List of former English Football League clubs

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Third Division, and the bottom 12 starting in the Fourth Division.[3] The introduction of the Premier League, which superseded the First Division as the top-flight of English football, caused a reorganisation of the English football league system in 1992, with the Fourth Division being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 Division, Second Division and Third Division 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 Conference/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.

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 2018, the founder member clubs playing in the League are Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion. Notts County and Preston have continuously been League members, whereas the others have played in the Premier League at one time or another.

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

Current members of the Premier League (2018–19)

ClubFirst League
season		Last League
season		Ref(s)
Arsenal1893–941991–92[9]
Burnley1888–892015–16[10]
Bournemouth1923–242014–15[11]
Brighton & Hove Albion1920–212016–17[12]
Cardiff City1920–212017–18[13]
Chelsea1905–061991–92[14]
Crystal Palace1920–212012–13[15]
Everton1888–891991–92[16]
Fulham1907–082017–18[17]
Huddersfield Town1910–112016–17[18]
Leicester City1894–952013–14[19]
Liverpool1893–941991–92[20]
Manchester City1892–932001–02[21]
Manchester United1892–931991–92[22]
Newcastle United1893–942016–17[23]
Southampton1920–212011–12[24]
Tottenham Hotspur1908–091991–92[25]
Watford1920–212014–15[26]
Wolverhampton Wanderers1888–892017–18[27]
West Ham United1919–202011–12[28]

Other former member clubs

ClubFirst League
season		Last League
season		ReasonCurrent statusRef(s)
Aberdare Athletic1921–221926–27Not re-electedMerged with Aberaman as Aberdare and Aberaman, later Aberaman Town and now Aberdare Town in the Welsh Football League Division Two[29]
Accrington1888–891892–93ResignedBoth defunct, but a new Accrington Stanley formed in 1968 and are playing in EFL League One[30]
Accrington Stanley1921–221961–62Resigned[31]
Aldershot1932–331991–92[A]LiquidatedDefunct, Aldershot Town later formed and are playing in the National League[32]
Aldershot Town2008–092012–13RelegatedPlaying in the National League[33]
Ashington1921–221928–29Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern League Division One[34]
Barnet1991–922017–18RelegatedPlaying in the National League[35]
Barrow1921–221971–72Not re-electedPlaying in the National League[36]
Bootle1892–931892–93ResignedDefunct. A new club, formed as Langton in 1953, changed name to Bootle in 1973, and now playing in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division[37]
Boston United2002–032006–07RelegatedPlaying in the National League North[38]
Bradford Park Avenue1908–091969–70Not re-electedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League North[39]
Burton Swifts1892–931900–01Merged with Burton Wanderers to form Burton UnitedDefunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in the EFL League One[40]
Burton United1901–021906–07Not re-electedDefunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in the EFL League One[41]
Burton Wanderers1894–951896–97Not re-elected; later merged with Burton Swifts to form Burton UnitedDefunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in the EFL League One[42]
Chester City1931–322008–09RelegatedDefunct, successor club Chester playing in the National League[43]
Chesterfield1899–19001908–09Not re-electedDefunct. Revived club playing in the National League[44]
1921–222017–18RelegatedPlaying in the National League
Dagenham & Redbridge2007–082015–16RelegatedPlaying in the National League[45]
Darlington1921–222009–10RelegatedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League North[46]
Darwen1891–921898–99ResignedDefunct, AFC Darwen later formed and are playing in the North West Counties Football League Division One North[47]
Durham City1921–221927–28Not re-electedDefunct. Revived club playing in the Northern League Division Two[48]
Gainsborough Trinity1896–971911–12Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Premier Division[49]
Gateshead1919–201959–60Not re-electedDefunct. New Gateshead and South Shields clubs formed.[50]
Glossop1898–991914–15Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Division One West[51][52]
Halifax Town1921–222001–02RelegatedDefunct, Halifax Town later formed and are playing in the National League North[53]
Hartlepool United1921–222016–17RelegatedPlaying in the National League[54]
Hereford United1972–732011–12RelegatedDefunct, successor club Hereford playing in the National League North[55]
Kidderminster Harriers2000–012004–05RelegatedPlaying in the National League North[56]
Leeds City1905–061919–20[B]ExpelledDefunct, successor club Leeds United playing in the EFL Championship[57]
Leyton Orient1905–062016–17RelegatedPlaying in the National League[58]
Loughborough1895–961899–1900Not re-electedDefunct[59]
Maidstone United1989–901991–92[C]LiquidatedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League[60]
Merthyr Town1920–211929–30Not re-electedDefunct, revived version playing in Southern Football League Premier Division[61]
Middlesbrough Ironopolis1893–941893–94ResignedDefunct[62]
Nelson1921–221930–31Not re-electedPlaying in the North West Counties Football League Division One North[63]
New Brighton1923–241950–51Not re-electedDefunct[64]
New Brighton Tower1898–991900–01LiquidatedDefunct[65]
Newport County1920–211987–88RelegatedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in EFL League Two[66]
Northwich Victoria1892–931893–94ResignedPlaying in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division[67]
Rotherham County1919–201924–25Merged with Rotherham Town to form Rotherham UnitedDefunct, Rotherham United playing in EFL League One[68]
Rotherham Town1893–941895–96ResignedDefunct, Rotherham United playing in EFL League One[69]
Rushden & Diamonds2001–022005–06RelegatedDefunct, AFC Rushden & Diamonds playing in the Southern Football League Premier Division[70][71]
Scarborough1987–881998–99RelegatedDefunct, Scarborough Athletic later formed and are playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division[72]
Southport1921–221977–78Not re-electedPlaying in the National League North[73]
Stalybridge Celtic1921–221922–23ResignedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Premier Division[74]
Stockport County1900–012010–11RelegatedPlaying in the National League North[75]
Thames1930–311931–32ResignedDefunct[76]
Torquay United1927–282013–14RelegatedPlaying in the National League South[77]
Wigan Borough1921–221930–31Resigned mid way through seasonDefunct, successor club Wigan Athletic playing in EFL Championship[78]
Wimbledon1977–782003–04Relocated and became Milton Keynes Dons. AFC Wimbledon formed as a protest club in 2002.Defunct, AFC Wimbledon are playing in EFL League One and MK Dons are playing in EFL League Two[79]
Workington1951–521976–77Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Premier Division[80]
Wrexham1921–222007–08RelegatedPlaying in the National League[81]
York City1929–302015–16RelegatedPlaying in the National League North[82]

