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Wanderers Ways. Neil Thompson 1961-2021

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Posted

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". =D>

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."

Posted
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". =D>

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."

 

 

 

Good Lad!

Posted

Maybe a few of us off here could get together on that day and show the Rev the respect he deserves!I for one would be up for paying my respects and then a couple of scoops later!! :good:

Posted
Maybe a few of us off here could get together on that day and show the Rev the respect he deserves!I for one would be up for paying my respects and then a couple of scoops later!! :good:

 

 

Any excuse for a p!ss up some folk....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iamin

 

:drinks:

Guest kempo
Posted
Any excuse for a p!ss up some folk....

Iamin

 

:drinks:

 

 

 

 

 

Terrible ain't it..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where and when? :drinks:

Posted

It's good to see the club remembering that we were founded in 1874: when we had a decent badge with no ribbons on and that football did exist pre-Sky Sports.

 

More should be made of the fact we've been going since 1874 IMO.

Posted
It's good to see the club remembering that we were founded in 1874: when we had a decent badge with no ribbons on and that football did exist pre-Sky Sports.

 

More should be made of the fact we've been going since 1874 IMO.

 

Beat me to it, Traf.

Why on earth the club has claimed a foundation of 1877 in recent years is beyond me.

Posted

1877 is when BWFC came into existence.

But to deny a start of 1874 as Christ Church is like Man U saying Newton Heath never existed.

Posted
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". =D>

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."

Beltin' story that :good: :good:

Posted

ain't it great that one little investigater can move mountains......

now while the club is in a giving mood, how about they send a rep over to Vasto Italy and shed the same kinda love to the Greatest Wanderer of them all.....Lieutenant Harry Goslin......killed in action December 1943

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