Football is undoubtedly the most beloved sport worldwide. It’s a universal language that bridges gaps when words fall short. The United Kingdom, in particular, has been swept up by the allure of this beautiful game, having the oldest football clubs in the UK. With leagues like the English Premier League and the Championship attracting millions of fans globally to stadiums and screens, it’s only natural to wonder about the allure of the oldest football clubs in England. In this blog, we will explore the top 10 oldest football clubs in England.
Top 10 Oldest Football Clubs in England
While the game of football has evolved significantly, a handful of clubs in England have stood the test of time. The oldest English football clubs are not just pioneers of the beautiful game but living embodiments of people’s passion and pride. Today, we will discover the top 10 oldest football clubs in England, their nickname, division, and a few fun facts about them!
1. Nottingham Forest
Location: City Ground, Nottingham
Founded: 1865
Team Legends: Taiwo Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson, & Stuart Pearce
Iconic Moments: 1978 & 1979 European Cup winners
City/Suburb: Nottingham
Nickname: The Reds
Fun Fact: The club's red colour originated from the first players wanting to wear colours associated with Italian revolutionary Garibaldi!
Where are They Now? English Premier League, England football’s top division
Starting with a familiar face for many football enthusiasts around the world, the tenth-oldest football team in England happens to be the all-red-clad Nottingham Forest, lovingly called “Forest” or “Tricky Reds”. Nottingham Forest, recognised as one of the oldest English football clubs, has had a rich history filled with ups and downs. The team achieved remarkable success by winning the European Cup in 1978 and 1979, triumphing over Swedish champions Malmo and German giants Hamburg.
Despite these victories, the club faced a challenging period, notably absent from the English top flight for 23 years during the Premier League era. However, in recent times, Nottingham Forest, the oldest football club in England, has displayed positive signs of stability and consistency, marking a potential resurgence.
2. Hertfordshire Rangers FC
Location: Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire
Founded: 1865
Team Legends: Robert Parker & Francis Sparks
Iconic Moments: Reached third round of the FA Cup in 1880-81. Surprisingly, the club only showed up with ten players for the game and understandably lost 3-0.
City/Suburb: Hertfordshire
Fun Fact: Despite being founded in 1865, Hertfordshire Rangers opted out of professional leagues and continues to play in the Southern League Division One Central.
Where are They Now? Dissolved in 1882
A story that doesn’t quite have the happy ending like Nottingham Forest is that of Hertfordshire Rangers. One of the oldest football clubs in England, Hertfordshire Rangers were formed in 1865 and joined the English Football Association in 1866. Herts Rangers often depended on the players it got from Cambridge University, which didn’t have a recognised football team at the time. The club was not doomed to oblivion in the lower leagues, as they had multiple FA Cup runs too. Hertfordshire Rangers FC was dissolved in 1882 after they failed to replace the players who had either left them for other clubs or the students who moved elsewhere for their studies.
3. Harrow Chequers FC
Location: Kennington Oval, Surrey
Founded: 1865
Team Legends: Morton Betts
Iconic Moments: Morton Betts renamed himself “AH Chequer,” essentially “A Harrow Chequer,” to honour his former team and went on to win the FA Cup with his new team, Wanderers FC, in 1972.
City/Suburb: Harrow
Fun Fact: Harrow Chequers FC is believed to be one of the oldest clubs to have competed in the FA Cup, participating in the inaugural tournament in 1871-72.
Where are They Now? Renamed to “Old Harrovians” and playing in the non-league Arthurian League.
The Harrow Chequers Football Club, later known as the "Old Harrovians," is a significant part of football history as one of the oldest football clubs in England. They are celebrated for scoring the inaugural goal in the first FA Cup Final in 1872, thereby securing their legacy in the sport's history books. The club's journey extended to the first-ever FA Cup semi-final, where they notably withdrew from the match against Wanderers FC. The decision not to compete in the semifinal adds a layer of intrigue to their story, leaving football enthusiasts with a historical moment to ponder. This oldest football team in England has involvement in the early years of competitive football, including multiple appearances in the FA Cup. This underscores its pioneering role and lasting impact on the sport's evolution during the late 19th century.
4. Wrexham AFC
Location: The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Founded: 1864
Team Legends: Paul Mullin, Ben Tozer, & Ian Rush
Iconic Moments: Reached FA Cup third round and took Premier League side Sheffield United to a replay after a thrilling 3-3 draw, which they lost. Amassed 111 points to reach the EFL League Two, the highest amount of points any team in the top 5 English divisions has ever collected.
City/Suburb: Wrexham
Nickname: The Dragons
Fun Fact: Wrexham holds the record for the most FA Cup appearances by a non-league team (28).
