List of former English Football League clubs explained

The former member clubs of the English Football League are football clubs who lost their status in the League by resigning, or by relegation, by becoming defunct, merging with another club, or expulsion. Clubs presently playing in the Premier League are also included in this article.

The English Football League comprises professional clubs from England and Wales, and was established in 1888 as The Football League (First Division). In 1892, the Second Division was formed. A Third Division was introduced in 1920, before being regionalised as North and South.^[1] In 1958 these became the national Third and Fourth Division.^[2] The Premier League superseded the First Division as the top-flight of the English football league system in 1992, with the other three divisions renamed the First, Second and Third Divisions.^[3] They were rebranded again in 2004 as the Championship, League One and League Two.^[3]

Until 1986, clubs could lose their League status by failing to gain re-election after finishing in the bottom four of the bottom division (fourth tier).^[4] From the 1986–87 season, the club finishing bottom 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] Since 2002–03, the bottom two clubs of League Two face relegation to the National League.^[7]

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 2023, the founder member clubs playing in the League are Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion. Preston have continuously been League members, whereas the others (except Notts County) have played in the Premier League at one time or another. Notts County has recently returned to the League after four seasons in the National League.

Five former members of the old Football League Division One no longer play in the Football League or Premier League: Bury, Bradford Park Avenue, Darwen, and Glossop North End and Oldham Athletic A.F.C.

Where a defunct club has been succeeded by a phoenix club, the new club is listed.

Former member clubs (no longer at English football levels 1–4)

width=23%	Club!	width=10%	First League season!	width=10%	Last League season!	width=25%	Reason!	width=25%	Current status!	Ref(s)
Aberdare Athletic			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	^[8]
Accrington			Resigned	Defunct	^[9]
Accrington Stanley (1891)			Resigned	Defunct, but a new Accrington Stanley formed in 1968 and are playing in	^[10]
Aldershot			Liquidated	Defunct, Aldershot Town later formed and are playing in the	^[11]
Aldershot Town			Relegated	Playing in the	^[12]
Ashington			Not re-elected	Playing in the	^[13]
Barnet			Relegated	Playing in the	^[14]
Bootle			Resigned	Defunct. A new club, formed as Langton in 1953, changed name to Bootle in 1973, and now playing in the	^[15]
Boston United			Relegated	Playing in the	^[16]
Bradford Park Avenue			Not re-elected	Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the	^[17]
Burton Swifts				Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in	^[18]
Burton United			Not re-elected	Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in	^[19]
Burton Wanderers				Defunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in	^[20]
Bury	1894–95	2018–19	Expelled; later merged with successor club, Bury A.F.C.	Expelled during the 2019–20 season without playing a match, due to inability to pay liabilities. Playing in the	^[21]
Chester City			Relegated	Defunct, successor club Chester playing in the	^[22]
Dagenham & Redbridge			Relegated	Playing in the	^[23]
Darlington			Relegated	Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the	^[24]
Darwen			Resigned	Defunct, AFC Darwen later formed and are playing in the	^[25]
Durham City			Not re-elected	Defunct. Revived club playing in the	^[26]
Forest Green Rovers			Relegated	Playing in the	^[27]
Gainsborough Trinity			Not re-elected	Playing in the	^[28]
Gateshead			Not re-elected	Defunct. New Gateshead (National League) and South Shields (Northern Premier League Premier Division) clubs formed	^[29]
Glossop			Not re-elected	Playing in the	^[30] ^[31]
Halifax Town			Relegated	Defunct, FC Halifax Town later formed and are playing in the	^[32]
Hartlepool United			Relegated	Playing in the	^[33]
Hereford United			Relegated	Defunct, successor club Hereford playing in the	^[34]
Kidderminster Harriers			Relegated	Playing in the	^[35]
Leeds City			Expelled	Defunct, successor club Leeds United playing in the	^[36]
Loughborough			Not re-elected	Defunct	^[37]
Macclesfield Town			Relegated	Defunct, successor club Macclesfield playing in the	^[38]
Maidstone United			Liquidated	Defunct, revived version of the club playing in the	^[39]
Merthyr Town			Not re-elected	Defunct, revived version playing in	^[40]
Middlesbrough Ironopolis			Resigned	Defunct	^[41]
Nelson			Not re-elected	Defunct, revived version playing in the	^[42]
New Brighton			Not re-elected	Defunct	^[43]
New Brighton Tower			Liquidated	Defunct	^[44]
Newport County			Relegated	Defunct, revived version of the club playing in	^[45]
Northwich Victoria			Resigned	Playing in the	^[46]
Oldham Athletic			Relegated	Playing in the	^[47]
Rochdale			Relegated	Playing in the	^[48]
Rotherham County				Defunct, Rotherham United playing in the	^[49]
Rotherham Town			Resigned	Defunct, Rotherham United playing in the	^[50]
Rushden & Diamonds			Relegated	Defunct, AFC Rushden & Diamonds playing in the	^[51] ^[52]
Scarborough			Relegated	Defunct, Scarborough Athletic later formed and are playing in the	^[53]
Scunthorpe United			Relegated	Playing in the	^[54]
Southend United			Relegated	Playing in the	^[55]
Southport			Not re-elected	Playing in the	^[56]
Stalybridge Celtic			Resigned	Playing in the	^[57]
Sutton United			Relegated	Playing in the	^[58]
Thames			Resigned	Defunct	^[59]
Torquay United			Relegated	Playing in the	^[60]
Wigan Borough			Resigned midway through season	Defunct, successor club Wigan Athletic playing in	^[61]
Wimbledon			Relocated and became Milton Keynes Dons.		^[62]
Workington			Not re-elected	Playing in the	^[63]
Yeovil Town			Relegated	Playing in the	^[64]
York City			Relegated	Playing in the	^[65]

