The massive Wrexham AFC history thread (The sad case of a founding members and player of Wrexham...)

[marinman]

Originally Posted by ABd

I believe the second ever game of the new Wrexham Football Club was against Braintree in December 1864. However the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, despite the Great Braintree Drought of 1863/64.

[eastsussexred]

The Royal Denbigh rifles militia were amalgamated in 1881 and re-titled The Royal Welch Fusiliers, who's regimental badge was a plume of 3 feathers; the same feathers as our own WAFC crest, another link from our formation in 1864 which still exists to this day, although I think the plume of 3 feathers on our existing crest was added when the crest was re-designed in the 1970's.

[eastsussexred]

The first trophy associated with our club was a pewter tankard presented to CE Kershaw at an athletics event organised by the Football Club on Saturday 13th May 1865.
CE Kershaw was The Clerk of Scales for the horseracing at The Racecourse, but also a played cricket For Denbighshire County Cricket Club and was a founding member of Wrexham Athletic Football Club; he had also played in our first ever game against the Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, some months earlier
While I have been unable to find any picture of the tankard, it was sold sometime ago at an auction house, with its value highlighted due to the historical status as WAFC being one of the oldest clubs in the world
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...DrDgg0pTPJdmsA

[BillEBadass]

What a really interesting thread - many thanks ESR

[eastsussexred]

Another of our founding players was Thomas Broster, born in Wrexham 09/04/1845, the son of Broughton and Hannah Broster.
He was also a member of Denbighshire County Cricket Club.
Thomas was married to Harriet OWEN of Wrexham on 5th May 1868 at St John's Church, Chester. They may have had as many as 9 children.
He lived and worked as a clerk at a post office in Wrexham but emigrated to Queens Town, South Africa in the late 1800’s, where he became a headmaster at an elementary School.
Thomas died on 29.06.1921 in Bethlehem, South Africa.
While I cannot find any photographs of Thomas, I have contacted one of his descendants in South Africa, who may be able to provide one in the future.

[jonesfach]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Another of our founding players was Thomas Broster, born in Wrexham 09/04/1845, the son of Broughton and Hannah Broster.
He was also a member of Denbighshire County Cricket Club.
Thomas was married to Harriet OWEN of Wrexham on 5th May 1868 at St John's Church, Chester. They may have had as many as 9 children.
He lived and worked as a clerk at a post office in Wrexham but emigrated to Queens Town, South Africa in the late 1800’s, where he became a headmaster at an elementary School.
Thomas died on 29.06.1921 in Bethlehem, South Africa.
While I cannot find any photographs of Thomas, I have contacted one of his descendants in South Africa, who may be able to provide one in the future.

Are you going through the whole team to try and find a descendant who might have a few quid??

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by jonesfach

Are you going through the whole team to try and find a descendant who might have a few quid??

Just thought it would give additional depth to our history, and while it is frustrating researching and going down blind alleys, it is also fascinating reading through the old archives,
By the time I've actually established they are the right person, then I sort of feel a sense of knowing them.
It would be good to find the histories of them all and perhaps have some sort of commemoration.
While there was definitely a big connection with the military in Wrexham at that time, many of the same names keep cropping up in the archives and there certainly seems a sense of the founders of the club trying to better the lives of the people of Wrexham.
Many of the people involved are volunteers for different bodies and community wellbeing seems to be instrumental in many of there actions.

[weper red]

Great work ESR ,thank you for posting

[robiethered]

It just makes you laugh. 2nd game 1863-1864 Braintree game off due to waterlogged pitch. Nothing changes, Wrexham v Braintree 2015 Friday 18th Dec. off due to waterlogged pitch!!!!!