Wanderers Football Club also known as Wanderers is a former soccer club based in
Parramatta
Parramatta () is a suburb and major Central business district, commercial centre in Greater Western Sydney, located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately west of the Sydney central business district on the ban ...
, Australia. Founded in 1880, the club is considered to be the first
soccer club in Australia.
History
The club was founded on 3 August 1880, by English-emigrate
John Walter Fletcher
John Walter Fletcher (11 May 1847 – 28 February 1918) is widely regarded as the "father of Australian soccer". He was also prominent in New South Wales (NSW) as a teacher and a magistrate.
Biography
Early life
Fletcher was born in London, t ...
, after he called a meeting at Aarons Hotel, Sydney, to promote the English game of soccer to the new colony.
Wanderers played their first match on 14 August 1880, against the
Kings School rugby
Rugby may refer to:
Sport
* Rugby football in many forms:
** Rugby league: 13 players per side
*** Masters Rugby League
*** Mod league
*** Rugby league nines
*** Rugby league sevens
*** Touch (sport)
*** Wheelchair rugby league
** Rugby union: 1 ...
team.
Wanderers won 5–0 in front of a crowd of 1,000 at Parramatta Common. The match is considered to be the first played under the
Laws of the Game in Australia.
Colours and crest
Wanderers wore a white jersey, cap,
knickerbockers and blue stockings, with a
Southern Cross
Crux () is a constellation of the southern sky that is centred on four bright stars in a cross-shaped asterism commonly known as the Southern Cross. It lies on the southern end of the Milky Way's visible band. The name ''Crux'' is Latin for c ...
badge over the left breast.
Grounds
The club played games at both Parramatta Common and
Moore Park.
References
{{Reflist
Soccer clubs in Sydney
Sport in Parramatta
Association football clubs established in 1880
1880 establishments in Australia