| Clubname: | Highbury Union |
| Fullname: | Highbury Union Football Club |
| Nickname: | Union |
| Founded: | 1873 |
| Dissolved: | 1884? |
| Ground: | Christ Church Field, Highbury |
| Mgrtitle: | Secretary |
| Manager: | Henry Scruton |
| Pattern B1: | _lightbluehalf |
| Leftarm1: | 996600 |
| Body1: | 996600 |
| Rightarm1: | 00aef0 |
| Shorts1: | FFFFFF |
| Socks1: | 996600 |
Highbury Union F.C., more usually simply known as Union, was an English association football club from Islington.
The club was founded on 14 July 1873[1] as a club playing both rugby football and association codes. The club continued playing both codes until at least 1877, but by 1881 was solely an association club.[2]
Although claiming a foundation date of 1873, the club's first external association rules match seems to have taken place in October 1875, against Hornsey Rovers.[3] The club competed in the FA Cup in 1876–77, losing 5–0 at Rochester, and scratched its entry in 1877 when drawn to face the Royal Engineers.[4] The club also took part in 1881–82 and 1882–83, but lost in the first round both times; the first time 1–0 to Hotspur after having a goal disallowed for offside,[5] the second time 4–1 at the powerful Swifts side, the Union's goal being a consolation near the end from Poulton.[6]
The club seems to have ceased to exist before the 1884–85 season, with many of its players (including captain Frank Webster) joining Romford.[7]
The club's colours were originally dark blue jerseys with a red Maltese cross on a white ground, red cap, and blue stockings.[8] In 1877, these changed to chocolate and light blue,[9] with white knickers and brown socks.[10]
In 1882 the club changed again to scarlet and black.[11]
The club's first ground was Christ Church Field, near Highbury Station, and the club used the Alwyn Castle as a changing room.[12] By 1877 it was playing out of Victoria Park, using the Cassland Hotel for facilities.[13]