See also

Footnotes

A Aldershot resigned during the 1991–92 season and the club's record was expunged from the table.[32]

B 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]

C Maidstone United were included in the fixtures for the 1992–93 season but folded and resigned after postponing their first match.[83]

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. 1 2 "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 0-00-725555-1.
  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. ↑ "Burnley". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Bournemouth". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Brighton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "Cardiff City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 December 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  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. ↑ "Fulham". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  18. ↑ "Huddersfield Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "Leicester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  20. ↑ "Liverpool". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  21. ↑ "Manchester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  22. ↑ "Manchester United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  23. ↑ "Newcastle United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  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 24 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Wolverhampton Wanderers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  28. ↑ "West Ham United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Barrow". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  37. ↑ "Bootle{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  38. ↑ "Boston United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  39. ↑ "Bradford Park Avenue". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  40. ↑ "Burton Swifts". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  41. ↑ "Burton United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  42. ↑ "Burton Wanderers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  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. ↑ "Halifax Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  54. ↑ "Hartlepool United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  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. 1 2 "Leeds City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  58. ↑ "Leyton Orient". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  59. ↑ "Loughborough Town [sic]". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  60. ↑ "Maidstone United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  61. ↑ "Merthyr Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  62. ↑ "Middlesbrough Ironopolis". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  63. ↑ "Nelson". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  64. ↑ "New Brighton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  65. ↑ "New Brighton Tower". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  66. ↑ "Newport County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  67. ↑ "Northwich Victoria". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  68. ↑ "Rotherham County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  69. ↑ "Rotherham Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 5 July 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  70. ↑ "Rushden & Diamonds". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  71. ↑ "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.
  72. ↑ "Scarborough". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  73. ↑ "Southport". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  74. ↑ "Stalybridge Celtic". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  75. ↑ "Stockport County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  76. ↑ "Thames". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  77. ↑ "Torquay United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  78. ↑ "Wigan Borough". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  79. ↑ "Wimbledon". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  80. ↑ "Workington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  81. ↑ "Wrexham". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  82. ↑ "York City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  83. ↑ "Maidstone United". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

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