The top 15 oldest EFL clubs (Ranked) | OneFootball

We ranked the 15 oldest clubs in the EFL according to the year they were formed.

It is fair to say that the EFL is home to some of English football's most historic and traditional clubs.

While the EFL itself was not actually formed until April 1888, many of its member clubs have been in existence significantly longer than that, underlining the football heritage that can be found in the Championship, League One and League Two.

Of course, supporters from across the EFL will be focused on current events on the pitch, but they will always fondly remember their club's past success and achievements, while also being keen to forget some of the darker days in their history.

As we approach the business end of the season, where more memories will be made in all three divisions, we ranked the top 15 oldest EFL clubs according to the year they were established.

15 Sunderland

Sunderland are believed to have been founded as Sunderland and District Teachers AFC in October 1879, but there have been suggestions that the club was not formally created until September 1880, and the following year, the doors were opened to those who were not school teachers.

The Black Cats have had plenty of high points during their rich and storied history, including winning six First Division titles and two FA Cups, but they have also had some incredibly low moments, such as the back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One in 2017 and 2018.

Doncaster Rovers were initially created in 1879, and while financial problems led to voluntary liquidation in 1914, a new club was quickly formed and accepted back into the Midland League.

The South Yorkshire outfit won their first major trophy when they lifted the EFL Trophy in 2007, and a year later, they returned to the Championship for the first time in over 50 years after beating Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley.

Unfortunately, their spell in the second tier lasted just four seasons, and they now ply their trade in League Two, but after suffering play-off heartbreak last term, they will be hoping to go one better and achieve automatic promotion this campaign.

Grimsby Town were initially formed as Grimsby Pelham in 1878, adopting the family name of a powerful landowner in the local area, but they changed to their current name just one year later.

The Mariners did enjoy plenty of success in their early years, most notably winning the Second Division title on two occasions in 1899 and 1934, but they have spent much of the past decade in either League Two or the National League.

12

Initially founded as West Bromwich Strollers in 1878, the club became known as West Bromwich Albion a year later.

The Baggies have had some memorable moments during their history, including winning the First Division title in 1920, as well as lifting the FA Cup five times and the League Cup on one occasion, but they have developed a reputation in recent years for bouncing between the Championship and the Premier League.

Crewe Alexandra were formed in 1877 as the football division of the Crewe Alexandra Cricket Club, and they initially played their games at a stadium close to the town's famous railway station, which helped them adopt their nickname.

While the Railwaymen have never lifted a league title, they did win the EFL Trophy in 2013, and after being beaten by Crawley Town in last season's play-off final at Wembley, they will be hoping to secure their return to League One this campaign.

10 Port Vale

It is widely believed that Port Vale were founded in 1876, but there have been claims that the club was actually formed three years later in 1879.

Despite the original club being liquidated in 1907, the Port Vale name lived on after a local side opted to change their name, but that is not the only time the Valiants have suffered financial issues, and they have twice entered administration in 2003 and 2012.

Thankfully for Vale supporters, the club is in much more stable hands now under owner Carol Shanahan, and they will be looking to get back into League One as soon as possible following last season's relegation.

Middlesbrough were founded in 1876, but their existence came under threat in 1986 amid severe financial problems, and with no solution in sight, the club was wound up and the gates to Ayresome Park were locked.

However, current owner Steve Gibson formed a consortium to save the club, and with just 10 minutes remaining until the deadline, he completed registration with the Football League, ensuring the club's future and his status as a local hero.

Boro have had plenty of memorable days in their recent history, such as winning the League Cup in 2004 and reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2006, and supporters will be keen to see the glory days return to the Riverside Stadium again soon.

8 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers were formed in November 1875, and they are one of the most historic clubs in English football.

Rovers have won three First Division or Premier League titles, six FA Cups and one League Cup, but recent times have not been quite as kind to the Lancashire outfit, and they are yet to make a return to the top flight since being relegated in 2012.

7 Birmingham City

Birmingham City were founded as Small Heath Alliance in 1875, and they later became known as Birmingham Football Club before adopting their current name in 1943.

The Blues have won four Second Division titles and two League Cups, the last of those coming in 2012, and after a turbulent decade under the ownership of BSHL, the takeover by Knighthead has breathed new life into the club, even if they did suffer relegation to League One during their first year in charge last season.

6 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers were formed as Christ Church FC in 1874 before switching to their current name three years later, but the four-time FA Cup winners were believed to be just hours away from liquidation in August 2019.

Thankfully for the Trotters, Football Ventures, a consortium led by Sharon Brittan, did eventually complete a last-minute takeover of the club, and after a steady rise over the past few years, they will now be looking to win promotion back to the Championship.

Reading were founded on Christmas Day in 1871, and they have experienced plenty of success over the years, such as winning two Championship titles in 2006 and 2012, and they hold the record for the most points achieved in a second tier season with 106.

However, it has been an incredibly difficult few years for the Royals under the ownership of Dai Yongge, and with little sign of an imminent takeover, supporters are fearing for the future existence of their club.

4 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday were formed in 1867 as an offshoot of the Wednesday Cricket Club, and they have won four First Division titles, three FA Cups and one League Cup during their illustrious history.

However, the Owls have now been out of the Premier League for almost a quarter of a century since their relegation in 2000, and while they have come close to promotion to the top flight on a couple of occasions, they have been unable to seal their return to England's elite.

3 Wrexham

Wrexham were founded in October 1864 by members of the Wrexham Cricket Club, who were keen to play an alternative sport during the cold winter months.

The Red Dragons have been a club transformed since their takeover by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020, and after securing back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One in the past two seasons, they are currently competing for promotion to the Championship.

The exact formation date of Stoke City is disputed as their first recorded match came in 1868 under the name Stoke Ramblers, but the club's crest proudly displays 1863 as the year they were founded.

One of the most successful periods of the Potters' history came under Tony Pulis, with the Welshman guiding them to the FA Cup final in 2011 and the knockout stages of the Europa League the following year, but it has been an underwhelming spell for the club since relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

1 Notts County

Having been formed in 1862, Notts County hold the honour of being the world's oldest Football League club, and it is a title they reclaimed after winning promotion from the National League in 2023.

Dropping out of the EFL was one of the worst moments in the history of the one-time FA Cup winners, but the Magpies are a club on the rise again under the ownership of Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz, and they will be hoping to secure a return to League One this season.