Ranked: The oldest football clubs in history

Football has become the biggest sport on the globe, but who are the pioneers who created the building blocks of what we see today? Based on a ranking of GiveMeSport, let's explore some of the oldest football clubs that shaped the sport.

Formed in 1870, Maidenhead United is considered one of the oldest professional football teams in history. Nicknamed 'The Magpies,' they established themselves as a solid team during the 19th century. The club plays at York Road, located in West London.

'The Magpies' were one of the first teams to participate in the inaugural FA Cup, reaching the quarter-finals three times in the 1870s. They currently compete in the National League.

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Kilmarnock is another historic football entity with deep roots in Scottish football. Founded in 1869, it is labeled the second-oldest professional club in Scotland.

Kilmarnock has won five major trophies in its history, claiming the Scottish First Division title in 1965, the Scottish Cup three times, and most recently, the Scottish League Cup in 2012. The club remains in top-flight football following its 2023 promotion.

This tremendous historic club was formed in 1867 as a branch of the Wednesday Cricket Club in Sheffield (England). The club turned professional in 1887 after losing 0-16 against Halliwell with just ten players.

Sheffield Wednesday won their first title in 1896, claiming their first FA Cup. 'The Owls' would win four English champion trophies, three FA Cups, and one English League Cup. They currently play in the EFL Championship.

Queen's Park FC was established in 1867, making it the oldest football club in Scotland. The team is the only Scottish football club to have played in the English FA Cup final, achieving this in 1884 and 1885.

For over a century, the club's home has been Hampden Park in Glasgow, which is also home to the Scottish national team. Queen's Park has won ten Scottish Cups, the third most behind Rangers and Celtic.

Nottingham Forest is one of the oldest football clubs in Europe. The team was founded in 1865 and joined the official football league in 1892 after being initially rejected in 1888.

Forest enjoyed a legendary stint under Brian Clough during the 1970s and 80s, winning the league title and League Cup in 1977-78, the European Cup in 1979 and 1980, and three more League Cup titles in 1979, 1989, and 1990.

Brigg Town FC is another ancient club in English football, established in 1864. 'The Zebras' never succeeded in the upper echelons of football, despite their long history.

After winning eight local league titles, they were moved to the Midland League and placed in the Premier Division. Since then, they have achieved two league titles and two FA vases. They currently play in the Northern Counties East League Division One.

Wrexham is another historic club, from Wales, which was founded in 1864, making it the country's oldest football club. Its stadium, Racecourse Ground, is one of the largest stadiums in Wales.

The 'Red Dragons' were taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds (pictured) and Rob McElhenney in 2021.

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Although Stoke City claim they were founded in 1863, their first official match as a football club was played in 1868. The English club changed its name multiple times until settling for Stoke City in 1925, according to GiveMeSport.

Nicknamed 'The Potters', they helped form the Football League in 1888 as a founding member. Stoke City has remained a professional club since 1919. The club's only major trophy came in 1972, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup final.

Notts County, founded in 1862, is another historic club. They were created before the Football Association itself, reports GiveMeSport. 'The Magpies' were founders of the Football League in 1888, but never managed to win it.

Despite their historic status, they have only spent four seasons in the top flight of English football since 1926, reports OneFootball.

The current Hallam football club started in 1887, but Hallam has played at its Sandygate home since its predecessor club's formation in 1860. In 1867, the original club won the world's first-ever football tournament, the Youdan Cup.

Their stadium, Sandygate, holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest football ground in the world, having been in use since 1804. To this day, the local football club continues to share the historic pitch with Hallam Cricket Club.

Cray Wanderers FC was founded in 1860 after railway workers began coordinating football matches near St Mary Cray, Bromley (London).

The club enjoyed a brief professional stint between 1895 and 1907, but has since been considered a semi-professional entity.

Sheffield FC was founded in 1857 and is the oldest football club in the world, according to FIFA. The club was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit in 2004.

Despite their legacy, they have struggled to climb out of the lower divisions of English football. They currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One East.

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