The game of Football is one of the most established sports. Football is also one of the most followed sports with an incredibly large portion of the world as an enjoyer of this ‘beautiful game’. The game has a magnificent history down the lane backward.
The game of football dates back to ancient medieval times. This game with a ball filled with air later evolved into various other major sports like Rugby, American football, etc. The first-ever official international match was played between Scotland and England in the year 1872.
However, till then the sport was somewhat established with the emergence of numerous football clubs in multiple regions. These clubs took it into their hands to preach the sport and at the same time excel at it. Here are the 10 oldest football clubs sorted on the basis of their founding date.
10. Sheffield Wednesday (1867)
The Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is one of the oldest names in the English Football League format. The club currently plays in the third-tier league, League One. However, they used to play in the Premier League and are one of the most successful clubs in the region.
The club has won four first-tier league titles and five second-tier league titles. The Owls are one of the oldest clubs in England and was founded on 4th September 1867.
9. Nottingham Forest (1865)
Two times European Cup winners, Nottingham Forest a.ka The Tricky Trees are one of the most renowned clubs on the European continent. They have also won a First Division League(now known as Premier League) title and two FA Cups.
Forest is one of the oldest clubs and was formed way back in 1865.
8. Royal Engineers (1863)
Extension to the Corps of Royal Engineers, based on the British Armed Forces, the Royal Engineers Football club is one of the most renowned clubs in the region. Also known as ‘the sappers’, the club won the 1875 FA Cup and gained a lot of fame.
The club’s actual formation date is a mystery. However, we know for a fact that the club formation took place in the year 1863.
7. Stoke City (1863)
Coming from the Stoke-on-Trent area in Staffordshire, the club was more commonly known as ‘The Potters’. It was obvious given the humungous pottery industry in the province. The club’s formation took place in the year 1863 and is one of the oldest clubs in the world.
The regional Champions have also won other numerous league titles and Cups. Some of their major achievements include two times second-division titles and one League Cup(now known as the EFL Cup).
6. Notts County (1862)
Working hard in the Meadow Lane stadium in their usual black and white stripes jersey, we see the professional footballers playing for one of the oldest clubs in the world. A.k.a ‘The Magpies’, Notts County officially came together on 25th November 1862.
The club won its first and only FA Cup in 1894. The club also has a record for one of the fastest goals in the history of football. This feat was achieved by Barry Jones who scored a goal just 6 seconds after the game commenced.
5. Crystal Palace (1861)
One of the oldest association football clubs, Crystal Palace was one of the first few clubs that pushed the game forward. They are among the very initial clubs to have come together to form the Football Association. The club’s formation took place in 1861.
The club, unfortunately, met its end 15 years later in 1876. However, it was reformed back as the current renowned Crystal Palace. The same ownership of the two clubs is concrete proof of that fact.
4. Hallam FC (1860)
Home team to one of the oldest football stadiums in the world, Sandygate Road, Hallam FC is a club from the region Crosspool, Sheffield. A.k.a ‘The Coutrymen’, the club has a decorated shelf with an almost mythical trophy(Youdan Cup) on it. They won the first-ever football tournament ‘Youdan Cup’.
The club will complete its 162 years in the coming September. The official formation of the club dates back to 4th September 1860.
3. Wanderers FC (1859)
Initially founded under the name ‘Forest’, Wanderers were amongst the very few professional clubs in the late 1850s. The club has a phenomenal record for itself. They won the first-ever FA Cup in 1871.
The club won five FA Cups in a period of seven years between 1871-78. The club formation took place in 1859. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, the club had to dissolve in 1887.
2. Sheffield FC (1857)
A.k.a ‘The Club’, Sheffield Football Club is entitled as the oldest club still in existence by FIFA. The club came into existence on 24th October 1857. With over 164 years of history to itself, the club has withstood all the hardships and overcame them all in due course of time.
1. Cambridge University A.F.C.(1856)
The club started as a local club under the infamous Cambridge University. The club completed its 150th anniversary way back in 2006 and was awarded a plaque by the FA for its amazing milestone.
Authorized by the Football Association, Cambridge University A.F.C. formation took place in 1856.
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