Where are They Now? EFL League Two, English fourth division
As we list down the top 10 oldest football clubs in England, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to mention Ryan Reynolds, darling AFC Wrexham, based in Wales! Situated in Wales and currently co-owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElheney, Wrexham holds a significant place in football history as one of the oldest football clubs in England. Over the years, they have played in multiple leagues, including the English Football League and the Welsh Premier League. This oldest British football club has won notable trophies, such as the Welsh Cup, the FA Trophy, and the Football League Trophy. In April of this year, it achieved a notable feat by rejoining the EFL League Two after a 15-year absence from league football.
5. Brigg Town
Location: The Hawthorns, Brigg
Founded: 1864
Team Legends: Andy Taylor, David Mail, & Andy Pettinger
Iconic Moments: 8-time winners of the Lincolnshire League
City/Suburb: Brigg
Nickname: Zebras
Fun Fact: Brigg Town is the oldest football club in Lincolnshire and the only remaining founder member of the Lincolnshire Football Association.
Where are They Now? Northern Counties East League Division One, a semi-professional league
Brigg Town, one the oldest football clubs in England, has notably competed in the Northern and Southern Premier League, marking its presence in the seventh and eighth tiers of the English football hierarchy. Established in 1864, Brigg Town stands as a resilient and enduring club, showcasing its continuous relevance. Despite residing in the lower tiers, this oldest English football club in the UK has maintained its viability and even ventured into prestigious competitions like the FA Cup in recent times. This historic participation in the FA Cup reflects the club's commitment to testing its mettle against diverse opponents.
This oldest British club has witnessed several wins, including the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy and reaching the FA Vase finals in the 1995-1996 season. Brigg Town's enduring legacy in English football is a testament to its resilience and dedication to the sport, solidifying its place as a respected institution within the football community.
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6. Royal Engineers AFC
Location: Number One Ground, Chatham
Founded: 1863
Team Legends: Henry Renny-Tailyour
Iconic Moments: They won the 1875 FA Cup final after Henry Renny-Tailyour scored a 1-0 win for the Engineers.
Nickname: The Sappers
Fun Fact: The Royal Engineers AFC is the oldest active football club outside of the UK mainland, having played matches around the world throughout their history.
Where are They Now? Army Football Association, amateur league
Next on our list of the top 10 oldest football clubs in England is the Royal Engineers AFC! Founded in 1863 in Chatham, Kent, Royal Engineers AFC was the oldest English football club to reach the FA Cup final. The team eventually reached two more finals, losing twice in total and winning one in 1875. In contention for being the oldest UK football club, Royal Engineers AFC discontinued their participation in the League divisions in 1882-83 but continued playing amateur football.
7. Stoke City FC
Location: bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
Founded: 1863
Team Legends: Ryan Shawcross, Steven N'zonzi, Jack Butland, & Peter Crouch
Iconic Moments: Reached the FA Cup final in the 2010/11 season by beating Bolton 5-0 in the semifinals and eventually losing to Manchester City.
City/Suburb: Stoke-on-Trent
Nickname: The Potters
Fun Fact: Stoke City holds the record for the most points (107) in a single season of the English second division (now Championship).
Where are They Now? The Championship, English second division
Stoke City stands as one of England’s oldest football clubs, tracing its roots back to its establishment as Stoke Ramblers. In the contemporary landscape of the Premier League, Stoke City has garnered admiration for its remarkable prowess, earning a reputation as one of the league's most formidable contenders. This oldest British football club in England is synonymous with the inquiry, "Can a player excel on a chilly, wet night in Stoke?" encapsulating the challenging ambience of competing against Stoke City. Notable for its fluctuation between the second and first divisions, it is equally recognised for its distinctive long-ball football approach, contributing to its distinctive identity in the football realm.
8. Barnes FC
Location: Barnes, London
Founded: 1982
Team Legends: Porfirio Delgado, Alex Bloomer, & Nathan Battisti
Iconic Moments: Despite poor upkeep of the club’s history, Barnes FC has now been re-established by its supporters!
City/Suburb: Barnes
Fun Fact: While no longer a functioning club, Barnes FC holds the distinction of being the first-ever winner of the FA Cup, defeating Wanderers 1-0 in the 1872 final.
