Football’s rich tapestry is woven with clubs whose origins date back to the 19th century earliest football teams, laying the foundation for the modern game we cherish today. In this exploration, we delve into the 12 oldest football clubs in the world, highlighting their histories, contributions, and enduring legacies.
In the earliest football teams mid-1800s, football first appeared on the scene.
When the Football Association was established in 1863, a number of clubs in England were already participating in the game, and they still do. Eight years later, the inaugural FA Cup took place, and in 2024, a number of its players are still active football players. It took thirteen years for a contemporary team to win the competition, though, as Blackburn Rovers did it in 1884.
| Oldest Clubs in Football History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Club | Year of Establishment |
| 1 | Sheffield FC | 1857 |
| 2 | Cray Wanderers | 1860 |
| 3 | Hallam | 1860 |
| 4 | Notts County | 1862 |
| 5 | Stoke City | 1863 |
| 6 | Wrexham | 1864 |
| 7 | Brigg Town | 1864 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 1865 |
| 9 | Queen’s Park | 1867 |
| 10 | Sheffield Wednesday | 1867 |
| 11 | Kilmarnock | 1869 |
| 12 | maidenheah | 1870 |
1. Sheffield FC (Founded 1857)
Recognized by both FIFA and the FA as the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC was established in October 1857. The club initially played under its own set of rules, known as the “Sheffield Rules,” before adopting the FA’s regulations in 1878. Today, Sheffield FC competes in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
FIFA recognizes Sheffield FC as the world’s oldest football club, having been established in October 1857. Although the team has changed stadiums several times during its existence, Sheffield FC actually plays its home games in the Derbyshire town of Dronfield.
The team played Sheffield earliest football teams rules until 1878, even after joining the Football Association in 1863. Their games against Hallam are referred to as the Rules Derby. Together with Real Madrid, they were one of just two teams to be named to the FIFA Order of Merit in 2004. They concluded the 2022–2023 season at level 8 on the English football pyramid, in ninth position in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
| Sheffield FC | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1857 |
| Date of first match | 26 December 1860 |
| Opponent | Hallam |
| Scoreline | 2-0 |
2. Cambridge University AFC (Founded 1856)
Cambridge University Association Football Club claims its foundation in 1856, a date recognized by the Football Association, earliest football teams which awarded the club a plaque in 2006 honoring its 150th anniversary. The team represents the University of Cambridge and currently plays in the British Universities and Colleges Sport leagues.
3. Hallam FC (Founded 1860)
Established in 1860, Hallam FC is based in Sheffield and is known for playing at Sandygate Road, recognized as the world’s oldest football stadium. The club made history by winning the Youdan Cup in 1867, considered the world’s first-ever football tournament. Today, Hallam FC competes in the Northern Counties East League Division One.
Founded in 1860, Hallam played their first game against Sheffield FC, a local team, in what is said to be the oldest football match in history. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes their ground, Sandygate, which they have shared with Halland Cricket Club from their founding, as the oldest football stadium in the world.
It opened in 1804. The Yorkshire team also boasts the achievement of defeating Norfolk in the 1867 final of the Youdan Cup, the earliest football competition ever played under Sheffield Rules. Despite this remarkable beginning as a football team, the rest of their existence is somewhat unimpressive, and they placed sixth in 2023.
| Hallam | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1860 |
| Date of first match | 26 December 1860 |
| Opponent | Sheffield FC |
| Scoreline | 0-2 |
4. Cray Wanderers FC (Founded 1860)
Founded in 1860, Cray Wanderers is one of the oldest football clubs in London. The club has a rich history and currently competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
In the village of St Mary Cray in Bromley, London, railway workers would spend their free time kicking a ball around, which is how the Cray Wanderers claim to have started as a football team in 1860. They operated as a semi-professional club after briefly being a professional club from 1895 to 1907.
They presently compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division, one division below the National League South, although as of 2023, they have never made it to the Football League. They are now managed by Neil Smith, whose some what successful playing career included clubs like Fulham and Reading, and they currently play their games at Hayes Lane in Bromley, a National League team.
| Cray Wanderers | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1860 |
| Date of first match | N/A |
5. Worksop Town FC (Founded 1861)
Established in 1861, Worksop Town FC is based in Nottinghamshire, England. The club has a long-standing history and currently plays in the Northern Premier League.
6. Notts County FC (Founded 1862)
Founded in 1862, Notts County is recognized as the oldest and earliest football teams professional football club in the world. The club has a storied history and currently competes in the English Football League system.
