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Football League First Division

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Football League First Division
Founded1888
Folded2004
CountryEngland
Wales
Number of teams24
Level on pyramid2 (1992–2004)
1 (1888–1992)
Promotion toPremier League (1992–2004)
Relegation toSecond Division
Domestic cup(s)FA Cup
League Cup
Full Members Cup (1985–1992)
International cup(s)European Cup (1956–1985, 1991–1992)
European Cup Winners' Cup (1960–1985, 1990–1999)
UEFA Cup (1971–1985, 1990–2004)
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1955–1971)
Last championsNorwich City
(2003–04)
Most championshipsLiverpool
(18 titles)

The Football League First Division is a former division of the Football League. Between 1888 and 1992 it was the top level division in the English football league system. However following the creation of the FA Premier League it subsequently became a second level division. In 2004 it was rebranded as the Football League Championship.

History

The Football League was founded in 1888 by Aston Villa director William McGregor. It originally consisted of a single division of 12 clubs (Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke (now Stoke City), West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers), known as The Football League. When the League admitted additional members from the rival Football Alliance in 1892, it was split into two divisions.

For the next 100 years, the First Division was the top professional league in English football. Then, in 1992 the 22 clubs making up the First Division elected to resign from the Football League and set up the Premier League. The Football League was consequently re-organised, with the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions now renamed the First, Second and Third respectively. Thus, the First Division, while still the top level of the Football League, now became the second level of the entire English football league system.

The First Division was renamed as the Football League Championship prior to the start of the 2004–05 season, as part of a league-wide rebrand.

Liverpool were the most frequent winners of the First Division when it was the top flight of English football, winning it a total of 18 times.

After the creation of the Premier League, the new Division One title was won more than once by only one club; Sunderland, who won it in 1996 and 1999.

Size

The First Division initially consisted of 12 founder clubs; since then it has undergone a series of expansions as football became more popular and the number of quality teams increased. There were also a series of contractions in the late 1980s, although they were soon reversed, as follows:

No. of teams From To
12 1888 1891
14 1891 1892
16 1892 1898
18 1898 1905
20 1905 1915
22 1919 1987
21 1987 1988
20 1988 1991
22 1991 1992
24† 1992 2004

† as the second tier of professional football in England from 1992

Player's medals

As of the 1947–48 season making 7 appearances for their club during the season was not enough for a player to qualify for a winners medal.[1]

As of the 1975–76 season players had to make 14 appearances for their club during the season in order to qualify for a winners medal.[2]

First Division champions

File:FootballLeagueChampionshiptrophy.jpg
The trophy received by the winners of the First Division

1888–1992

See List of English football champions.

1993–2004

See List of winners of English Football League Championship and predecessors.

References

  1. ^ "Player profile: Bryn Jones". Arsenal player database. Arsenal.com. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  2. ^ "Joey Jones: Profile". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 20 May 2011.