Dial Square

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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. Dial Square played their first match on 11 December 1886 against the Eastern Wanderers and won 6–0. The club had been renamed Royal Arsenal by January 1887.

In Their Own Story

On 26 September 2020, Dial Square played their first match against Worplesdon Phoenix, suffering a 4–0 defeat, but found redemption just a week later with a thrilling 4–4 draw against Virginia Water Development where Lewis Afflick scored the club's inaugural goal. The breakthrough victory arrived on 17 October 2020, when George Holland netted in the 90th minute to secure a 2–1 win over Chertsey Old Salesians. By April 2021, membership surged following protests against the European Super League. The club achieved three consecutive promotions in their first three full seasons: finishing second in the Guildford & Woking Alliance League (2021–22), runners-up in Surrey County Intermediate Division One (2022–23), and champions of the Premier Division (2023–24). In 2023–24, striker Harry Rice broke a league scoring record with 35 goals in 21 games, eventually tallying 49 goals across all competitions.

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.

Did You Know?

• Dial Square was named after a workshop at the heart of the Royal Arsenal complex.
• The club's first match was a 6–0 victory against Eastern Wanderers on 11 December 1886.
• Dial Square was renamed Royal Arsenal by January 1887.
• The club was founded by Scotsman David Danskin and fifteen fellow munitions workers.