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 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 Football League comprises professional football clubs from England and Wales. It was established in 1888 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Third Division, and the bottom 12 starting in the Fourth Division.[3] The introduction of the Premier League, which superseded the First Division as the top-flight of English football, caused a reorganisation of the English football league system in 1992, with the Fourth Division being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 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 2016, the founder member clubs playing in the League are Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, Notts County, Preston North End, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. 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 (2016–17)

ClubFirst League
season		Last League
season		Ref(s)
Arsenal1893–94 1991–92[9]
Burnley1888–89 2015–16[10]
Bournemouth1923–24 2014–15[11]
Chelsea1905–06 1991–92[12]
Crystal Palace1920–21 2012–13[13]
Everton1888–89 1991–92[14]
Hull City1905–06 2015–16[15]
Leicester City1894–95 2013–14[16]
Liverpool1893–94 1991–92[17]
Manchester City1892–93 2001–02[18]
Manchester United1892–93 1991–92[19]
Middlesbrough1899–1900 2015–16[20]
Southampton1920–21 2011-12[21]
Stoke City1888–89 2007–08[22]
Sunderland1890–91 2006–07[23]
Swansea City1920–21 2010–11[24]
Tottenham Hotspur1908–09 1991–92[25]
Watford1920–21 2014–15[26]
West Bromwich Albion1888–89 2009–10[27]
West Ham United1919–20 2011–12[28]

Other former member clubs

ClubFirst League
season		Last League
season		ReasonCurrent statusRef(s)
Aberdare Athletic1921–22 1926–27 Not re-electedMerged with Aberaman as Aberdare and Aberaman, later Aberaman Town and now Aberdare Town in the Welsh Football League Division Two [29]
Accrington1888–89 1892–93 Resigned Both defunct, but a new Accrington Stanley formed in 1968 and are playing in Football League Two [30]
Accrington Stanley1921–22 1961–62 Resigned [31]
Aldershot1932–33 1991–92[A] Liquidated Defunct, Aldershot Town later formed and are playing in the National League [32]
Aldershot Town2008–09 2012–13 Relegated Playing in the National League [33]
Ashington1921–22 1928–29 Not re-elected Playing in the Northern League Division One [34]
Barrow1921–22 1971–72 Not re-elected Playing in the National League [35]
Bootle1892–93 1892–93 Resigned Defunct. 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 [36]
Boston United2002–03 2006–07 Relegated Playing in the National League North [37]
Bradford Park Avenue1908–09 1969–70 Not re-elected Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League North [38]
Burton Swifts1892–93 1900–01 Merged with Burton Wanderers to form Burton United Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in Football League Championship [39]
Burton United1901–02 1906–07 Not re-elected Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in Football League Championship [40]
Burton Wanderers1894–95 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 Football League Championship [41]
Chester City1931–32 2008–09 Relegated Defunct, successor club Chester playing in the National League [42]
Dagenham & Redbridge2007–08 2015–16 Relegated Playing in the National League [43]
Darlington1921–22 2009–10 Relegated Defunct, successor club Darlington 1883 playing in the National League North [44]
Darwen1891–92 1898–99 Resigned Defunct, AFC Darwen later formed and are playing in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division [45]
Durham City1921–22 1927–28 Not re-elected Defunct. Revived club playing in the Northern League Division Two [46]
Gainsborough Trinity1896–97 1911–12 Not re-elected Playing in the National League North [47]
Gateshead1930–31 1959–60 Not re-elected Defunct, revived club Gateshead F.C. playing in the National League [48]
Glossop1898–99 1914–15 Not re-elected Playing in the Northern Premier League Division One North [49][50]
Halifax Town1921–22 2001–02 Relegated Defunct, Halifax Town later formed and are playing in the National League North [51]
Hereford United1972–73 2011–12 Relegated Defunct, successor club Hereford playing in the Southern League Division One South & West [52]
Kidderminster Harriers2000–01 2004–05 Relegated Playing in the National League North [53]
Leeds City1905–06 1919–20[B] Expelled Defunct, successor club Leeds United playing in the Football League Championship[54]
Lincoln City1892–93 2010–11 Relegated Playing in the National League [55]
Loughborough1895–96 1899–1900 Not re-elected Defunct [56]
Macclesfield Town1997–98 2011–12 Relegated Playing in the National League [57]
Maidstone United1989–90 1991–92[C] Liquidated Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League [58]
Merthyr Town1920–21 1929–30 Not re-elected Defunct, revived version playing in Southern Football League Premier Division [59]
Middlesbrough Ironopolis1893–94 1893–94 Resigned Defunct[60]
Nelson1921–22 1930–31 Not re-elected Playing in the North West Counties Football League Division One [61]
New Brighton1923–24 1950–51 Not re-elected Defunct [62]
New Brighton Tower1898–99 1900–01 Liquidated Defunct [63]
Newport County1920–21 1987–88 Relegated Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the Football League Two [64]
Northwich Victoria1892–93 1893–94 Resigned Playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South [65]
Rotherham County1919–20 1924–25 Merged with Rotherham Town to form Rotherham United Defunct, Rotherham United playing in Football League Championship[66]
Rotherham Town1893–94 1895–96 Resigned Defunct, Rotherham United playing in Football League Championship[67]
Rushden & Diamonds2001–02 2005–06 Relegated Defunct, AFC Rushden & Diamonds playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South[68][69]
Scarborough1987–88 1998–99 Relegated Defunct, Scarborough Athletic later formed and are playing in the Northern Premier League Division One North[70]
South Shields1919–20 1929–30 Relocated and became Gateshead Defunct, a revived South Shields also relocated to Gateshead to become Gateshead United, before the current South Shields team was created which is currently playing in Northern League Division One[71]
Southport1921–22 1977–78 Not re-elected Playing in the National League [72]
Stalybridge Celtic1921–22 1922–23 Resigned Playing in the National League North [73]
Stockport County1900–01 2010–11 Relegated Playing in the National League North [74]
Thames1930–31 1931–32 Resigned Defunct [75]
Torquay United1927–28 2013–14 Relegated Playing in the National League [76]
Tranmere Rovers1921–22 2014–15 Relegated Playing in the National League [77]
Wigan Borough1921–22 1930–31 Resigned mid way through season Defunct, successor club Wigan Athletic playing in the Football League Championship[78]
Wimbledon1977–78 2003–04 Relocated and became Milton Keynes Dons. AFC Wimbledon formed as a self-proclaimed phoenix club in 2002Defunct, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon both playing in Football League One [79]
Workington1951–52 1976–77 Not re-elected Playing in the National League North [80]
Wrexham1921–22 2007–08 Relegated Playing in the National League [81]
York City1929–30 2015–16 Relegated Playing in the National League [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 F.C..[54]

