After Arsenal recently secured their 14th league title under Mikel Arteta, many supporters have been reflecting on the club’s remarkable history and how far it has come.
From its humble beginnings in South East London to becoming one of the most successful football clubs in England, Arsenal’s journey is a fascinating one. Many fans around the world know the club as “The Gunners”, but fewer know the story behind that famous nickname.
From Dial Square To Royal Arsenal
Modern-day Arsenal was born in October 1886 in Woolwich, at the exact location where the Dial Arch pub stands today.
Originally, the club was called Dial Square FC. The original 15 players worked at the local Royal Arsenal armament factory and named the team after the sundial that stood above the factory entrance.
Just two months later, the foundations of one of football’s greatest institutions were firmly in place.
In December 1886, Dial Square FC played their first-ever match, defeating Eastern Wanderers 6-0 on the Isle of Dogs.
On Christmas Day that same year, the club’s founders gathered at the Royal Oak pub and made the decision to officially rename the team Royal Arsenal.
By 1891, Royal Arsenal had become the first professional football club in the South of England.
Two years later, in 1893, the club joined the Football League Second Division as Woolwich Arsenal, playing its home matches at the Manor Ground in Plumstead.
Visiting Arsenal’s Roots Today
Today, supporters can still visit the birthplace of Arsenal within the Royal Arsenal Riverside area of Greenwich.
The historic building that once served as the factory workshop now operates as the Dial Arch pub, overlooking the site where the club was formed.
A short walk from the pub stands a commemorative plaque marking the birthplace of The Gunners, complete with a silver plinth featuring a sculpture of a traditional leather football.
It serves as a reminder of how one of the world’s biggest football clubs emerged from modest beginnings among a group of workers with a shared passion for the game.
Since those early days in 1886, Arsenal have gone on to win 49 major honours:
- 14 League Titles
- 14 FA Cups
- 17 Community Shields
- 2 League Cups
- 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup
- 1 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
From a factory team in Woolwich to Premier League champions under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s rise remains one of the great stories in English football.
Have you ever visited the birthplace of Arsenal in Woolwich, Gooners? Let us know your memories and thoughts in the comments below.
Liam Harding
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My son and grandson took me there a couple of years ago, it’s a great place to visit with lots of cannons around the grounds. Last year a Gooner friend and me went on a bit of an Arsenal pilgrimage, he hadn’t visited Dial Square previously, though was born and bought up in Highbury. After showing him the birthplace of TheArsenal and of course having a pint in the Dial Square pub, we took the tube from Woolwich to Arsenal station, managing to sneak into the old Highbury stadium and stood on the spot where Tony Adams scored his iconic goal in the final game of the season against Everton which I think we won 4-1, ( I’m happy to be corrected). I pointed out to him where my season ticket was in the front row upper tier of the west stand, the frontage facing the old pitch is still there. After showing me the house where he was born, just around the corner from the stadium we walked to the Emirates stadium, then around the Armoury and finally to find my dad’s plaque on the huge wall covered in memory plaques. I urge all Gooners to do this pilgrimage even if just to see the old Dial Square and take in the atmosphere of the place.
GB,
It was 4-0 versus Everton. Bilic own goal, Adams scored 1. And the flying dutchman Overmars scored 2. 👍
Thanks Derek and I forgot to mention Tony’s statue is of him doing his iconic celebration after scoring that goal.
GB,
Not a problem. 👍
Thanks GB
I do get the feeling Arsenal’s old Highbury stadium and Dial square space at the Emirates Stadium is a must, for one to really experience a complete story of the club.
Have never been to England but , but I do like the idea of these places to visit
*OT
Big Ups to Folarin Balogun. On becoming the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930. Once a Gunner. Always a Gunner…👏🏾
Yes NY_Gunner, he is the good striker the US has desperately needed. I don’t know if Paraguay was simply very bad on the day; but the US played the best half I’ve ever seen them play in a competitive fixture. First to virtually every ball and very sharp in possession.
@BB
Yeah. Seems like Poch has finally got them up for the fight fit. Hope they make something of it this time.🤞🏾
This story and the Comments I read today about my darling Arsenal is very fascinating.