The 5 oldest football clubs in Europe

Here are the five oldest football clubs in the history of football across many years in Europe.

Football, as we know it today, owes much of its global popularity to the early pioneers who set the ball rolling, literally. In Europe, where the modern version of the sport truly began to take shape, some clubs have stood the test of time for over a century.

These teams were the blueprint for the professional structures, rivalries, and traditions we see in the game today.

Let’s take a look at five of the oldest football clubs in Europe whose legacies continue to echo through the sport.

What club is the oldest in Europe?

1. Sheffield F.C. (1857)

Sheffield F.C. isn’t just another football club, it’s the world’s oldest, founded in 1857 in England. What sets it apart? It was the first independent club open to everyone, not tied to a school or institution.

The club somewhat helped shape modern football, even though it didn’t fully adopt association rules until 1877. Today, Sheffield F.C. plays in the lower leagues, but its legacy lives on.

2. Cray Wanderers (1860)

Founded in 1860, Cray Wanderers Football Club holds the distinction of being London's oldest football club and one of the oldest in the world. The club originated from informal matches between railway workers and local villagers in St Mary Cray, Kent, during the construction of the Cray Valley railway viaduct. 

Throughout its history, Cray Wanderers has competed in various regional leagues, including the Kent League, London League, and Isthmian League. Notably, they were Kent League Champions in the 1901–02 season and have achieved multiple league titles and promotions over the years. As of the 2024–25 season, the club competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

3. Hallam F.C. (1860)

Founded in 1860, Hallam F.C. is officially the world’s second-oldest football club. Their first match, played against Sheffield F.C. on Boxing Day that same year, is recognised as the oldest inter-club fixture in football history. This landmark game took place at Sandygate Road in Sheffield, which still serves as the club’s home ground and holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest football stadium in the world. 

In 1867, Hallam made further history by winning the Youdan Cup, the first-ever organized football tournament, beating Norfolk F.C. in the final, four years before the FA Cup was established. Today, Hallam F.C. plays in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, the ninth tier of English football. While they may not be a household name in the modern game, their legacy as pioneers of the sport remains a lasting source of pride for their supporters and football historians alike.

4. Notts County (1862)

Founded in 1862, Notts County is widely regarded as the oldest professional football club in the world, predating even the Football Association. A founding member of the English Football League in 1888, the club inspired Juventus’ iconic black-and-white stripes in 1903.

Despite a strong early presence in the top flight and an FA Cup win in 1894, the Magpies have spent most of their history outside the top division and returned to the Football League in 2023 after four years in non-league football.

5. Stoke City FC (1863)

Stoke City are among the oldest clubs in world football, with a claimed founding date of 1863, although their first recorded match wasn’t until 1868, when they played as Stoke Ramblers. The club dropped "Ramblers" in 1878 and adopted the name Stoke City in 1925, following Stoke-on-Trent's elevation to city status.

They were founding members of the Football League in 1888, though they finished bottom in the first two seasons and were briefly excluded before returning. Since 1919, they've been ever-present in the professional game. 

These clubs have laid the foundation for a global sport that now unites billions. While some no longer compete at the top levels, their histories are preserved in every pass, goal, and cheer echoing through stadiums today. Whether you're a casual fan or a football historian, revisiting these roots reminds us just how far the game has come.

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