Football thumb|right|Brian Clough in April 1980 Notts County F.C. is the world's oldest professional football club, with Nottingham Forest F.C. being the oldest football league side after Notts County's relegation to the National League in 2019. Sam Weller Widdowson brought in shin pads in 1874. The first referee's whistle was at Nottingham in 1872.
Football thumb|right|Brian Clough in April 1980 Notts County F.C. is the world's oldest professional football club, with Nottingham Forest F.C. being the oldest football league side after Notts County's relegation to the National League in 2019 Sam Weller Widdowson brought in shin pads in 1874. The first referee's whistle was at Notting.ham in 1872.