A PLAQUE to commemorate the historic moment a Wanderers player scored the first goal in world league football will have a home in Bolton.

Campaigners have been looking for a space to put the plaque, which will mark the goal scored by former Whites star Kenny Davenport on the opening day of the season, September 8 in 1888.

It had been thought another goal was the first recorded, but painstaking research from journalist Mark Metcalf and his friend Robert Boyling discovered in 2013 that a delay in the other match meant Kenny’s goal was the first in English league football.

As the English league is the oldest on earth, it makes that strike – the opening goal in Whites’ 6-3 home defeat to Derby County – the first recorded goal in world football.

The goal was scored on a former pitch in the Pikes Lane area and Mr Metcalf along with members of Kenny’s family and campaigner Martin McMulkin have been asking residents living in the area to offer up space on their properties for a blue plaque, which is being commissioned by the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust.

Now their search is over after local business the Lostock Electrical Projects Company agreed to have the plaque on their building in Bankfield Street – near to where the historic goal was scored.

Business owner Duncan Simm, 58, a Wanderers fan, said he was happy to help.

He said: “They have all clearly worked hard on the project and my business partner and I have no problem placing it here.

“It is interesting, we are thinking about putting a letterhead on our documents stating that we are based where the first goal was scored.

“I am a Wanderers fan so that helps, but yeah we have no problem with it.”

The firm have a link with football having created flood lighting for Liverpool and Manchester United's grounds.

Mr Metcalf said he was “delighted” that a space for the plaque had finally been found.

He said: “We have all worked long and hard on this, starting when myself and Robert found out that Kenny had actually scored the first ever league goal back in 2013.

“We have hit a few obstacles on the way but we are very pleased that Duncan has said we can use his building for the plaque and we will be looking at officially unveiling it in the near future.”

He added: “I hope Wanderers fans and football fans will enjoy coming to see it and celebrating what Kenny achieved, it doesn’t get much bigger than the first league goal in world football.”

The plaque will be unveiled at a ceremony in the near future.

The full story of Kenny's goal can be found in Mr Metcalf's book The Origin of the Football League.