List of former English Football League clubs

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An action scene from a soccer match, played on a sun-soaked summer's day. Before an old-fashioned terraced stand packed to the rafters with fans, mostly clad in red, a penalty kick has just been taken by a player wearing a red shirt and white shorts. The ball is nestled in the bottom-right-hand corner of the net, with the goalkeeper helpless on the opposite side of his goal. Behind the penalty taker, a few players from each team can be seen on the edge of the penalty area.
Boston United were relegated from the English Football League after a 3–1 defeat to Wrexham on the final day of the 2006–07 season, ending a five-year spell in the League. Wrexham themselves would be relegated in the following season, ending an 87-year spell.

The English Football League comprises professional football clubs from England and Wales. It was established in 1888 as The Football League and in 1892 the Second Division was formed, with the existing division being renamed the First Division.[1] The First World War caused the League to be postponed from 1915 to 1919 and two seasons following its resumption a Third Division was introduced for one season, before being regionalised as North and South.[2] The 1958–59 season saw the introduction of a Fourth Division, with the top 12 clubs from the Third Division North and South from the previous season starting in a national Third Division, and the bottom 12 starting in the Fourth Division.[3] The introduction of the Premier League, which superseded the First Division as the top-flight of English football, caused a reorganisation of the English football league system in 1992, with the Fourth Division being disbanded.[4] The First, Second and Third Divisions were rebranded as the Championship, League One and League Two respectively ahead of the 2004–05 season, which came as part of a then-sponsorship with Coca-Cola.[4]

From the 1986–87 season, the club finishing bottom of the Football League's basement division was relegated to the Conference National (now National League), the highest level of non-League football,[5] depending on the ability of the Conference champions to meet FA requirements.[6] Before this, clubs would lose their League status by failing to gain re-election after finishing in the bottom four of the bottom division.[7] Since the 2002–03 season, the bottom two clubs of League Two face relegation to the National League.[8]

The list includes clubs that are current members of the Premier League, who lost their Football League status upon promotion, and those which lost their status by other means. This includes clubs which have become defunct, merged with another club or have been relegated to a lower position in the pyramid. Where a defunct club has been succeeded by a phoenix club, the new club is listed.

Clubs[]

The tables show the first and last seasons in which each club competed in the League. Some clubs' membership was intermittent between their first and last seasons. Clubs shown in bold were among the founder members of the League. As of 2021, the founder member clubs playing in the League are Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, Preston North End, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion. Preston have continuously been League members, whereas the others have played in the Premier League at one time or another.

Four former members of the old Football League Division One no longer play in the Football League (or Premier League): Bradford Park Avenue, Darwen, Glossop North End, and Notts County.

Current members of the Premier League (2021–22)[]

Club First League
season		 Last League
season		 Ref(s)
Arsenal 1893–94 1991–92 [9]
Aston Villa 1888–89 2018–19 [10]
Brentford 1920–21 2020–21 [11]
Brighton & Hove Albion 1920–21 2016–17 [12]
Burnley 1888–89 2015–16 [13]
Chelsea 1905–06 1991–92 [14]
Crystal Palace 1920–21 2012–13 [15]
Everton 1888–89 1991–92 [16]
Leeds United 1920–21 2019–20 [17]
Leicester City 1894–95 2013–14 [18]
Liverpool 1893–94 1991–92 [19]
Manchester City 1892–93 2001–02 [20]
Manchester United 1892–93 1991–92 [21]
Newcastle United 1893–94 2016–17 [22]
Norwich City 1920–21 2020–21 [23]
Southampton 1920–21 2011–12 [24]
Tottenham Hotspur 1908–09 1991–92 [25]
Watford 1920–21 2020–21 [26]
West Ham United 1919–20 2011–12 [27]
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1888–89 2017–18 [28]

Other former member clubs[]

