 | |
| Location | Wolverhampton, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°34′06″N2°07′31″W / 52.5684°N 2.1254°W |
| Record attendance | 10,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Opened | 1881 |
| Closed | 1889 |
| Tenants | |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | |
Dudley Road was a football ground in Wolverhampton in England. It was the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers between 1881 and 1889, and was used during the first season of the Football League. [1]
The ground began to be used in 1881 but had sparse facilities, consisting of only a lean-to shelter on the southern touchline and a small standing area with duckboards. [1] It was located to the south of Wolverhampton town centre and to the east of Dudley Road. [1]
Wolves were founder members of the Football League in 1888, and the first League match played at Dudley Road on 8 September 1888 was a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa watched by 2,500 spectators. The first League goal at the ground was an own goal by Villa's Gershom Cox, and was thought for many years to have been the first-ever goal scored in the Football League, although modern research revealed it was actually scored earlier that day at Pike's Lane by Kenny Davenport of Bolton Wanderers. [2] The ground's record attendance of 10,000 was set on 2 March 1889 for an FA Cup match against The Wednesday. This was also the last match played at Dudley Road, as Wolves moved to Molineux Stadium for the start of the 1889–90 season. [1]
The site was later used for housing, with the main road through the estate named "Wanderers Avenue". [1]
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, commonly referred to as Wolves, is a professional football club based in Wolverhampton, England, which competes in the Premier League. The club has played at Molineux Stadium since moving from Dudley Road in 1889. The club's traditional kit consists of old gold shirts and socks with black shorts. Since 1979, the kit has also featured the club's "wolf's head" logo. Long-standing rivalries exist with other clubs from the West Midlands, including Aston Villa F.C. but the main one being the Black Country derby contested with West Bromwich Albion. Since 2016, the club has been owned by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International.
Harry Wood was an English professional footballer who played most of his career as an inside forward for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton.
Archibald Lee Goodall was an Irish footballer who made 429 appearances in the Football League for Preston North End, Aston Villa, Derby County, Glossop and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He won 10 caps at full international level for Ireland. Goodall could play in the centre half and forward positions.
Harry Allen was an English international footballer, who played most of his career for Wolverhampton Wanderers, and was their captain.
Albert Allen was a football player in the early years of professional football in England, who played as an inside-forward with Aston Villa. He made one appearance for England on 7 April 1888 when he scored three goals in a 5–1 victory over Ireland, thus making him one of the five England players who scored a hat trick on his only international appearance.
Samuel Thomson was a Scottish footballer. A Scotland international, he was a member of the Preston North End side which became known as "The Invincibles".
John Baynton was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Note: There is evidence that Jack Baynton was born in 1860, not 1859. According to the FreeBMD website there was no J Baynton born in 1859 in Rushock but there was in the 2nd quarter of 1860. Also, all sources agree Baynton died 17 May 1939. FreeBMD show a John Baynton died aged 79 which leads to a birth in 1860.
Thomas Walter Green was an English footballer, known for scoring Aston Villa's first goal in the Football League.
Thomas Hunter (1863–1918) was an English footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in season 1888–89.
Arthur Lowder was an English international footballer of the 1880s and 1890s who played as a left half with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Albert Thomas Fletcher was an English international footballer, who played as a right half.
The 1888–89 season was the first season of competitive league football in the history of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played in the inaugural season of the newly formed Football League. The club finished in third place in the league, and as runners-up in the FA Cup.
John Lees was an English footballer who played for Derby County.
Joe Cooper, also known as Joseph Cooper, also known as Jeremiah Cooper was an English footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Woolwich Arsenal. Joseph Cooper was a strong running inside–forward always running for the ball.
Thomas Knight was an English footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Walter White was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
David Wykes was an English footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League, making his debut in its inaugural season in 1888-1889.
Wellington Road was a football ground in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham, England. It was the home ground of Aston Villa from 1876 until 1897.
H McGuiness, was an English footballer who played in The Football League for Bolton Wanderers. H McGuiness played his one League match in the 3rd month of the inaugural Football League season of 1888–1889, November 1888. His debut and only top-flight game was on 10 November 1888, at Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The match was played on the same day that then Leader of the Opposition, The Rt Hon William Gladstone, PC MP was speaking in Wolverhampton. In those days that would've been a major competition for those planning to go to a match. Bolton got off to a great start against one of the top teams of that era. They gained an early lead. However Wolves were too strong and were 2-1 up at half-time. The 2nd half was close and McGuiness, having missed earlier opportunities, put his side level. But Wolverhampton got the winner towards the end of the game. Bolton finished the season in 5th place. McGuiness' goal assisted Bolton to score 63 goals in 22 games, the 3rd highest of the season.