Those who have ever played football in Battersea Park - either more recently or during the last 50 years - might be unaware that they have played on hallowed turf.

Wanderers FC, the first winners of the FA Cup back in 1872, played their home games at our borough’s most famous park.

Initially formed as Forest Football Club in 1859 and based in Leytonstone, the club was a founder member of the Football Association (FA) in 1863.

They adopted the title of Wanderers a year later, after "wandering" across London and relocating at Battersea Park.

The first ever football match, played under the rules of the recently formed FA, was hosted at Battersea Park on January 9 1864 - exactly 145 years ago this month.

Football was an amateur game back in those days, but the Wanderers were the Manchester United of their era, winning the famous trophy five times in the 1870s.

The team consisted mostly of ex-public schoolboys, and was captained by Charles Alcock, who was also chairman of the FA from 1870 to 1895.

Contrary to modern styles of playing kit, the Wanderers played in the rather fetching combination of brown, orange and pink hoops complete with white shorts and black socks.

Aside from the Wanderers, Wandsworth’s rich footballing tradition continued in 1881 when Clapham Rovers beat Oxford University 3-1 in the final.

Amateur football could once again be returning to Battersea Park as fans of the Wanderers are planning to re-form the club, although it is unknown whether the park will be used as their home ground.