsley St Peter’s', incorporating the Dove Wanderers, and they commenced playing at Oakwell.” Grenville thinks the article could mean that Barnsley is actually 126 years old and not celebrating the 125th anniversary but says the important issue is what is meant by the word ‘incorporated’ “If the Wanderers disbanded then some of their players joined St Peter’s then we don’t need to worry,’ he said. “But if St Peter’s took over the Dove Wanderers and changed the name then I think the Wanderers are the original Barnsley Football Club, founded in 1886. “That is the way I see it and the club’s historian David Wood agrees with me but other people I have spoken to disagree. I am not trying to spoil the club’s celebrations. I just want the truth to come out as I am sure will anybody who has an interest in the club and its history.”
Don't you worry l've just seen The Don in the club shop with a marker pen turning all the number 5's into 6's. Be reyt.
Would have been good if Mr Firth had found it 12 months ago before all the prep. As it is, let's not change the 1887 tag or we'll look like fools. It can be our little secret.
I really not sure and I think but there maybe something in this. I've done quite a bit of research since this came to light but I have still have not found anything concrete to take the argument either way. The article that Grenville Firth has rediscovered came from a collection of his Fathers papers and was published in 1922 by an unknown source but the best history of the club was written in 1911 by a Barnsley Independant journalist called "Argus" and he mentions nothing of the Dove Wanderers story. He recalls the start of Barnsley St Peters FC to be in September 1887 and everyone agrees on this fact. Likewise though, throughout his work he never refers to Preedy as being the founder of the club and I am struggling to find any other works which do. Grenville Firth has just about proved the story of Preedy playing for Barnsley Rugby club and taking umbridge at a Good Friday fixture to be incorrect. It's possible he did not come to Barnsley until July 1887. I have a copy of a newspaper article from 1926 that when discussing Preedy's role at Oakwell describes him overhearing a group of youths on a pub corner discussing plans for their football team and he deciding to join them. Question is, was this an established team or a proposed team. It seems strange that the clubs first HQ was the "Dove Inn" and not the Church. I'll upload the articles for you to read later
Re: I really not sure and I think but there maybe something in this. Jesus Christ, someone tell The Don to put that Preedy statue on hold....
That must be why the club didn't bother with the promised offers for season tickets then, they knew it wasnt the 125th anniversary. Dont tell me, it wasn't the 100th anniversary of the cup win either? That explains why the club completely ignored it
