Although the club claimed a formation date of 1872, the first recorded match is from 1876, against Radcliffe.

[3] It was one of the first entrants to the Notts Cup in 1883-84, reaching the semi-finals, but losing to the Trent club.

[4] The Wanderers appealed the result on the basis that one of the Trent players (Harry Moore) was a professional with Notts County, and that both he and another player were cup-tied, but the Nottinghamshire Football Association rejected the appeal, as it was both out of time and unsupported by a formal motion by the Wanderers club.

[5] The club struggled to attract crowds; although 1,000 attended a match against the Swifts at the Meadows in October 1884,[6] one week later, the club played in front of a meagre attendance because most people were watching Notts County v Darwen instead.

Even a local derby Cup tie could not attract crowds, only 400 turning up to the first match (the appalling weather being a factor).