5 Oldest Football Clubs in Europe | History & Founding Years

Football has an extensive and deep-rooted past in Europe. The formation of clubs by workers, students, and local communities took place long before the establishment of modern stadiums, TV contracts, and global stars.

Most of these clubs continue to exist in the present-day scenario. The history of football in Europe is gradually revealed to you once you get to know the oldest football clubs and the process of its evolution into the modern-day game that you are watching now.

This article brings out the antiquated clubs in an easy-to-understand manner. You will get to know their birth dates, origins, and importance.

Oldest Football Clubs in Europe (Quick Overview)

Club Name	Country	Founded	Still Active
Sheffield FC	England	1857	Yes
Notts County	England	1862	Yes
Stoke City	England	1863	Yes
Wrexham AFC	Wales	1864	Yes
Brøndby IF (club roots)	Denmark	1866	Yes
Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (KB)	Denmark	1876	Merged

1. Sheffield FC (Founded 1857)

Sheffield FC is generally acknowledged as the oldest football club in Europe and even in the whole world. It was founded in England in 1857. The official rules of football did not exist at that time. Sheffield FC contributed to the formation of the “Sheffield Rules”, which eventually became the basis of football laws all over the world.

Sheffield FC is actively playing football even if it is not at the top level. They may not be present in major leagues but their historical significance is unparalleled. When one mentions the history of football, Sheffield FC is always the first club to come to mind.

2. Notts County (Founded 1862)

Notts County is among the oldest professional football clubs in Europe. The club, established in 1862 was very instrumental in the development of English football. Notts County was also a founding member of the English Football League.

The team is famous for its black and white uniform, which was also a source of inspiration to Juventus in designing their kits. Although Notts County has had its ups and downs, it is still playing today. This is what makes the club one of the most significant survivors in football history.

3. Stoke City (Founded 1863)

Stoke City was established in 1863 and is one of the oldest clubs that continues to play professional football. The club was originally made up of workers from the railways and this was a common practice back then.

The club was also a founding member of the Football League. The years passed and the club was labeled as physical play. Stoke City, while being relegated and promoted, remains with the longest history and thus does not drop out of the list of the oldest football clubs in Europe.

4. Wrexham AFC (Founded 1864)

Wrexham AFC, founded in 1864, is the oldest football club in Wales. The club has gained global attention in recent years, but its history goes back more than 150 years.

Wrexham played a key role in Welsh football and regularly competed in English leagues. The club’s long survival shows how deeply football is connected to local communities. When you watch Wrexham today, you are watching a club with deep roots in football history.

Oldest Football Clubs by Country

Country	Oldest Club	Founded
England	Sheffield FC	1857
Wales	Wrexham AFC	1864
Scotland	Queen’s Park FC	1867
Denmark	Kjøbenhavns Boldklub	1876
Spain	Recreativo de Huelva	1889
Italy	Genoa CFC	1893

5. Queen’s Park FC (Founded 1867)

Queen’s Park FC is the club that has the longest history of all in Scotland. By the year 1867, the club was already playing a very important part in the evolution of the passing game and the grooved style, which was based on team play rather than individual talent and muscle.

Besides that, Queen’s Park was at the forefront of the development of organized competitions in Scotland. Although the club is no longer a power in Scottish football today, its legacy on the largely pacifying football style is still acknowledged.

Why These Old Clubs Still Matter

Among the oldest football clubs in Europe, the ones that survived are the ones that mattered most as they were the ones who first built the foundation of the modern game. They helped create rules, leagues, and traditions. Without them, football would not be what you watch today.

These clubs also show how football started as a local activity before becoming a global sport. Their survival proves that football is more than trophies. It is about identity, community, and tradition.

Challenges Faced by Old Football Clubs

History has not been kind to many old clubs, and they are struggling to survive. Football has become expensive and the small historic clubs just cannot match the financial power of the modern giants. Some clubs have merged, while some have gone down a league.

However, the history of the club still keeps it alive and kicking as far as football goes. Spectators, historians, and football organizations show respect and exhibit their support for the club’s role in the history of the game.

Final Thoughts

When one talks about the oldest football clubs in Europe, he is more or less talking about the birth of the game itself. Sheffield FC, Notts County, and Wrexham are not only clubs. They are angels of the past still alive today.

Even if they are not winning major trophies today, their legacy remains strong. The best and most interesting part of being a football fan is knowing that these clubs help you understand the origins of the game and the reasons why it means so much to millions across the globe.

                                               

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