Dundee Wanderers
Formed 1885
Elected to Scottish Division Two 1894. Failed re-election 1895
Kit History
1885-1891 (abc)
1891-1892 (abc)
1892-1894 (c)
1894-1898 (c)
1898-1900 (c)
1900-1911 (c)
1911-1913 (c)
Background
Dundee Wanderers were formed in 1885 wearing a very unusual maroon and navy combination. In 1891 they merged with Strathmore FC (another senior Dundee club) taking the name of Johnstone Wanderers and joined the Northern League . In 1894 they made a successful application to join the Second Division of the Scottish League and reverted to their former title.
Unfortunately the standard was too high and "The Forkies" finished ninth (out of ten) with only nine points, losing their place after only one season. Had they not been awarded two points when Renton refused to complete their fixture, they would have finished joint last with Cowlairs. In the end it was all academic as both clubs failed to be re-elected, their places being taken by Kilmarnock and Linthouse.
The club re-joined the Northern League and won the competition in 1900.
Wanderers colours were often described as red rather than maroon in press reports of the period but it seems likely from Scottish FA records that they in fact wore maroon until 1911 when they registered "light blue and gold" with the Scottish FA. The local "Saturday Post" of 12 August 1911, however, reported that the club's new colours were "black and gold" and coined the inevitable nickname of The Wasps. Alick Milne has suggested from his research that the club in fact wore navy blue and gold in their final two seasons.
In 1910 the club left the Northern League possibly due to a financial crisis. They rejoined the following year wearing new colours but midway through the 1912-13 season, the club folded.
There is no connection with either Dundee or Dundee United.
Sources
- (a) The Scottish Football League Past Members (Norman Nicholl 1992)
- (b) Brian McColl
- (c) Alick Milne