Top Ten Oldest Football Clubs in The World

Football is one of the most popular sports on the planet, and it has existed for quite some time. The roots of this beautiful sport can be traced back to the mid-19th century. At first, football was just a pastime activity, but it quickly transitioned into a well-organized conventional sport. 

This sport grew in the 1850s in England, where most of the world’s oldest clubs are located. Some of those clubs compete in the top-tier leagues, while others play in the lower-tier leagues. 

In this blog post, I’ll take you through the world’s top 10 oldest football clubs in the world. Moreover, all of these teams are active to this day. 

Keep reading, and find out which are the oldest football clubs ever!

#10 – Queen’s Park

Year of Establishment: 1867

The Queen’s Park is the oldest Scottish football club. Established in 1867, it has a long and rich history. Interestingly, the Scottish national team that played their first game in 1872 consisted only of players from Queen’s Park.

This football club in Glasgow plays in the Scottish League Two. Queen’s Park’s home stadium is Hampden Park, and it has a capacity of 3,700 seats.  

Regarding the trophies that this soccer club from Scotland has won, they lifted the Scottish Cup trophy ten times, 2 Scottish Second League trophies, 1 Scottish Third League trophy, and 2 Scottish Fourth League titles. The majority of those trophies were won in the 19th century.  

#9 – Nottingham Forest 

Year of Establishment: 1865

One of the oldest football clubs in the world is the legendary English team—Nottingham Forest. This club was established back in 1865 by three players of a Scottish game called Shinty, which is played by using a stick and a ball. 

Nottingham Forest is an English club located in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Premier League. Its home stadium is City Ground, which has a capacity of 30,445 seats. 

Nottingham Forest has won many trophies throughout the club’s history. The golden era of this team was when they dominated Europe, winning two European Champion Clubs’ Cups in a row,  in 1979 and 1980. Also, Nottingham Forest was a one-time English champion, two-time FA Cup winner, four-time English League Cup winner, three-time English Second League winner, and one-time English Third League winner. 

The most notable club figures were Brian Clough, the famous manager, and players such as Roy Keane, Peter Shilton, Nigel Clough, and Stuart Pearce. 

#8 – Wrexham AFC

Year of Establishment: 1864

Wrexham AFC happens to be the oldest football club in the country of Wales. It was founded in 1864 by a group of Wrexham Cricket Club members who wanted to find a sport they could play in winter. 

The home stadium of Wrexham AFC is the Racecourse Ground and has approximately 10,000 available seats for the fans. 

This 150-year-old Welsh soccer club has had its highs and lows. Over the years, Wrexham AFC has won the Welsh Cup 23 times, 1 Football League trophy, and 1 English 3rd Tier title. However, they have also faced relegation and struggled financially more than a few times in their history. 

In 2021, this Welsh club started a new chapter when the club was bought by famous actors Rob McElhenney as well as Ryan Reynolds. These Hollywood actors became the new owners hoping to take this club to a whole new level. 

#7 – Brigg Town FC

Year of Establishment: 1864

Brigg Town holds the No.7 spot on the list of the oldest soccer clubs in history. Nicknamed “The Zebras”, this English club was founded in 1864. Brigg Town FC is located in Lincolnshire and plays in the Northern Counties East League. The league they play in happens to be the 10th tier of English football. 

The Brigg Town team’s home stadium is the Hawthorns, which can hold nearly 2,500 supporters. 

In 1948, Brigg Town FC became one of the founders of the Lincolnshire League. Throughout its history, Brigg Town FC has lifted the trophy of that same league eight times. Other trophies they’ve won are two FA Vases, one Northern Counties East League title, one Midland League title, and so on. 

#6 – Royal Engineers AFC

Year of Establishment: 1863

Royal Engineers AFC is an English football club that represents the British Army or the Corps of Royal Engineers, to be more exact. This team was established in 1863, and they’re located in Chatham, Kent. 