Current members of the Premier League (2024–25)

Club	First League season	Last League season	Ref(s)
Arsenal		1991–92	^[66]
Aston Villa		2018–19	^[67]
Bournemouth		2021–22	^[68]
Brentford		2020–21	^[69]
Brighton & Hove Albion		2016–17	^[70]
Chelsea		1991–92	^[71]
Crystal Palace		2012–13	^[72]
Everton		1991–92	^[73]
Fulham		2021–22	^[74]
Ipswich Town		2023–24	^[75]
Leicester City		2023–24	^[76]
Liverpool		1991–92	^[77]
Manchester City		2001–02	^[78]
Manchester United		1991–92	^[79]
Newcastle United		2016–17	^[80]
Nottingham Forest		2021–22	^[81]
Southampton		2023–24	^[82]
Tottenham Hotspur		1991–92	^[83]
West Ham United		2011–12	^[84]
Wolverhampton Wanderers		2017–18	^[85]

See also

• List of Scottish Football League clubs
• Timeline of English football

References

General

• Web site: footballsite.co.uk . footballsite.co.uk . 22 August 2008.
• Book: Out of Our League: Defunct and ex-Football League Teams – Volume One . Wibble Publishing . 978-0-9919266-1-9 . August 2013.
• Book: Out of Our League: Defunct and ex-Football League Teams – Volume Two . Wibble Publishing . 978-0-9919266-9-5 . August 2014.
• Book: Hyder, Jawad . Ghosts of the League: 1946–92 . Flict Enterprises . 2014 . B00QVEGW24.

