Top 5 Oldest Football Clubs in England
Football - how many emotions this word can convey to a person, both now and decades ago. This sport has a very long and significant history. It all started back in the 19th century when twenty-two people kicked a pig's bladder in a field. But as time passed, football turned from ordinary entertainment into an organized sport. Although the game's development did not stand still all this time, in many aspects, this sport has changed a lot. However, the basics remained the same, with 22 players still kicking the ball on the field.
While football was gaining popularity as a competitive game and not just entertainment, professional teams began to appear in England. It all started in the 1850s and 1860s. Some of these teams still exist and are at the top of the oldest football clubs in England.
- Stoke City
- Notts County
- Hallam FC
- Cambridge University
- Sheffield FC
5. Stoke City
Stoke City FC is the fifth oldest football club in England. This is one of the biggest clubs in all of England. Stoke City plays in the English Football League (EFL Championship). This championship is the second-largest football division in England. The football club was founded in 1863 and then had the name Stoke Ramblers, and it was decided to rename it to Stoke Football Club only in 1878. The team received its final and current name in 1925 - Stoke City.
A professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent was one of 12 other football clubs that formed the English Football League in 1888. Despite their nearly 150-year history, the team has only managed to win a major trophy once in a while. After that, they became the League Cup, which the team received in 1972.
4. Notts County
Notts County English football club was founded in 1862 in Nottingham. During their long soccer history, the team has not been able to achieve high results and now plays in the fifth division of the English football league. In its history, Notts County has won bronze first-tier football league places twice, the most significant achievement in their long history. But it is also worth noting their most important achievement, which the team received in 1984 when Notts County won the FA Cup.
Notts County was founded before the Football Association was formed, so the club played a game they invented rather than classic football. Actually, "The Magpies" created modern soccer. From its foundation in 1862, footballers played at Nottingham Castle, and from 1883 settled at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
3. Hallam FC
Hallam FC currently plays in the Northern Counties East League Division One. The football club was founded in 1860 and is based in Crosspool, Sheffield. Hallam FC is presently at level 10 of the English football league system. The football club made history after winning the world's first football tournament, the Youdan Cup, in 1867.
But not only the team made the list of the oldest, the team's home stadium Sandygate Road is the oldest football field in the world and made it to the Guinness Book of Records.
2. Cambridge University
Cambridge University Football Club is rightfully one of the oldest teams in the world. In 2006, the Football Association awarded the team with a plaque. This award was in honour of the 150th anniversary. By this, the Football Association recognized the founding date of Cambridge University in 1856.
The football team represents the University of Cambridge. Currently, the club plays in the Midland 1A of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). Cambridge University is also the governing body for university sports in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
1. Sheffield FC
The first place is rightfully taken by Sheffield FC, whose founding year dates back to 1857. FIFA recognized that this particular club is the oldest football club in the world. However, Cambridge University Football Club still disputes this decision due to the fact that Sheffield did not accept the rules Football Association until 1878.
FIFA awarded Sheffield FC with the highest award in football. The club has received the FIFA Order of Merit award. This award is very rare. Only two teams worldwide have received it. It is given for a significant contribution to the development of football.
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On the FSCORE website, users can always find the latest information about English football, team and player statistics. The essential thing is the statistics on the site can date back to 1900, which will be very interesting to study football fans worldwide.
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