Reformation
The project that has led to the reformation of the Wanderers began in October 2008.
Mark Wilson, the current Club Secretary, contacted Mrs. Karen Gunnell - having discovered a message board conversation searching for information on Charles William Alcock, the founder of the original Wanderers.
Mrs. Gunnell is CW Alcock’s great-niece and her grandfather was John Forster Alcock (1841-1910), Charles’ brother, attendee at the first meeting of the Football Association and a co-founder of Forest FC, the precursory team to Wanderers. JF Alcock played at least four times, scoring four goals, for Forest - but when Wanderers began in earnest, he decided not to play.
Mrs. Gunnell, pictured at the unveiling of a plaque for her grandfather in Sunderland her son and Wanderers player, Johannes Gunnell, has offered her support - and that of her family, the descendants of the Alcock brothers;
Mr. Wilson also contacted UNICEF UK, who have a fantastic track record of using football to raise awareness - Soccer Aid was a UNICEF project, football clubs such as Barcelona (Spain) and Brondby (Denmark) have paid contributions to bear the charity’s logo and for FIFA World Cup 2006 UNICEF appointed numerous ambassadors.
UNICEF UK’s fundraising initiatives officer, Mrs. Alyrene Rosser, said;
The aim of the reformation project is to ensure that the legacy of the original club lives on.
On the 7th of November 2010, the legacy of the Alcock brothers to football came full circle as the great-great-grandson of JF Alcock, Johannes ‘Jojo’ Gunnell, pulled on the legendary pink, black and gold shirt and played his first game for Wanderers.
Mark Wilson, the current Club Secretary, contacted Mrs. Karen Gunnell - having discovered a message board conversation searching for information on Charles William Alcock, the founder of the original Wanderers.
Mrs. Gunnell is CW Alcock’s great-niece and her grandfather was John Forster Alcock (1841-1910), Charles’ brother, attendee at the first meeting of the Football Association and a co-founder of Forest FC, the precursory team to Wanderers. JF Alcock played at least four times, scoring four goals, for Forest - but when Wanderers began in earnest, he decided not to play.
Mrs. Gunnell, pictured at the unveiling of a plaque for her grandfather in Sunderland her son and Wanderers player, Johannes Gunnell, has offered her support - and that of her family, the descendants of the Alcock brothers;
“This is a brilliant idea. I think all football should be played for charity - not for multi-millionaires... The project would certainly have my backing... it's a great plan and we give it our blessing.”
Mr. Wilson also contacted UNICEF UK, who have a fantastic track record of using football to raise awareness - Soccer Aid was a UNICEF project, football clubs such as Barcelona (Spain) and Brondby (Denmark) have paid contributions to bear the charity’s logo and for FIFA World Cup 2006 UNICEF appointed numerous ambassadors.
UNICEF UK’s fundraising initiatives officer, Mrs. Alyrene Rosser, said;
“Thank you for your letter regarding fundraising for UNICEF through re-establishing the Wanderers FC. We are delighted you have thought of UNICEF in your endeavour... thank you once again for choosing to support UNICEF and the children of the world.”
The aim of the reformation project is to ensure that the legacy of the original club lives on.
On the 7th of November 2010, the legacy of the Alcock brothers to football came full circle as the great-great-grandson of JF Alcock, Johannes ‘Jojo’ Gunnell, pulled on the legendary pink, black and gold shirt and played his first game for Wanderers.
RSS Feeds