There has been much debate through the years as to who can claim to be the oldest club still in existence in English football. The Football Association and FIFA are also at odds over who is the oldest with each recognising a different club.
Here we look at the top five clubs that claim to be the oldest still in existence in English football.
Oldest Clubs Still in Existence in English Football
5. Notts County – 1862
The second oldest professional club in the world following new evidence that another was formed one year before them.
The original Magpies (Newcastle United were not formed until 1892) were formed in 1862. In 1888 they were one of the founding members of the Football Association finishing 11th in the first ever season. Their highest-ever league position was third in both 1891 and 1900. County played at several grounds until 1910 when they moved to their current home Meadow Lane.
The Magpies are multiple champions of the second, third and fourth tiers of English football and have also gained promotion from the National League. They also won the FA Cup once in their history in 1894 beating Bolton Wanderers 4-1.
In recent years, they suffered relegation from the football league in 2019 for the first time in their history but returned in 2023. A points total of 107 was not enough to secure automatic promotion; however, they still secured promotion via the playoffs.
4. Crystal Palace – 1861
According to new research, Crystal Palace are now the oldest league club still in existence, replacing Notts County. In 2022, the Eagles changed their club crest to reflect their new finding that they were actually formed in 1861. They would play in the first-ever FA Cup competition, reaching the semi-finals; however, soon after, they would disappear from historical records. In 1905, the professional Crystal Palace Football Club was formed.
Following the announcement of the new research, Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish said: “As a lifelong supporter of Crystal Palace, I was proud to learn that our history can be traced back to the Victorian cricketers of 1861 and the indisputable fact that the club played a central role in the very first FA meetings, which shaped the game we all love. It is fitting that we are recognising our unique history which began in 1861 in our famous crest.”
Palace have won the second (twice) and third tier (once) titles and are also multiple-time winners of the Championship playoffs.
Their highest-ever league position came in 1991 when they finished in third place in England’s top tier (now the Premier League).
The Eagles have featured twice in the FA Cup final but lost both times. The first in 1990 was against Manchester United. Following a 3-3 draw, the final went to a replay in which United won 1-0. In 2016 they again faced the Red Devils with the game once again going to extra time. However, United would once again lift the famous trophy thanks to a 110th-minute winner.
3. Hallam FC – 1860
In 1860 Hallam FC, based in South Yorkshire was born. Sandygate Road has been their home since their formation making it the oldest football ground in the World.
The Countrymen made history in 1867 by winning the world’s first football tournament the Youdan Cup. It preceded the now-famous FA Cup by several years. The trophy they was misplaced however and did not resurface until 1997.
As professionalism began to become more common as the 1800s wore on, Hallum decided to remain an amateur club and has remained so ever since. They have played in the Sheffield Association League, The Yorkshire League and the Northern Counties East League which are the ninth and 10th tiers of the English football pyramid. Despite this, they still have attendances for home games that exceed 1000.
2. Sheffield FC – 1857
According to their official website sheffieldfc.com, they are “The World’s First Football team”. They are the oldest not associated with a university or school and have been recognised by FIFA as the oldest club in the world.
Where university teams such as Cambridge FC had their own rules, Sheffield set out their own laws which became the foundation of today’s modern game. Their website states that the rule book was written in 1859 and is the first official set of rules and laws for the game of football defining the likes of fouls, corners and free kicks.
As professionalism became common within the game, Sheffield, like Hallum, remained amateur. It was Sheffield that suggested the creation of a cup competition for amateur clubs. Soon after the FA Amateur Cup was introduced, a competition they won in 1904.
Having played the majority of their history in the lower tiers of the English pyramid, the team nicknamed “The Club” won promotion to England’s eighth tier in 2007.
2007 was also their 150th anniversary. This was marked by a dinner attended by the then FIFA president Sepp Blatter and then games against Inter Milan and Ajax at Bramall Lane. The first game in which Inter won 5-2 was attended by guest of honour Pele who was introduced to the crowd before kickoff.
1. Cambridge University – 1856
Recognised by the FA as the oldest club still in existence. The Football Association awarded the club a plaque in 2006 in honour of its 150th anniversary thus giving Cambridge University FC official recognition as not only England’s oldest club but the world’s. In 2016 the National Football Museum also presented the club with an award to recognise them as the oldest in the world.
Cambridge currently play in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), the governing body for university sport in the United Kingdom.
