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Wishaw Juniors F.C.
Wishaw Juniors F.C. is a Scottish Junior (professional) (non-league) Football Club and is based in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Club is generally regarded as having been established in 1885 under the name of Wishaw Thistle, although, recently, evidence has come to light suggesting an even earlier foundation date - possibly 1881/82.The Club has been through some difficult times in recent years following the loss of its home ground in the early 1990's and for a period of years the ownership and structure of the Club was unclear. However, with the assistance of a local benefactor this issue has been resolved and the Club is now being operated as a community club belonging to all of the people of Wishaw.
Wishaw Juniors is now therfore 'held in trust' on behalf of the community by a Board of Trustees led by former Motherwell F.C. Chairman, John Chapman with the day to day operation of the Club being carried out by a small volunteer committee. Home matches are played at Wishaw Sports Centre, Alexander Street, Wishaw which is owned by North Lanarkshire Council. The Club currently plays its football in the second division of the Central District League, part of the West of Scotland Region of the Scottish Junior football Association.
Originally a 'junior' club Wishaw also operated as a senior club from 1888 untill 1919 and competed in the Scottish F.A. Cup, with its most illustrious opponents being Glasgow Celtic. Notts County were also visitors to Wishaw when in their own heyday in the old Division 1 of the English league, losing 5 - 2 to the home town team. During this period Wishaw competed in a number of the early scottish football leagues including the Scottish Football Federation, Scottish Football Union, and Scottish Combination Leagues and were winners of many trophies including the Scottish Qualifying Cup (v Arbroath). Thereafter the club played mainly in the former Lanarkshire Junior League until re-organisation took it into the Central Regional League in 1968 until the most recent reorganisation of Junior football placed Wishaw in the Central League. Wishaw was one of the leading clubs in the bitter 'intermediates' dispute which lasted 4 years in the 1920/30s during which time the Club played in the Intermediate League and were original entrants for what is now the West of Scotland Cup.
During World War 1 the Club continued to operate and often fielded guest players from many famous senior clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Before the war Wishaw had ambitions to join the Scottish Football League and even took part in the 'reserve' league competing against the reserve 'A' sides of Glasgow Celtic, Glasgow Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, and near neighbours Motherwell. After the war ended Wishaw abandoned its aspirations of senior league football and rejoined the Scottish Junior Football Association.
During World War 11 although most football closed down, Wishaw and a number of other Lanarkshire teams played in the short lived Lanark and Lothians League. During this period Wishaw won the St Michael's cup and also reached the final of the East of Scotland Cup. This gave Wishaw the unique distinction of being the only Club to have played in the finals of the Scottish, West and East junior cups.
A further re-organisation of junior football in the early years of this century sees the club playing in the second division of the S.J.F.A. West Region, Central District League. Success has not been a visitor to Wishaw for many years, but the Club has, in the past, won almost 40 trophies including a number of senior trophies and the two main trophies competed for by junior clubs namely, The Scottish Junior Cup and The West of Scotland Junior Cup. The Scottish win came as long ago as season 1887/88 when Wishaw became only the second club to lift the trophy by defeating Maryhill 3 - 1. Wishaw have the distinction of being the longest surving former winners of the cup and one of only three surving junior clubs to have played in the first competition.
The Club is known to have played at the old Belhaven Park c1900's ( better known locally as the site of the dog racing track ) but was later based for many many years at Recreation Park, Kirk Road Wishaw. Sadly the ground and adjoining social club were lost to the club in the early 1990's and have now been built over. The club has almost folded on a number of occasions but still survives and is heading towards its 125th (or perhaps 130th) anniversary.
Over the years, numerous Wishaw Juniors players have been transferred to senior clubs in both Scotland and England including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Motherwell, Celtic, Rangers and a host of others. Some of these have had very successfull careers indeed (see the notable players page). One captained Newcastle United's EUFA cup winning side and another was part of the Nottingham Forrest management team when that club won the European Cup on two successive occasions. One trained the legendary Stanley Matthews. One managed Chelsea and others had short spells in charge at Manchester United and Derby County A few ex Wishaw players continued their playing careers in Ireland and at least two did so in Australia one of whom was 'capped' there. Undoubtedly, the the Club's most famous former player has to be William Angus V.C. to whom we have devoted a page on this site in his honour and memory.
We are always delighted to hear from ex-players or Wishaw exiles wherever they may be on the planet or from anyone just interested in who we are and what we are doing.
Whilst those of us involved in running the Club have our own vision of how the Club might develop in the future our immediate concerns are simply to stabilise the Club and set it on sound foundations. We ask the people of Wishaw to support us.
If you want to contact us please do so by clicking on the "CONTACT US" button on the site menu. Alternately, if you wish, you can also e-mail us at wishawjuniors@hotmail.com