Club First League
season		 Last League
season		 Reason Current status Ref(s)
Aberdare Athletic 1921–22 1926–27 Not re-elected Merged with Aberaman as Aberdare and Aberaman, later Aberaman Town and now Aberdare Town in the South Wales Alliance League Premier Division [29]
Accrington 1888–89 1892–93 Resigned Defunct [30]
Accrington Stanley 1921–22 1961–62 Resigned Defunct, but a new Accrington Stanley formed in 1968 and are playing in EFL League One [31]
Aldershot 1932–33 1991–92[a] Liquidated Defunct, Aldershot Town later formed and are playing in the National League [32]
Aldershot Town 2008–09 2012–13 Relegated Playing in the National League [33]
Ashington 1921–22 1928–29 Not re-elected Playing in the Northern League Division One [34]
Barnet 1991–92 2017–18 Relegated Playing in the National League [35]
Bootle 1892–93 1892–93 Resigned Defunct. A new club, formed as Langton in 1953, changed name to Bootle in 1973, and now playing in the Northern Premier League Division One West [36]
Boston United 2002–03 2006–07 Relegated Playing in the National League North [37]
Bradford Park Avenue 1908–09 1969–70 Not re-elected Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League North [38]
Burton Swifts 1892–93 1900–01 Merged with Burton Wanderers to form Burton United Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in EFL League One [39]
Burton United 1901–02 1906–07 Not re-elected Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in EFL League One [40]
Burton Wanderers 1894–95 1896–97 Not re-elected; later merged with Burton Swifts to form Burton United Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in EFL League One [41]
Bury 1894–95 2018–19 Expelled Expelled during the 2019–20 season without playing a match, due to inability to pay liabilities [42]
Chester City 1931–32 2008–09 Relegated Defunct, successor club Chester playing in the National League North [43]
Chesterfield 1899–1900 1908–09 Not re-elected Defunct. Revived club playing in the National League [44]
1921–22 2017–18 Relegated Playing in the National League
Dagenham & Redbridge 2007–08 2015–16 Relegated Playing in the National League [45]
Darlington 1921–22 2009–10 Relegated Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League North [46]
Darwen 1891–92 1898–99 Resigned Defunct, AFC Darwen later formed and are playing in the North West Counties League Division One North [47]
Durham City 1921–22 1927–28 Not re-elected Defunct. Revived club playing in the Northern League Division Two [48]
Gainsborough Trinity 1896–97 1911–12 Not re-elected Playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division [49]
Gateshead 1919–20 1959–60 Not re-elected Defunct. New Gateshead (National League North) and South Shields (Northern Premier League Premier Division) clubs formed [50]
Glossop 1898–99 1914–15 Not re-elected Playing in the Northern Premier League Division One West [51][52]
Grimsby Town 1892–93 2020–21 Relegated Playing in the National League [53]
Halifax Town 1921–22 2001–02 Relegated Defunct, FC Halifax Town later formed and are playing in the National League [54]
Hereford United 1972–73 2011–12 Relegated Defunct, successor club Hereford playing in the National League North [55]
Kidderminster Harriers 2000–01 2004–05 Relegated Playing in the National League North [56]
Leeds City 1905–06 1919–20[b] Expelled Defunct, successor club Leeds United playing in the Premier League [57]
Loughborough 1895–96 1899–1900 Not re-elected Defunct [58]
Macclesfield Town 1997–98 2019–20 Relegated Defunct, successor club Macclesfield playing in the North West Counties League Premier Division [59]
Maidstone United 1989–90 1991–92[c] Liquidated Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League South [61]
Merthyr Town 1920–21 1929–30 Not re-elected Defunct, revived version playing in Southern League Premier Division South [62]
Middlesbrough Ironopolis 1893–94 1893–94 Resigned Defunct [63]
Nelson 1921–22 1930–31 Not re-elected Playing in the North West Counties League Division One North [64]
New Brighton 1923–24 1950–51 Not re-elected Defunct [65]
New Brighton Tower 1898–99 1900–01 Liquidated Defunct [66]
Newport County 1920–21 1987–88 Relegated Defunct, revived version of the club playing in EFL League Two [67]
Northwich Victoria 1892–93 1893–94 Resigned Playing in the North West Counties League Premier Division [68]
Notts County 1888–89 2018–19 Relegated Playing in the National League [69]
Rotherham County 1919–20 1924–25 Merged with Rotherham Town (1899) to form Rotherham United Defunct, Rotherham United playing in the EFL League One [70]
Rotherham Town 1893–94 1895–96 Resigned Defunct, Rotherham United playing in the EFL League One [71]
Rushden & Diamonds 2001–02 2005–06 Relegated Defunct, AFC Rushden & Diamonds playing in the Southern League Premier Division Central [72][73]
Scarborough 1987–88 1998–99 Relegated Defunct, Scarborough Athletic later formed and are playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division [74]
Southend United 1920–21 2020–21 Relegated Playing in the National League [75]
Southport 1921–22 1977–78 Not re-elected Playing in the National League North [76]
Stalybridge Celtic 1921–22 1922–23 Resigned Playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division [77]
Stockport County 1900–01 2010–11 Relegated Playing in the National League [78]
Thames 1930–31 1931–32 Resigned Defunct [79]
Torquay United 1927–28 2013–14 Relegated Playing in the National League [80]
Wigan Borough 1921–22 1930–31 Resigned midway through season Defunct, successor club Wigan Athletic playing in EFL League One [81]
Wimbledon 1977–78 2003–04 Relocated and became Milton Keynes Dons. AFC Wimbledon formed as a protest club in 2002 Defunct. Both AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons are playing in League One [82]
Workington 1951–52 1976–77 Not re-elected Playing in the Northern Premier League Division One West [83]
Wrexham 1921–22 2007–08 Relegated Playing in the National League [84]
Yeovil Town 2003–04 2018–19 Relegated Playing in the National League [85]
York City 1929–30 2015–16 Relegated Playing in the National League North [86]

