Express & Star

The 11 oldest West Midlands football clubs in chronological order

These are the oldest clubs in the West Midlands

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The West Midlands is home to some of England’s most famous football clubs.

Aston Villa are celebrating the club’s 150th anniversary this year - but are Villa the oldest club in the region?

We’ve taken a look to find out the oldest football clubs in the West Midlands and when they were formed.

Aston Villa fans make their way to Villa Park.
Aston Villa fans make their way to Villa Park.

1. Aston Villa

 Villa was founded in 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Handsworth.

 2. Birmingham City

 Founded as Small Heath Alliance in 1875 and from 1877 played their home games at Muntz Street.

 3. Stourbridge Football Club

 The club was founded in 1876 and was originally known as Stourbridge Standard. By the late 1880s it is known that they had changed its name to simply Stourbridge.

 4. Halesowen Town F.C

 The non-league club was believed to have been established around 1873, but recent research has suggested it was probably formed in 1877 under the name Halesowen Football Club.

Molineux Stadium at night - a view from the Express & Star offices in Mander House in Wolverhampton
Molineux Stadium at night - a view from the Express & Star offices in Mander House in Wolverhampton

5. Wolverhampton Wanderers

 Wolverhampton Wanderers' history dates back to 1877 as one of the oldest football clubs in England. The club was founded in 1877 as St. Luke's FC.

 6. West Bromwich Albion

 Disputed whether 1878 or 1879, any football in 1878 on an informal basis, club states 1878.

7. Coventry City

Coventry City formed as Singers F.C. in 1883 at an unknown date before adopting their current name in 1898.

8. Shrewsbury Town FC

Founded in 1886 on May 20, the professional association football clubs competes in League one.

WALSALL FC’S POUNDLAND BESCOT STADIUM FA WNL
WALSALL FC’S POUNDLAND BESCOT STADIUM FA WNL

9. Walsall

  Formed in 1888. Amalgamation of two older clubs as Walsall Town Swifts 

10. Dudley Town

The club is one of the oldest non-league teams in the Midlands region, having been established in 1888.

11. Redditch United

Founded in 1891, they were originally called Redditch and joined the Birmingham and District League in 1921.

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