Royal Engineer’s home ground is called the “Number One Ground,” and it holds approximately 500 available seats. The club plays in the Army Football Association, and throughout the years, they’ve won a plethora of trophies: 1 FA Cup, 1 FA Amateur Cup, and 1 Munster Senior Cup too. Royal Engineers AFC were also FA Cup runners-up in 1872, 1874, and 1878. 

This English club also plays games with numerous military football teams worldwide. Apart from football, Royal Engineers AFC supports numerous charitable activities and holds fundraisers for military personnel and their families. 

#5 – Stoke City FC or Stoke Ramblers

Year of Establishment: 1863

Stoke City FC is the fifth oldest soccer club in history. It was founded in 1863 and was originally called the Stoke Ramblers, but it was renamed Stoke City FC in 1925. The club’s home ground is the Bet365 stadium, which can hold 30,000 seats. Nicknamed “The Potters,” this club was one of the founders of the Football League, which was established in 1888. 

Stoke City has primarily played in top-tier English football leagues such as the Premier League as well as the Championship. 

This club has amassed the following accolades throughout its history: 1 English League Cup, 2 English 2nd Tier League titles, and 1 English 3rd Tier title. 

Stoke City has had several exceptional players, such as Sir Stanley Matthews, Gordon Banks, Denis Smith, and Freddie Steele. 

#4 – Notts County

Year of Establishment: 1862

Notts County is the 4th oldest soccer club in the world, established in 1862. There were 12 founders of the Football League back in 1888, and this English football club was one of them. The home stadium of Notts County is Meadow Lane, with 19,000 available seats.

Moreover, they wear jerseys with black and white stripes like the Italian football giant—Juventus. 

This club was present in the first couple of decades of the English top-tier League, and after that, they stayed in the lower divisions. Throughout its history, Notts County lifted many trophies like 1 FA Cup, 3 English 2nd tier league titles, and 3 English 4th tier league titles. 

Jack Grealish is the greatest player of Notts County and the most expensive player ever from England since he joined Manchester City for $139 million in 2021.

#3 – Cray Wanderers FC

Year of Establishment: 1860

Cray Wanderers FC was established in 1860, and it’s the oldest football club in London. Their home stadium is the Hayes Lane, which can hold approximately 5,000 fans. 

Cray Wanderers FC was formed when railway workers started spending their free time kicking a ball, and from then on, the club began to grow. This English football club was a professional club from 1895 until 1907, and after that period, they started competing on a semi-professional level. 

Since it was founded, Cray Wanderers has won the following trophies: 1 Isthmian League Division One title, 4 Kent League titles, 2 London League titles, 4 Kent Amateur Cup trophies, etc. 

#2 – Hallam FC

Year of Establishment: 1860

The second oldest football club in the world is Hallam FC, which was founded in 1860. Their home stadium is Sandygate, which has been shared with Halland Cricket Club since they were founded 160 years ago.  The Guinness Book of World Records has acknowledged that this club’s home ground is the oldest in history, having opened its gates in 1804.

Hallam FC has had its ups and downs during its existence, but they’re still active. This football club has won numerous trophies over the years. But, the most important one was the Youdan Cup in 1867, which was the first-ever football tournament in the world. Also, in 2022, Hallam FC was the winner of the Northern Counties East League. 

#1 – Sheffield United FC 

 

Year of Establishment: 1857

The oldest football club in the world is Sheffield United FC. This English soccer club was established in 1857, and even FIFA has acknowledged it as the oldest club of all time. Their home stadium is Bramall Lane, with a capacity of over 32,000 fans. 

This club was founded by a group of members of the Sheffield Cricket Club. What’s interesting about Sheffield United is that it is the first team to have “United” as a part of a club’s name in England. 

Throughout it’s 160-year history, Sheffield United has competed in the best English leagues, and they often played in either the Premier League or the Championship. They won a plethora of trophies: 1x English Champions, 4x FA Cup, 1x English 2nd tier champion, 1x English 3rd tier Champion, and 1x English 4th tier company. 

Featured image taken from YouTube.