Nithsdale Wanderers
Formed 1896
Founder member of Scottish Division Three 1923. Failed re-election 1927.
Kit History
1902-1903 (a,b,c)
1920-1923 (a,b,c)
Background
The tiny town of Sanquar (population 2,100 in 1991) in Dumfrieshire is situated on the River Nith is an agricultural centre and for a little over 50 years, home of Nithsdale Wanderers. The club played only friendly and cup games until 1909 when they joined the Scottish Football Combination for two seasons. They then joined the Southern Counties League in 1910 and remained there until the competition was suspended in 1915.
"The 'Dale" closed down for the duration and in 1922 they joined the Western League, one of the regional competitions set up by the former Scottish Division Two sides in 1915. The following season this competition formed the new Scottish Third Division, which Nithsdale won in 1925. The difference in standards proved too much for the team and they finished last in 1927, nine points adrift. With the Third Division abandoned the previous year in chaos, Dale failed to be re-elected and left the Scottish League.
For most of the former Third Division sides, the competition had been financially ruinous but Nithsdale were not content to return to regional competition. They applied to return to the Scottish League in 1928, 1929 and 1930 but could not attract sufficient support. They played on at senior level until 1950 when they dropped down to junior level but they continued to struggle and in 1964, Nithsdale Wanderers closed down.
In 2001 a new senior club was formed and currently plays as Nithsdale Wanderers in the South of Scotland League.
Sources
- (a) The Scottish Football League - Past Members IV (Norman Nichol 1994)
- (b) Alick Milne
- (c) Brian McColl