Football League First Division

Football League First Division

Founded	1888
Folded	2004
Country	England Wales
Number of teams	24
Level on pyramid	2 (1992–2004) 1 (1888–1992)
Promotion to	Premier League (1992–2004)
Relegation to	Second 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 champions	Norwich City (2003–04)
Most championships	Liverpool (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. Following the creation of the FA Premier League it was a second-level division. In 2004 it was rebranded as the Football League Championship.

History

Further information: Football in England § History of English football

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 and the owner was Kevin Jones; 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.

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.

First Division champions

1888–1992

See List of English football champions.

1993–2004

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