Whitwick Wanderers Football Club originally emerged from being a "pub team" who then played under the clubs original name 'Oak of Whitwick' back in 1997. At the time the club didn't play in an official league but would arrange games against other local "pub teams" during the working week prior to the weekend of the game.
Oak of Whitwick FC formally applied for and was accepted into the Leicester City League in 2000, after originally being rejected membership into the more well established North Leicestershire Football League. Instead the Oak of Whitwick played and won back to back promotion in two seasons, a feat which paved their entry into the North Leicestershire Football League in 2002.
A new committee was set-up prior to their first season in the North Leicestershire League and it decided to lose its "pub name" and became as they are known today - Whitwick Wanderers FC. During this transitional period over the next few years the club gained promotion through the leagues from Division Four to Division Two by the start of the 2005-2006 Season.
The introduction of a new committee and the arrival of new team manager Martin "Bobby" Adams prior to the 2007/08 Season was to prove a momentous season for the Wanderers. The club embarked on a triumphant season winning the Division Two titile and reaching the Semi-Final stage of the Leicestershire & Rutland County Cup. With this the club won promotion to Division One and decided to expand and introduce a second/reserve team for the start of 2008/09 Season.
The following season was very much a season of firsts for Whitwick Wanderers FC. The newly formed Reserves Team, under the guidance of player-manager Martin "Baggy" Straw won the Division Four title in its first ever Season. This feat was matched by the 1st Team who won promotion to the NLFL Premier Division for the first time in the club's history. The team also reached its first ever Cup final, losing out narrowly 1-0 to Falcons FC in Chairmans Shield staged at Thringstone's Holmstead Road ground on the 9th April, 2009. During the 2008/09 Season the team were also invited for the first time to take part in the prestigious Coalville Charity Cup competition, which started way back in 1890, and were knocked by eventual finalists Heather St.Johns FC of the Midland Combination Football League in the Quarter-Finals.
The Wanderers celebrate our 10th Anniversary this year, so what was your favourite moment of the past 10 years?
A late goal from Jamie Holms completes an amazing come-back as the Wanderers win 7-6 away at Beaumont United FC during the 2001/2002 Season, after being 6-1 down at half-time
The Wanderers win 5-0 at the HLC to local rivals ATI Garrysons FC to secure their first ever trophy and the 2007/2008 Division Two title whilst conceding just 2 goals at home in the League all Season.
Wanderers Reserves romp to a spectular 8-0 win at home to promotion challengers Caterpillar Reserves FC on the 21st February 2009 including a hat-trick apiece for Hathaway & Straw.
Two Daniel Edwards goals and a Scott Dunn strike help the Wanderers to a 3-0 home win against East Leake Athletic FC on the last day of the Season to ultimately secure promotion to the Premier Division for the first time in the Club's history.
Player-Manager Martin Straw scores all five as the Wanderers beat Ferrari FC 5-2 on a barmy Thursday night to secure the 2008/2009 Divison Four title in the Reserves first-ever Season.
Win some Premier League Classic Matches on DVD
The thrills and spills of the Premier League are back and, to celebrate, we are giving away three volumes of Premier League Classic Matches on DVD!
Become a Wembley legend with the FA Umbro Fives
The FA Umbro Fives is back, offering 5-a-side teams the chance to play at Wembley and become the official champions of England. Enter your team now for just £25!
