Nottingham Forest set to become Football League's oldest club if rivals go down

Notts County's proud boast about being the oldest club in the Football League is under threat – from city rivals Nottingham Forest .

County, founded in 1862, are fighting to escape relegation to the Conference for the first time in their history after slipping to the bottom of League Two.

The Meadow Lane club have grabbed a lifeline by taking four points from their last two games and are now only in the drop zone by virtue of Yeovil's better goal difference.

If Notts lose their battle then one of the original 12 founding members of the Football League in 1888 will be lost to the competition.

It was assumed Stoke City would then become the oldest club in the top four divisions.

The Potters' club crest carries the date 1863 – but historians have discovered evidence that suggests their formation was actually five years later.

Martin O'Neill has been manager of Forest since January and was a player for the club (2019 Getty Images)

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That means Forest – the two-time European champions formed in 1865 – will replace their rivals as the oldest club in the Premier League and Football League.

Football historian Mark Metcalf explained: “There is no evidence to suggest that Stoke City were formed in 1863.

“Official records show that a club known as Stoke Ramblers was formed in October 1868 when they played their first game.

“That club later merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club and eventually became Stoke City.

“That club then suffered financial problems in the early 20th century, went into liquidation, and resigned from the Football League.

“A year later, local businessmen, the clergy and supporters came together to purchase the old club's assets.

It was previously believed that Stoke are the second oldest team in the Football League (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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“Basically, it means that Nottingham Forest are the second-oldest club in the top four divisions and will become the oldest if Notts County are relegated.”

Metcalf, who is also an author, is a Sunderland supporter.

And he can confirm that the Black Cats are also a younger club than has been claimed officially.

He added: “It was believed that Sunderland were formed in October 1879 – the fans even have a chant about it.

“But working alongside Paul Days, we have discovered material that proves the club was formed on September 25, 1880.”