Football is an exhilarating and entertaining game full of cliches and obscure language, with a rich and longstanding history to boot.
While many clubs in English League Soccer have since fallen into dissolution, some of the oldest are still standing. Who is the oldest club?
Notts County FC
Notts County Football Club was established in 1862, making them one of the oldest professional association football clubs worldwide and predating even the Football Association by two years. Notts County are also founding members of the Football League and boast an impressive history competing in top flight competition; most recently under Neil Warnock they made history again when promoted from Conference.
Notts County have long had intense rivalries with city neighbour Nottingham Forest and county neighbor Mansfield Town in Nottinghamshire. Most recently in English football’s lower leagues, Notts County came within 90 minutes of regaining their Football League status in the National League play-off final but were defeated by Harrogate Town instead.
Ray Trew bought the club in February 2010, shortly after being issued winding-up petitions by HM Revenue and Customs due to late PAYE payments, and appointed Steve Cotterill as manager. Cotterill left in October 2010, shortly before finishing fifth in League Two, to be replaced by former Nottingham Forest player Craig Short who then took charge.
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Cray Wanderers
As well as fielding a first team in the Isthmian Premier League, Chislehurst Football Club provides support to 14 youth teams ranging in ages 6 to 23 and runs a community scheme with 16 local schools. Recently they were granted planning approval for a new ground, community facilities and affordable housing on Green Belt land at Flamingo Park in Chislehurst that they had been trying for 45 years!
Cray Wanderers was established in 1860 as St Mary Cray Football Club but in 1887 changed to Cray Wanderers as either an ode to its labourer founders or affectionate nickname given by fans. Since its foundation the club has achieved great success winning multiple league and cup titles as well as acting as feeder club for Woolwich Arsenal for some time.
The 2020-21 season was intended to be one of consolidation for Wands after finishing third in Ryman North Division, however due to Covid-19 pandemic they lost out to Walton Casuals in a play-off semi final and therefore lost out of Isthmian Premier Division play offs altogether.
Hallam FC
Hallam FC was established in 1860, and can boast the oldest football ground and club trophy in existence. Sandygate Ground serves as home for Hallam Football Club and Hallam Cricket Club and was even considered by Guinness Book of Records to be the world’s oldest stadium!
John Charles Shaw was also instrumental in shaping nationally accepted rules for playing football alongside Charles Alcock of London-based Football Association.
Hallam achieved remarkable success before the pyramid system. They earned promotion to the Yorkshire League’s premier division before remaining there for twenty years, winning Sheffield Senior Cup along the way and surprising five-time Amateur Cup holders Bishop Auckland before over 2,000 spectators at Sandygate in 1925.
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The Top 10 Oldest Football Clubs
Though many clubs have existed for some time, certain teams stand out with an illustrious legacy that has played a pivotal role in shaping football as we know it today. Many were founding members of football associations or leagues in their countries and helped to define its rules, regulations, and competitive structure; many have even won multiple top-flight league titles or FA Cups throughout their long histories.
Sheffield Wednesday FC was established in 1867 and boasts one of the longest histories in international football. As an affiliate member of the Football Association, Sheffield Wednesday has enjoyed much success over time, winning four top-flight league titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups during that timeframe.
Notts County FC, founded in 1862 before the Football Association existed, holds the distinction of being England’s oldest soccer club. Since its foundation, Notts County FC has come and gone within league systems and currently plays in England’s fifth tier league system.
