Exactly 150 years on from the first meeting which sparked the start of Wolverhampton Wanderers, a special blue plaque was unveiled in the Wolves Museum at Molineux.
On Tuesday 10th November 2026, a group of 50 officials, staff, former players and supporters gathered for an intimate event, where the blue plaque – created to publicly mark the historical event – was unveiled for the first time.
Inside the auditorium in the museum, vice-president John Gough and club historian Peter Crump told the fascinating story of how schoolfriends John Baynton and John Brodie, encouraged by headmaster Harry Barcroft, set the foundations for the club at St Luke’s in November 1876.
In 2026, relatives of Baynton and Brodie were invited to the museum, as were representatives of the Wolverhampton Society, St Luke’s and the 1877 Trust, joining Gough, fellow vice president John Bowater and director of football operations and administration Matt Wild, amongst others.
Geoff Palmer is one of four players to have won the League Cup twice with Wolves in 1974 and 1980, the second of which was achieved alongside Mel Eves, and both attended the event on behalf of the Former Players’ Association on Tuesday afternoon.
After Crump and Gough said their pieces, the sheet was pulled away by Bowater and Gough to display the plaque to the public for the very first time, before those present were able to enjoy the plaque’s detail, which tells the story of Barcroft, Baynton and Brodie.
Now, the plaque will be installed on the outside of St Luke’s Church ahead of 13th January – the precise 150th anniversary and location of the club’s founding, providing a permanent reminder of this season’s celebration in the city.
Gough said: “It was a very important day. Wolves were a founder member of the only football league in the world at the time, and they wouldn’t have been without the foresight of two young pupils.
“It was a big day because without the meeting on the 10th, we wouldn’t be having January. The city and Wolverhampton Wanderers are joined at the hip. We work together incredibly well, more now than ever, and now I can’t wait to see the plaque up in Blakenhall, where it belongs.”
Crump said: “It was honour to tell the story. It’s a fascinating period of our club and it was nice to bring some of the people who helped create us to life, and we’re doing that as the season progresses by preserving our heritage.
“Nobody can preserve the Wolves heritage on their own, and we’re grateful that we’ve got lots of knowledgeable supporters, and there’ll be more there on 13th January for the big one.”
Palmer said: “I’ve supported Wolves all my life, and to play here made me proud, so to come to the celebration was special. Wolves have had some fantastic players, from Billy Wright to the present team, so to be part of that history is special – I did my little bit and I’m proud.
“Everybody concerned with the football club deserves this plaque. For the club and the fans, this is something they should be proud of.”
Supporters will be able to enjoy the blue plaque at St Luke’s in Blakenhall from 13th January 2027.
