The grave in which Bolton Wanderers' founder the Rev John Farrall Wright was lain to rest is to be restored to the glory it deserves.
Preparations are underway for a service to re-dedicate the moss-covered grave, found at Christ Church, Walmsley, by churchwarden Judith Page last year.
The grave, which had lain unnoticed for 124 years, had been tracked down by author Peter Lupson whose book, Thank God For Football, explores the Christian roots of some of the country's biggest clubs.
Mr Lupson said: "It was an amazing feeling to find it.
"Suddenly the person becomes real. They are not just a figure in a book and I found that quite moving."
Now a service is being planned to re-dedicate the site, restore the grave and add an inscription recognising Rev Wright as the founder of Bolton Wanderers.
He was the vicar of Christ Church in Deane Road, which no longer exists, and persuaded Tom Ogden, the headmaster of the nearby Christ Church School, to start a football club at the Sunday School.
Christ Church FC was formed in June 1874 but three years later became Bolton Wanderers.
The club got its name because it had no home ground of its own and played where it could.
Work will take place to straighten Rev Wright's grave, install a channel around it, clean the stone and rework the existing lettering.
An extra inscription will also be added, reading "Founder of Bolton Wanderers Football Club 1874".
A service will be held at the grave at Christ Church on June 27 at 11am to re-dedicate the site.
Those involved in the project are looking forward to the day.
Mr Lupson, who also found Mr Ogden's grave in an unmarked plot in Heaton Cemetery, said: "I feel immensely proud that my humble research has given him the recognition he deserves.
"I also have a great sense of relief that he will not be forgotten.
"The service will give him back to the town, which is important."
Simon Marland, club secretary for Bolton Wanderers added: "It was great news when the grave was found and now to be able to recognise our founder is fantastic.
"Before he was just a name and we didn't know much about him but now we have some new history."
The grave in which Bolton Wanderers' founder the Rev John Farrall Wright was lain to rest is to be restored to the glory it deserves.
Preparations are underway for a service to re-dedicate the moss-covered grave, found at Christ Church, Walmsley, by churchwarden Judith Page last year.
The grave, which had lain unnoticed for 124 years, had been tracked down by author Peter Lupson whose book, Thank God For Football, explores the Christian roots of some of the country's biggest clubs.
Mr Lupson said: "It was an amazing feeling to find it.
"Suddenly the person becomes real. They are not just a figure in a book and I found that quite moving."
Now a service is being planned to re-dedicate the site, restore the grave and add an inscription recognising Rev Wright as the founder of Bolton Wanderers.
He was the vicar of Christ Church in Deane Road, which no longer exists, and persuaded Tom Ogden, the headmaster of the nearby Christ Church School, to start a football club at the Sunday School.
Christ Church FC was formed in June 1874 but three years later became Bolton Wanderers.
The club got its name because it had no home ground of its own and played where it could.
Work will take place to straighten Rev Wright's grave, install a channel around it, clean the stone and rework the existing lettering.
An extra inscription will also be added, reading "Founder of Bolton Wanderers Football Club 1874".
A service will be held at the grave at Christ Church on June 27 at 11am to re-dedicate the site.
Those involved in the project are looking forward to the day.
Mr Lupson, who also found Mr Ogden's grave in an unmarked plot in Heaton Cemetery, said: "I feel immensely proud that my humble research has given him the recognition he deserves.
"I also have a great sense of relief that he will not be forgotten.
"The service will give him back to the town, which is important."
Simon Marland, club secretary for Bolton Wanderers added: "It was great news when the grave was found and now to be able to recognise our founder is fantastic.
"Before he was just a name and we didn't know much about him but now we have some new history."