Where are They Now? Amateur non-league football
Barnes FC, a founding member of the English Football Association and one of the oldest English football clubs rooted in London, has a history shrouded in limited documentation, making it challenging to pinpoint its dissolution date and historical match count. In 2021, the grandchildren of former chairmen, alongside local enthusiasts, successfully fundraised to revive this historic club. Presently, Barnes FC enjoys substantial support from local sponsors and fans, guided by Ranko Davidov as the chairman and Daniel Da Silva as the manager, adding a contemporary touch to this venerable English football institution. The efforts to resurrect this oldest football club in the UK underscore the enduring significance and community spirit associated with preserving the heritage of one of the world's oldest football clubs.
Oldest Football Clubs in England
| Football Club | Founded in | Team Legends |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | 1865 | Taiwo Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson, & Stuart Pearce |
| Hertfordshire Rangers FC | 1865 | Robert Parker & Francis Sparks |
| Harrow Chequers FC | 1865 | Morton Betts |
| Wrexham AFC | 1864 | Paul Mullin, Ben Tozer, & Ian Rush |
| Brigg Town | 1864 | Andy Taylor, David Mail, & Andy Pettinger |
| Royal Engineers AFC | 1863 | Henry Renny-Tailyour |
| Stoke City FC | 1863 | Ryan Shawcross, Steven N'zonzi, Jack Butland, & Peter Crouch |
| Barnes FC | 1982 | Porfirio Delgado, Alex Bloomer, & Nathan Battisti |
| Notts County | 1862 | Macaulay Langstaff, Dan Crowley, & Ben Davies |
| Sheffield FC | 1855 | Samuel Ashworth, David Faulkner, & Matthew Lowton |
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9. Notts County
Location: Meadow Lane, Nottingham Forest
Founded: 1862
Team Legends: Macaulay Langstaff, Dan Crowley, & Ben Davies
Iconic Moments: Notts County won the 1893-94 FA Cup after thrashing the favourites Bolton Wanderers 4-1. James Logan, the Notts County striker, scored a hat trick to carry his team to victory.
City/Suburb: Nottingham
Nickname: The Magpies
Fun Fact: Notts County isn't just one of the oldest football clubs in the world; it's also the oldest professional football league club in the world!
Where are They Now? EFL League Two, England football fourth division
Another well-known name in this list of the top 10 oldest football clubs in England, Notts County, is the second Nottingham club in the countdown. If you ask someone in England, “Which is the oldest football club in the UK?” They would probably mention Notts County, and rightfully so. The club has played in many leagues, such as the English Football League, the National League, and the Conference North. Talking about its wins, the club has won the Football League Third Division twice, the Football League Fourth Division twice, and the Anglo-Italian Cup once. The oldest football club in England has been through many ups and downs, including a possible dissolution in 2003!
10. Sheffield FC
Location: Tuffnells Home of Football Ground, Derbyshire
Founded: 1855
Team Legends: Samuel Ashworth, David Faulkner, & Matthew Lowton
Iconic Moments: Sheffield FC played Hallam FC in 1860, a clash of the oldest clubs in the world!
City/Suburb: Sheffield
Nickname: The Club
Fun Fact: Sheffield FC isn't just another historic club. It claims to be the oldest existing football club in the world.
Where are They Now? Northern Premier League Division One
The oldest football club in England and the world, Sheffield FC began as an organised “kick-about” session for the Sheffield Cricket Club. It was then made an official club by two of the team’s members. As one of England’s oldest football clubs, Sheffield FC used to play by their own rules and were so adamant about it that they proposed various revisions to the Football Association regularly since it preceded the foundation of the FA. Once the English FA established a set system for the teams to face off against each other, Sheffield FC began to struggle against some of the powerhouses, such as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest and eventually slid down the divisions.
That concludes our list of the top 10 oldest football clubs in England. Football, steeped in traditions and a robust culture of camaraderie, perseveres through time. Its enduring appeal lies in a history woven with sportsmanship. Whether witnessing a live match or tuning in on television, exploring the origins of these clubs adds an intriguing layer to the experience. So, the next time you engage with a football game, consider delving into its roots for a deeper understanding of the sport's rich heritage and the timeless spirit that keeps it alive today. While you explore the oldest football clubs in England, you can also discover the best stadiums in the UK or Spain's top football clubs and immerse yourself in the rich history and iconic venues.
That concludes our list of the top 10 oldest football clubs in England. Football, steeped in traditions and a robust culture of camaraderie, perseveres through time. Its enduring appeal lies in a history woven with sportsmanship. Whether witnessing a live match or tuning in on television, exploring the origins of these clubs adds an intriguing layer to the experience. So, the next time you engage with a football game, consider delving into its roots for a deeper understanding of the sport's rich heritage and the timeless spirit that keeps it alive today. While you explore the oldest football clubs in England, you can also discover the best stadiums in the UK or Spain's top football clubs and immerse yourself in the rich history and iconic venues.
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