Specific

Notes and References

1. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939 . 2004 . Tony Brown . 1-899468-67-6 . 297–298.
2. Web site: The Football League 1958–1959 . Historical Football Kits . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080920082845/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/1958-1959.htm . 20 September 2008 . live .
3. News: History of the Football League . The Football League . 22 September 2010 . 5 July 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130202161656/http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/History/HistoryDetail/0%2C%2C10794~1357277%2C00.html . 2 February 2013 .
4. Web site: A short history of the Football League . soccer.mistral.co.uk . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074223/http://www.soccer.mistral.co.uk/fleg/flhist.htm . 20 April 2018 . live .
5. Book: Barnes, Stuart . News of the World Football Annual 2007–2008 . 2007 . Invincible Press . 978-0-00-725555-9 . 58.
6. News: Guide to the Non-League Pyramid . https://archive.today/20130419182903/http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7201054.stm . dead . 19 April 2013 . BBC Sport . 31 March 2008 . 5 July 2011.
7. News: The fight for survival . BBC Sport . 30 March 2003 . 5 July 2011.
8. Web site: Aberdare Athletic . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515131807/http://www.fchd.info/ABERDARA.HTM . 15 May 2008 . live .
9. Web site: Accrington . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515220228/http://www.fchd.info/ACCRINGT.HTM . 15 May 2008 . live .
10. Web site: Accrington Stanley . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080618221431/http://www.fchd.info/ACCRIS-1.HTM . 18 June 2008 . live . dmy-all.
11. Web site: Aldershot . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080623002338/http://www.fchd.info/ALDERSHO.HTM . 23 June 2008 . live .
12. Web site: Aldershot Town . Football Club History Database . 6 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140226133842/http://www.fchd.info/ALDERSHT.HTM . 26 February 2014 . live .
13. Web site: Ashington . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080419143639/http://www.fchd.info/ASHINGTO.HTM . 19 April 2008 . live .
14. Web site: Barnet . Football Club History Database . 13 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152142/http://www.fchd.info/BARNET.HTM . 13 May 2018 . live .
15. Web site: Bootle . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080508004715/http://www.fchd.info/BOOTLE1.HTM . 8 May 2008 . live . dmy-all.
16. Web site: Boston United . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080509131030/http://www.fchd.info/BOSTONU.HTM . 9 May 2008 . live .
17. Web site: Bradford Park Avenue . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080818135339/http://www.fchd.info/BRADFOPA.HTM . 18 August 2008 . live .
18. Web site: Burton Swifts . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080509142345/http://www.fchd.info/BURTONSW.HTM . 9 May 2008 . live .
19. Web site: Burton United . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516072121/http://www.fchd.info/BURTONU.HTM . 16 May 2008 . live .
20. Web site: Burton Wanderers . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515220332/http://www.fchd.info/BURTONW.HTM . 15 May 2008 . live .
21. News: Bury expelled by English Football League after takeover collapses. 27 August 2019. 27 August 2019. en-GB.
22. Web site: Chester City . Football Club History Database . 1 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080511211022/http://www.fchd.info/CHESTERC.HTM . 11 May 2008 . live .
23. Web site: Dagenham & Redbridge . Football Club History Database . 29 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160510234454/http://www.fchd.info/DAGENHAR.HTM . 10 May 2016 . live .
24. Web site: Darlington . Football Club History Database . 16 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515161447/http://www.fchd.info/DARLINGT.HTM . 15 May 2008 . live .
25. Web site: Darwen . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080606015314/http://www.fchd.info/DARWEN.HTM . 6 June 2008 . live .
26. Web site: Durham City . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080509173612/http://www.fchd.info/DURHAMC.HTM . 9 May 2008 . live .
27. Web site: Forest Green Rovers . Football Club History Database . 28 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930231900/https://fchd.info/FORESTGR.HTM . 30 September 2023 . live .
28. Web site: Gainsborough Trinity . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080509150217/http://www.fchd.info/GAINSTRI.HTM . 9 May 2008 . live .
29. Web site: Gateshead . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080617080829/http://www.fchd.info/GATESHE1.HTM . 17 June 2008 . live . dmy-all.