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
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. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  4. 1 2 "History of the Football League". The Football League. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  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. 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  7. ↑ "A short history of the Football League". soccer.mistral.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  8. ↑ "The fight for survival". BBC Sport. 2003-03-30. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  9. ↑ "Arsenal". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  10. ↑ "Burnley". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  11. ↑ "Bournemouth". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  12. ↑ "Chelsea". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  13. ↑ "Crystal Palace". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  14. ↑ "Everton". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  15. ↑ "Hull City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  16. ↑ "Leicester City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  17. ↑ "Liverpool". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  18. ↑ "Manchester City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  19. ↑ "Manchester United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  20. ↑ "Middlesbrough". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  21. ↑ "Southampton". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  22. ↑ "Stoke City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  23. ↑ "Sunderland". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  24. ↑ "Swansea Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  25. ↑ "Tottenham Hotspur". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  26. ↑ "Watford". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  27. ↑ "West Bromwich Albion". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  28. ↑ "West Ham United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  29. ↑ "Aberdare Athletic". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  30. ↑ "Accrington". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  31. ↑ "Accrington Stanley{1}". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  32. 1 2 "Aldershot". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  33. ↑ "Aldershot Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  34. ↑ "Ashington". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  35. ↑ "Barrow". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  36. ↑ "Bootle{1}". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  37. ↑ "Boston United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  38. ↑ "Bradford Park Avenue". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  39. ↑ "Burton Swifts". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  40. ↑ "Burton United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  41. ↑ "Burton Wanderers". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  42. ↑ "Chester City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  43. ↑ "Dagenham & Redbridge". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  44. ↑ "Darlington". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  45. ↑ "Darwen". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  46. ↑ "Durham City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  47. ↑ "Gainsborough Trinity". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  48. ↑ "Gateshead{1}". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  49. ↑ "Glossop North End". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  50. ↑ "Glossop". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  51. ↑ "Halifax Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  52. ↑ "Hereford United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
  53. ↑ "Kidderminster Harriers". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  54. 1 2 "Leeds City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  55. ↑ "Lincoln City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  56. ↑ "Loughborough Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  57. ↑ "Hereford United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
  58. ↑ "Maidstone United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  59. ↑ "Merthyr Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  60. ↑ "Middlesbrough Ironopolis". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  61. ↑ "Nelson". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  62. ↑ "New Brighton". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  63. ↑ "New Brighton Tower". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  64. ↑ "Newport County". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  65. ↑ "Northwich Victoria". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  66. ↑ "Rotherham County". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  67. ↑ "Rotherham Town". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  68. ↑ "Rushden & Diamonds". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  69. ↑ "Edinburgh's sadness as Rushden & Diamonds reach end of the road". The Local. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  70. ↑ "Scarborough". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  71. ↑ "South Shields". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  72. ↑ "Southport". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  73. ↑ "Stalybridge Celtic". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  74. ↑ "Stockport County". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  75. ↑ "Thames". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  76. ↑ "Torquay United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  77. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  78. ↑ "Wigan Borough". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  79. ↑ "Wimbledon". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  80. ↑ "Workington". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  81. ↑ "Wrexham". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  82. ↑ "York City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  83. ↑ "Maidstone United". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 2008-08-19.

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