Notts County is the world’s oldest professional football team, having been founded in 1862 before the Football Association. Juventus chose the club’s black and white stripes in 1903 after it was one of the first members of the Football League in 1888.
The Magpies’ lone significant accolade to far is the 1894 FA Cup, and their highest league finish to date was third in the 1890–91 season, despite being a consistent presence throughout the first thirty years of the English top flight. They were promoted back into the Football League pyramid in 2023 after four years in non-league for the first time in their history, and they have only played in the top level four times since 1926.
| Notts County | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1862 |
| Date of first match | 2 January 1865 |
| Opponent | Sheffield FC |
| Scoreline | 0-1 |
7. Stoke City FC (Founded 1863)
Established in 1863, Stoke City is one of the oldest football clubs in the English Football League. The club has a rich history and currently competes in the Championship.
Although there is no evidence of Stoke City playing a game until 1868, the club claims to have been founded in 1863, as indicated by their crest. They were known as the Stoke Ramblers at the time, but in 1878 they changed their name to just Stoke, and in 1925, when Stoke-on-Trent was made a city, they became Stoke City.
Although the Potters were among the original Football League members in 1888, they did not win reelection in 1890 after finishing last in the first two seasons.
| Stoke City | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1863 |
| Date of first match | 17 October 1868 |
| Opponent | E.W. May’s XV |
| Scoreline | 1-1 |
8. Wrexham AFC (Founded 1864)
Founded in 1864, Wrexham AFC is the oldest football club in Wales. The club has a long-standing history and currently competes in the National League.
As viewers of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series will attest, Wrexham is a town and a club that is extremely proud of its past. They are the earliest football teams in Wales, having been founded in 1864. The Racecourse Ground, where they play, is regarded as the oldest international football arena in the world.
After entering the English Football League, the Red Dragons advanced to the second division in 1977 before being demoted once more in 1982. Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney notably took over the team in 2021 after it had played in the National League for thirteen years. In 2023, the team returned to the Football League after winning the league title with a record-breaking 111 points.
| Wrexham | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1864 |
| Date of first match | 22 October 1864 |
| Opponent | Prince of Wales Fire Brigade |
| Scoreline | 1-2 |
9. Brigg Town FC (Founded 1864)
Established in 1864, Brigg Town FC is based in Lincolnshire, England. The club has a rich history and currently plays in the Northern Counties East League Division One.
Despite being among the earliest football teams in England—reports indicate that their very first game was played in 1864—Brigg Town has never been able to compete at the highest levels of the Football League hierarchy. In 1882, they advanced to the final of the first Lincolnshire Senior Cup, and in 1948, they were admitted as founding members of the Lincolnshire League.
They were elected to the English league system in 1976 after winning eight league titles. Since then, they have won two league titles and two FA Vases. In 2002, they advanced to the FA Cup first round, losing 4-1 to League One team Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. Brigg placed tenth in the Northern Counties East in 2022–2023.
| Brigg Town | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1864 |
| Date of first match | January 1864 |
| Opponent | Gentlemen of Lincoln XI |
| Scoreline | Abandoned |
10. Royal Engineers AFC (Founded 1863)
Founded in 1863, the Royal Engineers Association Football Club is one of the oldest football clubs in the world. The club has a storied history and has contributed significantly to the development of football.
11. Civil Service FC (Founded 1863)
Established in 1863, Civil Service FC is one of the founding members of the Football Association. The club has a long-standing history and continues to play football to this day.
12. Queens Park FC (Founded 1867)
Founded in 1867, Queens Park FC is the oldest football club in Scotland. The club has a rich history and currently competes in the Scottish Professional Football League.
Scotland’s earliest football teams, Queen’s Park, has a long and illustrious history. As the forerunners of Scottish football, the club was founded in 1867 and formed the complete Scotland national team that played in the first-ever international football match against England in 1872.
They also spearheaded the effort to create a Scottish football association. Although they were regularly asked to play in the FA Cup, where they placed second twice, and dominated the early years of the Scottish Cup, Queen’s Park has never taken home the highest flight in Scotland.
Before their supporters voted in favor of turning full-time in 2019, they were the only amateur football team in the Scottish Football League pyramid.
| Queen’s Park | |
|---|---|
| Year formed | 1867 |
| Date of first match | 1 August 1868 |
| Opponent | Thistle F.C. |
| Scoreline | 2-0 |
These earliest football teams have not only pioneered the sport but have also left an indelible mark on football’s history. Their legacies continue to inspire and shape the beautiful game we know today.
At BassNet.com, we understand the importance of history and legacy. Our agency is dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of football while embracing modern innovations. Join us as we celebrate the past and look forward to the future of the beautiful game.