30. Web site: Glossop North End . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515223534/http://www.fchd.info/GLOSSOPN.HTM . 15 May 2008 . live .
31. Web site: Glossop . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515224222/http://www.fchd.info/GLOSSOP.HTM . 15 May 2008 . live .
32. Web site: Halifax Town . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081011025638/http://www.fchd.info/HALIFAXT.HTM . 11 October 2008 . live .
33. Web site: Hartlepool United . Football Club History Database . 14 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230508164442/https://www.fchd.info/HARTLPLU.HTM . 8 May 2023 . live .
34. Web site: Hereford United . Football Club History Database . 13 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151226074812/http://www.fchd.info/HEREFORU.HTM . 26 December 2015 . live .
35. Web site: Kidderminster Harriers . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081011024257/http://www.fchd.info/KIDDERMH.HTM . 11 October 2008 . live .
36. Web site: Leeds City . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080930233304/http://www.fchd.info/LEEDSC.HTM . 30 September 2008 . live .
37. Web site: Loughborough Town [sic] ]. Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080930235444/http://www.fchd.info/LOUGHBOT.HTM . 30 September 2008 . live .
38. Web site: Macclesfield Town . Football Club History Database . 14 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200111082041/http://www.fchd.info/MACCLEST.HTM . 11 January 2020 . live .
39. Web site: Maidstone United . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080521181813/http://www.fchd.info/MAIDSTOU.HTM . 21 May 2008 . live .
40. Web site: Merthyr Town . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080521185531/http://www.fchd.info/MERTHYRT.HTM . 21 May 2008 . live .
41. Web site: Middlesbrough Ironopolis . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170959/http://www.fchd.info/MIDDLESI.HTM . 7 September 2008 . live .
42. Web site: Nelson . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516063917/http://www.fchd.info/NELSON.HTM . 16 May 2008 . live .
43. Web site: New Brighton . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516043207/http://www.fchd.info/NEW-BRIG.HTM . 16 May 2008 . live .
44. Web site: New Brighton Tower . Football Club History Database . 22 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080511220554/http://www.fchd.info/NEW-BTOW.HTM . 11 May 2008 . live .
45. Web site: Newport County . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080508012945/http://www.fchd.info/NEWPOC-1.HTM . 8 May 2008 . live .
46. Web site: Northwich Victoria . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080511222154/http://www.fchd.info/NORTHWIV.HTM . 11 May 2008 . live .
47. Web site: Oldham Athletic . Football Club History Database . 30 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210617020306/https://www.fchd.info/OLDHAMA.HTM . 17 June 2021 . live .
48. Web site: Rochdale . Football Club History Database . 14 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415213750/https://www.fchd.info/ROCHDALE.HTM . 15 April 2023 . live .
49. Web site: Rotherham County . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080530020651/http://www.fchd.info/ROTHERCO.HTM . 30 May 2008 . live .
50. Web site: Rotherham Town . Football Club History Database . 5 July 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070705190040/http://www.fchd.info/ROTHERHT.HTM . 5 July 2007 . dmy-all.
51. Web site: Rushden & Diamonds . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080530021323/http://www.fchd.info/RUSHDEND.HTM . 30 May 2008 . live .
52. News: Edinburgh's sadness as Rushden & Diamonds reach end of the road . The Local . 5 July 2011 . 5 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111004105007/http://www.bournelocal.co.uk/sport/football/edinburgh_s_sadness_as_rushden_diamonds_reach_end_of_the_road_1_2832912 . 4 October 2011 . dead . dmy-all.
53. Web site: Scarborough . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516055411/http://www.fchd.info/SCARBORO.HTM . 16 May 2008 . live .
54. Web site: Scunthorpe United . Football Club History Database . 30 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220414175301/https://www.fchd.info/SCUNTHOU.HTM . 14 April 2022 . live .
55. News: Barrow 1-2 Southend United . 1 May 2021 . BBC Sport . 10 May 2021.
56. Web site: Southport . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080511202731/http://www.fchd.info/SOUTHPOR.HTM . 11 May 2008 . live .
57. Web site: Stalybridge Celtic . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080508013635/http://www.fchd.info/STALYBRC.HTM . 8 May 2008 . live .
58. News: Sutton relegated after draw at MK Dons . BBC Sport . 27 April 2024 . 28 May 2024.
