Football is not just about goals and glory; it’s a living and breathing history that stretches back over 150 years.
Before the days of multi-billion-pound TV deals, social media fame, and state-of-the-art stadiums, football was a humble sport played by men in heavy boots on muddy pitches.
It’s from these humble origins that the game we know today grew, and at the core of its evolution stand a handful of clubs from the beginning.
These clubs started it all, these teams that not only shaped the rules of the game but also helped spread football’s popularity across the world. They’ve survived wars, economic crises, and the rise of professional football, yet they still survive, representing a time when football was pure.
In this article, we’ll journey through time to uncover the 10 oldest football clubs in the world.
1. Sheffield FC
- Founded: 1857
- Notable Players: Charles Clegg, Thomas Sorby, Curtis Woodhouse
Notable Honors: 1x FA Amateur Cup Champions (1903-04)
2x NCEL Cup Champions (2000-01/2004-05) - Stadium Name: Home Of Football Ground
Officially recognized by FIFA as the oldest football club in the world, the club was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit in recognition of its contribution to football in 2007.
Despite its age and stature, the club currently competes in the eighth-tier Northern Premier League Division One East. While the club’s on-field achievements have been modest, its historical importance far outweighs any silverware.
2. Cambridge University AFC
- Founded: 1857
- Notable Players: Tinsley Lindley, Vaughan Lodge, Gordon Wright
- Notable Honors: N/A
- Stadium Name: Grange Road
Cambridge University AFC claims to be the oldest football club in the world, with some records suggesting it was formed as early as 1856. However, the official date of formation is recognized as 1857, tying it with Sheffield FC for the title of the oldest club.
It still competes in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions, and they play their home games at Grange Road.
Though the club doesn’t compete in the higher tiers of English football, its contribution to the early development of the sport cannot be overlooked. Cambridge’s early involvement in codifying the rules of football played a major role in shaping the game.
3. Lima CFC
- Founded: 1859
- Notable Players: N/A
- Notable Honors: 2x Peruvian Primera Champions (1912/1914)
- Stadium Name: Lima
Lima Cricket and Football Club is not just Peru’s oldest football club; it’s also one of the oldest in the world. Founded by English immigrants, the club is still active today, though it now plays in the local San Isidro District League.
While the club’s football team is no longer a force in Peruvian football, its legacy is undeniable. Lima CFC won two national titles in the early 20th century, solidifying its place in Peruvian football history.
As a multi-sports club, Lima CFC’s influence extends beyond football, but its role in the early development of the sport in South America is particularly significant.
4. Notts County
- Founded: 1862
- Notable Players: Les Bradd, Macaulay Longstaff, Brian Stubbs
- Notable Honors: 1x FA Cup Champions (1893-94)
1x National League Play-Off Champions (2023)
3x Second Division Champions (1896-97/1913-14/1922-23) - Stadium Name: Meadow Lane
The club has a rich history filled with drama, triumph, and heartache. While the club has seen its fair share of challenges, including recent financial struggles and relegation battles, it has always managed to bounce back.
The club’s home, Meadow Lane, sits just a stone’s throw away from Nottingham Forest, with whom they share a fierce local rivalry.
Notts County’s most recent win came in 2023 when they won the National League Play-Off, sealing their return to League Two. For a club that has been around for more than 160 years, they remain a beloved fixture in English football.
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5. Hallam FC
- Founded: 1860
- Notable Players: Harry Deacon, Tony Crane
- Notable Honors: 1x Youdan Cup Champions (1867)
1x Yorkshire League Champions (1960-61)
1x NCEL Division One Champions (2021-22) - Stadium Name: Sandygate
Though Hallam FC doesn’t have the world recognition of some clubs on this list, it has something no other team can claim—the oldest football ground in the world. Sandygate, Hallam’s home since 1860, has hosted matches for over 160 years.
The club also won the first recorded football cup competition, the Youdan Cup, in 1867.
Today, the club plays in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, but the rich heritage of the club is still celebrated by its fans.
7. Stoke City FC
- Founded: 1863
- Notable Players: Ryan Shawcross, Gordon Banks, Sir Stanley Matthews
- Notable Honors: 1x League Cup Champions (1971-72)
2x Second Division/Championship Winners (1932-33/1962-63)
2x Football League Trophy Winners (1991-92/1999-00) - Stadium Name: bet365 Stadium
Initially known as Stoke Ramblers has been part of the footballing circle since 1863. Although not the oldest professional club, they are one of the founding members of the Football League.
Over the years, Stoke has established itself as a resilient team, surviving the highs and lows of the English football pyramid.
One of the most prominent figures to have worn the Stoke shirt is Sir Stanley Matthews, a legendary winger widely regarded as one of the greatest English footballers of all time.
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8. Royal Engineers Association FC
- Founded: 1863
- Notable Players: Horace Barnet, Bruce Russell, Herbert Rawson
- Notable Honors: 1x FA Cup Winners (1875)
1x FA Amateur Cup Winners (1908) - Stadium Name: Number One Ground
Often known as the “Sappers,” is another club that carved its place in early football history. The team represents the Corps of Royal Engineers from the British Army.
In the early days of football, the Royal Engineers were innovators, especially in terms of tactical development—introducing a passing style that contrasted with the more rudimentary dribbling of their competitors.
Their crowning achievement came in 1875 when they won the FA Cup, making them one of the early powerhouses of the game.
While the team now competes at a much more modest level, their impact on football’s early development is still celebrated by historians of the game.
9. Civil Service FC
- Founded: 1863
- Notable Players: Albert Gilbert, Jimmy McGree, William Heap Bailey
- Notable Honors: 1x London Senior Cup Winners (1901)
2x Middlesex Senior Cup Winners (1908/1913) - Stadium Name: Kings House Sports Ground
Civil Service FC may not be a household name today, but it holds an irreplaceable spot in football history. The club is the last surviving club from the 11 founding members of the English Football Association. While the club has spent much of its existence in amateur leagues, its legacy remains monumental.
Located in London’s Chiswick area, the club continues to play in the Southern Amateur Football League. Though the club’s trophy cabinet may not be overflowing, its influence on shaping the game as we know it today is unquestionable.
10. Wrexham FC
- Founded: 1864
- Notable Players: Paul Mullin, Alf Jones, Arfon Griffiths
- Notable Honors: 1x Third Division Champions (1977-78)
1x Football Trophy Winners (2004-05)
1x National League Champions (2022-23) - Stadium Name: Racecourse Ground
Wrexham FC is the oldest football club in Wales and holds a special place in the hearts of Welsh football fans. The club plays its home games at the Racecourse Ground, which holds the record of being the oldest active international football stadium in the world.
For decades, the club has been a local symbol, but its rise to global prominence came after Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2021. Thanks to the Disney+ series and consecutive promotions, the team is gearing up for life in League One.
Other Oldest Football Clubs In History
- Brigg Town FC– 1864
- Nottingham Forest FC – 1865
- Queen’s Park FC – 1867
- Sheffield Wednesday FC – 1867
- Fordingbridge Turks FC – 1868
- Kilmarnock FC – 1869
- Stranraer FC – 1870
- Marlow FC – 1870
- Abingdon Town FC – 1870
