Oldest Football (Soccer) Anthem

Subject: Oldest Football (Soccer) Anthem
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 24 Oct 21 - 03:42 AM

In yesterday's Guardian, Ian Jack, in an article about Newcastle United wrote:

"No other club in England has an anthem as old as the Blaydon Races – it was first performed in a Newcastle music hall in 1862"

Can anyone suggest an older candidate?

I would have thought that Everton might stake a claim with "Johnny Todd".

Or perhaps Wolves; do they still sing "The Happy Wanderer", a mediaeval German folk song?

Harry

Link to original article:

The Saudis may own Newcastle United, but it will always be an odd relationship

Subject: RE: Oldest Football (Soccer) Anthem
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Oct 21 - 04:20 AM

Our local team Norwich City FC's song 'On The Ball City' is acknowledged as the oldest, dating back to the 1890s.
My father was from North Shields and when I was up there visiting my grandparents, they taught me to sing Blaydon Races (I was only four!)
Grandad would take me down to the pub, sit me on the bar and I sang my little heart out. All the men roared out the chorus, and gave me a tiny sip of Newcastle Brown ale. No women in the pub, but several whippet dogs. Air thick with smoke. Early 1950s. Happy memories!
But Norfolk is my best love now. "Hurrah, we've scored a goal!" (pronounced gool!)
But we lost to Chelsea yesterday 0-7. Gulp!

Subject: RE: Oldest Football (Soccer) Anthem
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 24 Oct 21 - 05:49 AM

The Watchet(Somerset) football club anthem was the Cadgwith anthem, probably to do with being known as "the robbers".
This raises the possibility that the song is older than the club.

Robin