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


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


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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Hide AdFulham 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)


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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Hide AdHistorical 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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Hide AdHistorical Significance: Originally founded as Millwall Rovers on the Isle of Dogs before moving to The Den in 1910.
7. Arsenal FC (founded 1886)


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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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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