Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
Demonland

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Are we the oldest sporting club?

La Dee-vina Comedia
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

In an email last night, the club made the following statement:

image.png.f6e657c9a464ab1ebd12e64d23b2c4ca.png

But is this correct? I thought there had been discussion about this on Demonland previously where it was suggested that we might be the third-oldest still functioning sporting club with one of the English soccer clubs (Sheffield?) being the oldest.

I wouldn't expect the club to knowingly misrepresent the facts...but on the other hand, we know that everyone in the AFL can be economical with the truth when it suits.

Is the club correct?

  • Quote
    •  

    i remember someone (G.Lyon?) on the hawthorn game commentary saying we were the 2nd oldest and i thought, wrong. Oldest.

  • Quote
    •  
    8 minutes ago, Demonland said:

    According to the interest Sheffield FC was founded in 1857.

    There's some doubt about its continuous status from foundation until today.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    • Author
    1 hour ago, John Lord said:

    The Melbourne cricket club was formed in 1838 and the Melbourne football club in 1858

    So, just on this statement, doesn't this mean the Melbourne Cricket Club is 20 years older than the Melbourne Football Club? And surely the Marylebone Cricket Club is older still. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Author
    11 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

    i always thought it was oldest, continuous, professional, football club

    Perhaps the club meant to say "oldest football club" rather than "oldest sporting club"

  • Quote
    •  
    1 hour ago, Demonised said:

    There's some doubt about its continuous status from foundation until today.

    the English Football Association recognize it as the oldest club in the world. 

    Either way they play in the =8th level in England in the football pyramid (with Premier League being 1st)

  • Quote

    1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    Perhaps the club meant to say "oldest football club" rather than "oldest sporting club"

    definitely

  • Quote

    Oldest professional sports club, that’s what I’ve been rolling with

    Edited by Forest Demon

  • Quote
    • Author

    A quick google search tells me that the Marylebone Cricket Club was founded in 1787.

    I don't think we can claim to be the world's oldest sporting club.

    Oldest football club? Possibly

    Oldest professional sporting club? Possibly  

    Edited by La Dee-vina Comedia

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    On memory it is the oldest sporting club in the world to play at the highest level of its sport, continuously.  Other clubs mentioned have or no longer play at the highest level for their sport throughout their existence.  i.e cricket is now national teams. 

    Edited by Darkhorse72
    typo and extra info

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    A quick google search tells me that the Marylebone Cricket Club was founded in 1787.

    I don't think we can claim to be the world's oldest sporting club.

    Oldest football club? Possibly

    Oldest professional football club? Possibly  

    oldest professional football club ......playing at the top level.......otherwise sheffield is the oldest

    Edited by daisycutter

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    4 hours ago, Demonised said:

    There's some doubt about its continuous status from foundation until today.

    Correct.

     

  • Quote

    There  are some archery competitions that date back 500 years or so and still exist to this day.

    Surely there would be some archery clubs that are older than the game of Aussie Rules.

  • Quote
    2 hours ago, Darkhorse72 said:

    On memory it is the oldest sporting club in the world to play at the highest level of its sport, continuously.  Other clubs mentioned have or no longer play at the highest level for their sport throughout their existence.  i.e cricket is now national teams. 

    +1. Continuously at the highest level.

  • Quote

    Gees I hope we win on Sunday so I don't have to revisit this thread.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
    4 hours ago, daisycutter said:

    i always thought it was oldest, continuous, professional, football club

    This is the correct answer by Daisy.

    The questions is about the OLDEST continuous FOOTBALL club - which is the  mighty MFC. I think the Cats are second oldest

    The MCC is not the oldest sporting club, there are older cricket clubs in the UK.

    Sheffield United was formed in 1889.  There was probably an ealrier verison prior to united but again, not coninuous.

  • Quote

    39 minutes ago, JakovichScissorKick said:

    There  are some archery competitions that date back 500 years or so and still exist to this day.

    Surely there would be some archery clubs that are older than the game of Aussie Rules.

    yes, but its painful to kick arrows especially if you get the arrow drop right.

  • Quote

    Surely the word "professional" isn't part of our claim to fame. No way it was a professional club from its beginnings. 

  • Quote

    Is this a Monty Python skit?

    "Yes Dierdre apart from Sheffield , MCC and some bows and arrows we are..."

  • Quote
    • Haha 2
     
    2 minutes ago, Fanatique Demon said:

    Surely the word "professional" isn't part of our claim to fame. No way it was a professional club from its beginnings. 

    maybe it's a loose term to distinguish it from sporting clubs as part of a school or college (like where rugby originated)

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • CASEY: Richmond

      The winds finally returned to Casey Fields for the Demons’ third home game of the VFL season, and its impact was immediate. After two opening rounds played in uncharacteristically fine conditions, the Anzac Day clash brought back the familiar gusty conditions that have been a feature of the region at this time of the year.
      Forced to kick into the breeze first, the slow-starting Demons faced a tricky opening against an enthusiastic young Tigers outfit. Casey responded by turning the contest into a scramble, pressuring Richmond into errors and missed targets. The tactic proved crucial, keeping the game tight for three and a half quarters before the Demons pulled away with the autumn wind at their backs.

      • 2 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      It seemed as if the whole purpose of the Anzac Eve clash at the MCG between the Demons and the Tigers was building toward that single, unforgettable moment when Kozzie Pickett soared above Campbell Gray and all but fittingly etched his name onto the face of the 2026 Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes Medal. 

      • 1 reply
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: Richmond

      The Dees have gone 5-0 on their fortress at the MCG brushing aside Richmond by 54 points in a commanding performance on ANZAC Eve.

        • Haha
      • 269 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Richmond

      Andy is back and the Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday night at 8pm. Get your questions and comments in for the boys as they dissect a win on the big ANZAC Eve Stage over the Tigers at our Fortress at the G.

      • 19 replies
      Demonland

    • VOTES: Richmond

      Captain and reigning back to back Champion Max Gawn has healthy lead over Kozzy Pickett in the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Jack Steele, Harvey Langford & Tom Sparrow round out the Top 5. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

        • Thanks
      • 47 replies
      Demonland

    • GAMEDAY: Richmond

      It's Game Day on Friday night. ANZAC Eve. The big stage at the ‘G. The Demons return to the spotlight for one of our most significant nights on the football calendar, taking on the Tigers in a clash that always carries extra weight given the gravity of occasion of the commemoration of the ANZAC Spirit. Under the lights, in front of a packed house, this is where moments are made. Can the Dees rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage, or will Richmond spoil the night? All the build-up, discussion, and in-game reactions here. Go Dees.

        • Like
      • 637 replies
      Demonland
    View All

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.