Aylsham Wanderers started life in 1946 as Aylsham Boys Club, the founders of the club being William Holman, a local businessman and Jimmy Williamson. A group of local boys who met weekly at the local scout hut to play snooker and darts needed little persuasion when a suggestion was made by one of the boy’s father that there were enough members to form a football team. In that first year they played their home games on a pitch on Cromer road and played friendly matches against other local sides and in 1947 changed their name to Aylsham Wanderers.

The club was elected into the Reepham & District League for the 1948-49 season and moved to a new “pitch” (meadow) on the Cawston road, on land owned by local farmer Mr Monk. The changing facilities consisted of a bell tent, with the pitch being marked out every Saturday morning by club members after the livestock had been cleared. In 1950 they again had to find a new home, but did not have to move far as another local farmer, Mr Tom Purdy allowed them use of his meadow on the other side of Woodgate Lake where they played for two seasons.

The start of the 1952-53 season saw them move once more when they were offered the use of the pitch at the Recreation ground after the sad demise of Aylsham Town and here we have remained until the present day. The club progressed through to the old Norfolk and Suffolk League before joining the Anglian Combination in its inaugural season in 1965.Ivan Williamson, one of the original players & son of founder Jimmy Williamson is still involved as Vice Chairman of the club today, having previously followed in his father’s footsteps as Chairman and also as Secretary and whom we thank for providing so much information for this site. Wanderers have three times graced the hallowed turf of Carrow Road, the first occasion in 1957 when we played Little Melton in the final of the Norfolk Junior Cup and played out a 3-3 draw. The replay was at the same venue but the match was lost by two goals to one. It was another forty years before the club was to have another bite of the cherry, again it was the Norfolk Junior Cup final. The opponents this time being Wells Town and after one of the most exciting County Cup finals ever seen, we returned home once again without the Cup as we lost 6-5 after extra time.

The 1976-77 season saw “local boy made good” Clive Payne, return to his grass roots when the ex-Norwich City and Bournemouth player took on the role of player/manager after having to give up the Professional game due to injury. Under his guidance Wanderers reached Senior football for the first time in their history with successive promotions taking them up to the 1st Division of the Anglian Combination. In 1977 we also reached the County Junior Cup semi-final, only to lose to Sprowston Athletic, who were ironically managed by Albert Bennett, another ex-Norwich City player. After relegation, Wanderers returned to Senior football after being crowned Division 2 Champions in the 1987-88 season with present Yarmouth Town manager Paul Tong at the helm, with the Reserve side also winning the Reserve Division 2 title in the same year.
A successful 2001-2002 season saw Wanderers, under the guidance of Shane Lutkin promoted to Division 2 as we finished runners-up to Gayton and the club is looking forward to another successful campaign.