London's oldest football clubs and when they were founded - including Fulham FC, Cray Wanderers, and Spurs

21st January 1939:  Fulham play before their biggest inter war support of 69,987 fans as they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in an FA Cup tie. 21st January 1939:  Fulham play before their biggest inter war support of 69,987 fans as they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in an FA Cup tie.
21st January 1939: Fulham play before their biggest inter war support of 69,987 fans as they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in an FA Cup tie. | Getty Images
London is home to some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and some of the oldest clubs in the country

London has a rich football history, with several clubs dating back to the 19th century. While many modern fans associate the capital with Premier League giants like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, the city's footballing roots run much deeper. Here’s a closer look at some of the oldest football clubs in London and their historical significance.

(Ok, all three of the clubs we mentioned above are among the top 10 oldest football clubs in the capital!)

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1. Cray Wanderers (founded 1860) – The oldest club in London

Current League: Isthmian League South East Division (Non-League)

Location: Bromley, South East London

Nickname: The Wands

Stadium: Flamingo Park, Chislehurst

Cray Wanderers is the oldest football club in London and the second-oldest in England, only behind Sheffield FC (1857). The club was formed in 1860 in the St Mary Cray area of Bromley, initially as a team for local railway workers who helped build infrastructure in the area.

2. Fulham FC (founded 1879) – The oldest professional club in London

2nd November 1935:  Fulham's centre-forward, Perry, is happy to find himself in the Sheffield goal with the ball after scoring Fulham's first goal, during a match against Sheffield United at Craven Cottage.2nd November 1935:  Fulham's centre-forward, Perry, is happy to find himself in the Sheffield goal with the ball after scoring Fulham's first goal, during a match against Sheffield United at Craven Cottage.
2nd November 1935: Fulham's centre-forward, Perry, is happy to find himself in the Sheffield goal with the ball after scoring Fulham's first goal, during a match against Sheffield United at Craven Cottage. | Getty Images

Current League: Premier League

Location: Fulham, West London

Nickname: The Cottagers

Stadium: Craven Cottage, Fulham - one of the most historic stadiums in England, overlooking the River Thames.

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Fulham FC is the oldest professional football club in London, founded in 1879 as Fulham St Andrew's Church Sunday School FC. The club was formed by worshippers at St Andrew's Church in West Kensington before officially adopting the name Fulham FC in 1888.

3. Leyton Orient (founded 1881)

Current League: League One

Location: East London

Nickname: The O’s

Stadium: Brisbane Road - A traditional East London football ground, known for its intimate atmosphere.

Historical Significance: Founded as Glyn Cricket Club, later Orient FC, and eventually Leyton Orient in 1987. The club was originally linked to the Orient Shipping Line.

4. Tottenham Hotspur (founded 1882)

27th July 1934:  Workmen repairing the 'Hotspur' on the old stand at Tottenham Hotspur FC ground. In the background a new stand is being built.27th July 1934:  Workmen repairing the 'Hotspur' on the old stand at Tottenham Hotspur FC ground. In the background a new stand is being built.
27th July 1934: Workmen repairing the 'Hotspur' on the old stand at Tottenham Hotspur FC ground. In the background a new stand is being built. | Getty Images

Current League: Premier League

Location: North London

Nickname: Spurs

Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - opened in 2019, it’s one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world.

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Historical Significance: Founded by schoolboys from a Bible class, Spurs became the first and only non-league team to win the FA Cup (1901).

5. Queens Park Rangers (founded 1882)

Current League: Championship

Location: West London

Nickname: QPR

Stadium: Loftus Road - one of the smallest stadiums in the Championship but known for its close, tight-knit atmosphere.

Historical Significance: Formed from a merger of Christchurch Rangers and St Jude’s and became one of London’s leading clubs in the 20th century.

6. Millwall FC (founded 1885)

Current League: Championship

Location: South London

Nickname: The Lions

Stadium: The Den - famous for its passionate home crowd and intense atmosphere.

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Historical Significance: Originally founded as Millwall Rovers on the Isle of Dogs before moving to The Den in 1910.

7. Arsenal FC (founded 1886)

Arsenal versus Sheffield at Highbury. Photograph. 14.09.1935.Arsenal versus Sheffield at Highbury. Photograph. 14.09.1935.
Arsenal versus Sheffield at Highbury. Photograph. 14.09.1935. | Getty Images

Current League: Premier League

Location: North London

Nickname: The Gunners

Stadium: Emirates Stadium - a modern stadium that replaced the historic Highbury in 2006.

Historical Significance: Originally formed as Dial Square by workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. Moved to North London in 1913 and became one of England’s most successful clubs.

8. Barnet FC (founded 1888)

Current League: National League

Location: North London

Nickname: The Bees

Stadium: The Hive London near Edgeware

Historical Significance: One of the longest-standing non-league clubs in London, known for its rich amateur history.

9. West Ham United (founded 1895)

Current League: Premier League

Location: East London

Nickname: The Hammers

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London Stadium - originally built for the 2012 Olympics before being converted into West Ham’s home ground.

Historical Significance: Originally known as Thames Ironworks FC, the club rebranded as West Ham United in 1900.

10. Chelsea FC (1905)

Current League: Premier League

Location: West London

Nickname: The Blues

Stadium: Stamford Bridge - built in 1877, Stamford Bridge was originally an athletics stadium before Chelsea FC was formed in 1905.

Historical Significance: Unlike most older clubs, Chelsea was founded to occupy Stamford Bridge, a stadium that existed before the club itself.

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