According to the FA and FIFA, Sheffield Football Club (Sheffield FC) is the oldest football club in the world. TheSheffield Rules, which were developed in 1857 by Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest, became the first set of official rules for the game of football. Even the FA's rules were impacted by theIn 1878, the club officially followed the FA's rules. This group completely transformed the game and its global influence. Sheffield FC and Hallam United play a friendly match that may be the oldest football match in the world. Sheffield FC was only the second team in history to be granted the FIFA Order of Merit, following Real Madrid, in 2004. The club was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2007.Sheffield joined the FA in 1863 but remained to play under its own set of regulations.

In 1878, the club officially followed the FA's rules. This group completely transformed the game and its global influence. 

Sheffield F.C. is the oldest surviving independent football club in the world. The oldest club is not affiliated with a school, hospital, or university.

Sheffield F.C. did not embrace association football officially until 1877.