Dial Square

The original name of Arsenal FC, founded in 1886 by munitions workers in Woolwich.

Dial Square is a football club founded in 1886 by munitions workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. The club was originally named after a workshop at the heart of the Royal Arsenal complex. Dial Square played their first match on 11 December 1886 against the Eastern Wanderers and won 6–0. The club was renamed Royal Arsenal by January 1887.

Quick Facts

Founding year: 2020
Current league: Southern Combination Football League Division One
First match date: 26 September 2020
First goal scorer: Lewis Afflick
First victory: 17 October 2020
Consecutive promotions: 3

Lore & Background

Dial Square was founded in October 1886 by Scotsman David Danskin and fifteen fellow munitions workers. Each member contributed sixpence, and Danskin added three shillings to help form the club. The club was named after a workshop at the heart of the Royal Arsenal complex. The club had been renamed Royal Arsenal by January 1887.

Reader's Guide

Dial Square is the original name of the club that later became Arsenal FC. The club was founded in Woolwich, South East London, and its first home was Plumstead Common, though they spent most of their time playing at the Manor Ground. The club's first trophies were the Kent Senior Cup and London Charity Cup in 1889–90 and the London Senior Cup in 1890–91. In 1891, Royal Arsenal became the first London club to turn professional. The club was renamed Woolwich Arsenal in 1893 and joined the Football League that year as the first southern member.