See also[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ Aldershot resigned during the 1991–92 season and the club's record was expunged from the table.[32]
  2. ^ Leeds City were expelled and forcibly wound up by the FA during the 1919–20 season and the club's place, record and remaining fixtures in the league were assumed by Port Vale.[57]
  3. ^ Maidstone United were included in the fixtures for the 1992–93 season but folded and resigned after postponing their first match.[60]

References[]

General
  • "footballsite.co.uk". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  • Out of Our League: Defunct and ex-Football League Teams – Volume One. Wibble Publishing. August 2013. ISBN 978-0-9919266-1-9.
  • Out of Our League: Defunct and ex-Football League Teams – Volume Two. Wibble Publishing. August 2014. ISBN 978-0-9919266-9-5.
  • Hyder, Jawad (2014). Ghosts of the League: 1946–92. Flict Enterprises. ASIN B00QVEGW24.
Specific
  1. ^ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939. Tony Brown. p. 295. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ Joyce. Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939. pp. 297–298.
  3. ^ "The Football League 1958–1959". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  4. ^ a b "History of the Football League". The Football League. 22 September 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  5. ^ Barnes, Stuart (2007). News of the World Football Annual 2007–2008. Invincible Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-00-725555-9.
  6. ^ "Guide to the Non-League Pyramid". BBC Sport. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  7. ^ "A short history of the Football League". soccer.mistral.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  8. ^ "The fight for survival". BBC Sport. 30 March 2003. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Arsenal". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  10. ^ "Aston Villa". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Brentford". Fcootball Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Brighton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Burnley". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Chelsea". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  15. ^ "Crystal Palace". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Everton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  17. ^ "Leeds United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Leicester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  19. ^ "Liverpool". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  20. ^ "Manchester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  21. ^ "Manchester United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  22. ^ "Newcastle United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  23. ^ "Norwich City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Southampton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  25. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  26. ^ "Watford". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 27 April 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  27. ^ "West Ham United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  28. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  29. ^ "Aberdare Athletic". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  30. ^ "Accrington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  31. ^ "Accrington Stanley{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  32. ^ a b "Aldershot". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  33. ^ "Aldershot Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  34. ^ "Ashington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  35. ^ "Barnet". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Bootle{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  37. ^ "Boston United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  38. ^ "Bradford Park Avenue". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  39. ^ "Burton Swifts". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  40. ^ "Burton United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  41. ^ "Burton Wanderers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  42. ^ "Bury expelled by English Football League after takeover collapses". 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  43. ^ "Chester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  44. ^ "Chesterfield". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  45. ^ "Dagenham & Redbridge". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  46. ^ "Darlington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  47. ^ "Darwen". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  48. ^ "Durham City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  49. ^ "Gainsborough Trinity". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  50. ^ "Gateshead{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  51. ^ "Glossop North End". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  52. ^ "Glossop". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  53. ^ "Exeter City 3-2 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  54. ^ "Halifax Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  55. ^ "Hereford United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  56. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  57. ^ a b "Leeds City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  58. ^ "Loughborough Town [sic]". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  59. ^ "Macclesfield Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  60. ^ "Maidstone United". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  61. ^ "Maidstone United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  62. ^ "Merthyr Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  63. ^ "Middlesbrough Ironopolis". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  64. ^ "Nelson". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  65. ^ "New Brighton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  66. ^ "New Brighton Tower". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  67. ^ "Newport County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  68. ^ "Northwich Victoria". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  69. ^ "Notts County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  70. ^ "Rotherham County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  71. ^ "Rotherham Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 5 July 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  72. ^ "Rushden & Diamonds". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  73. ^ "Edinburgh's sadness as Rushden & Diamonds reach end of the road". The Local. 5 July 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  74. ^ "Scarborough". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  75. ^ "Barrow 1-2 Southend United". BBC Sport. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  76. ^ "Southport". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  77. ^ "Stalybridge Celtic". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  78. ^ "Stockport County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  79. ^ "Thames". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  80. ^ "Torquay United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  81. ^ "Wigan Borough". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  82. ^ "Wimbledon". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  83. ^ "Workington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  84. ^ "Wrexham". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  85. ^ "Yeovil Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  86. ^ "York City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.

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