59. Web site: Thames . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080626092125/http://www.fchd.info/THAMES.HTM . 26 June 2008 . live .
60. Web site: Torquay United . Football Club History Database . 9 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090419013207/http://fchd.info/TORQUAYU.HTM . 19 April 2009 . live .
61. Web site: Wigan Borough . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080629042523/http://www.fchd.info/WIGANB.HTM . 29 June 2008 . live .
62. Web site: Wimbledon . Football Club History Database . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516104414/http://www.fchd.info/WIMBLEDO.HTM . 16 May 2008 . live .
63. Web site: Workington . Football Club History Database . 19 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516060722/http://www.fchd.info/WORKINGT.HTM . 16 May 2008 . live .
64. Web site: Yeovil Town . Football Club History Database . 9 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180821113911/http://fchd.info/YEOVILT.HTM . 21 August 2018 . live .
65. Web site: York City . Football Club History Database . 29 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202718/http://www.fchd.info/YORKC.HTM . 4 March 2016 . live .
66. Web site: Arsenal . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091106003337/http://fchd.info/ARSENAL.HTM . 6 November 2009 . live .
67. Web site: Aston Villa . Football Club History Database . 28 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180826113431/http://www.fchd.info/ASTONVIL.HTM . 26 August 2018 . live .
68. Web site: A F C Bournemouth . Football Club History Database . 30 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220503161414/https://www.fchd.info/AFC-BOUR.HTM . 3 May 2022 . live .
69. Web site: Brentford . Football Club History Database . 30 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210128040713/https://www.fchd.info/BRENTFOR.HTM . 28 January 2021 . live.
70. Web site: Brighton . Football Club History Database . 9 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170929114304/http://www.fchd.info/BRIGHTHA.HTM . 29 September 2017 . live .
71. Web site: Chelsea . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080608225138/http://www.fchd.info/CHELSEA.HTM . 8 June 2008 . live .
72. Web site: Crystal Palace . Football Club History Database . 23 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224120614/http://www.fchd.info/CRYSTALP.HTM . 24 December 2013 . live .
73. Web site: Everton . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080511211637/http://www.fchd.info/EVERTON.HTM . 11 May 2008 . live .
74. Web site: Fulham . Football Club History Database . 30 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210617021145/https://www.fchd.info/FULHAM.HTM . 17 June 2021 . live .
75. Web site: Ipswich Town . Football Club History Database . 28 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230922214301/https://www.fchd.info/IPSWICHT.HTM . 22 September 2023 . live .
76. Web site: Leicester City . Football Club History Database . 28 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219114342/https://www.fchd.info/LEICESTC.HTM . 19 December 2023 . live .
77. Web site: Liverpool . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080930234619/http://www.fchd.info/LIVERPOO.HTM . 30 September 2008 . live .
78. Web site: Manchester City . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080628045646/http://www.fchd.info/MANCHESC.HTM . 28 June 2008 . live .
79. Web site: Manchester United . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080308143835/http://www.fchd.info/MANCHESU.HTM . 8 March 2008 . live .
80. Web site: Newcastle United . Football Club History Database . 9 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170426153610/http://fchd.info/NEWCASTU.HTM . 26 April 2017 . live .
81. Web site: Nottingham Forest . Football Club History Database . 30 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210814101917/https://www.fchd.info/NOTTINGF.HTM . 14 August 2021 . live .
82. Web site: Southampton . Football Club History Database . 28 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217040536/http://www.fchd.info/SOUTHAMP.HTM . 17 December 2023 . live .
83. Web site: Tottenham Hotspur . Football Club History Database . 11 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080614003543/http://www.fchd.info/TOTTENHH.HTM . 14 June 2008 . live .
84. Web site: West Ham United . Football Club History Database . 20 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120419022351/http://www.fchd.info/W-HAMU.HTM . 19 April 2012 . live .
85. Web site: Wolverhampton Wanderers . Football Club History Database . 29 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200844/http://fchd.info/WOLVERHW.HTM . 15 August 2018 . live .