As football season approached, the town fans were enthused over the fine showing of the team the year before.  Now the little school was beginning the new season against the largest school in the state — Wheeling.   The cry at Follansbee was “On To Wheeling.”  It was the first time the schools would meet.   Building on the excitement, the F.H.S. boosters discussed ways to built fan support for the Wheeling game.

The result was the founding of the “Pepper Club.”  Their immediate goal was to gain 100 staunch boosters to get behind the team and find ways to promote them on to even better season. The first elected club officials were Tom McBride, President, and George Hubbs, secretary-treasure.

Hundreds of excited fans drove down to the Wheeling game.  Special street cars were organized to handle the crowd.   The stubborn Follansbee team lead Wheeling until the last seven minutes of play. Wheeling won the game 13-7.

The Pepper Club became a colorful city tradition.  In the late 1930s, the Peppers were popular for their vagabond band.  Before each game, away or at home, they marched with the school band and fans through town to the football field.

  The Pepper Club declined in the 1940s as World War II began. See 1939 Follansbee vs Mingo Football game.

Photo: Follansbee Brooke Co. Library

• Steubenville Herald Star, “Pepper Club Gets Behind Follansbee Hi – On To Wheeling,” September 22, 1922, p. 11.