Get to know the top football clubs in England with this detailed guide. From Premier League giants to lower league gems, explore the diverse and competitive football landscape of England.
Football in England is not just a sport, it’s a way of life. With a total of 116 football clubs competing within the English Football League system, the country boasts some of the most historic and iconic teams in the world.
At the top of the pyramid sits the Premier League, the pinnacle of English football. This elite division consists of the very best 20 clubs in the country, each with a storied history and a fanbase that spans generations.
However, the Premier League is not the only league that captures the hearts of football fans. The English Football League (EFL) is comprised of four divisions below the top-flight: the Championship, League One, League Two, and the National League.
These divisions are home to clubs with rich histories, fierce rivalries, and a never-ending quest for glory. From Manchester United and Liverpool to Arsenal and Chelsea, the top clubs in England have been battling it out for over a century, accumulating countless trophies along the way.
The Constant Movement of Teams
What sets the English Football League system apart is the constant movement of teams between the divisions. Each season, clubs are promoted or relegated based on their performance, leading to a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
For example, clubs that perform poorly in the Premier League are relegated to the Championship, while the top-performing teams from the Championship earn promotion to the Premier League. This system ensures that no club can rest on its laurels, as the threat of relegation is always looming.
Similar promotions and relegations occur between the other divisions as well, keeping the competition intense and the stakes high. This fluidity in the league system adds an element of excitement and unpredictability that sets English football apart from its counterparts around the world.
A Global Influence
While the majority of clubs in the English football league system are based in England, there are also a few clubs from outside the country that compete within the English system.
For instance, Swansea City and Cardiff City, both based in Wales, currently play in the English football league system. These clubs bring a unique flavor to the leagues and add to the already rich tapestry of rivalries and histories.
List of Football Clubs In England
Looking for a list of the best football clubs in England? Below, I have named the top 116 clubs based on their success, history, and fanbase.
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Liverpool FC
- Chelsea FC
- Arsenal FC
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United
- Nottingham Forest
- Burnley
- Luton Town
- Sheffield United
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Everton
- AFC Bournemouth
- Brentford
- Aston Villa
- Fulham
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Southampton
- Leicester City
- Coventry City
- Leeds United
- Millwall
- Blackburn Rovers
- West Bromwich Albion
- Bristol City
- Preston North End
- Middlesbrough
- Norwich City
- Hull City
- Plymouth Argyle
- Huddersfield
- Stoke City
- Rotherham
- Swansea City
- Birmingham
- Sunderland
- Ipswich Town
- Cardiff City
- Barnsley
- Port Vale
- Blackpool
- Burton Albion
- Bolton Wanderers
- Lincoln City
- Cambridge United
- Oxford United
- Carlisle United
- Fleetwood Town
- Charlton Athletic
- Leyton Orient
- Derby County
- Wigan Athletic
- Northampton Town
- Stevenage FC
- Portsmouth
- Bristol Rovers
- Reading FC
- Peterborough United
- Shrewsbury Town
- Cheltenham Town
- Wycombe Wanderers
- Exeter City
- Accrington Stanley
- Newport County
- Colchester United
- Swindon Town
- Crawley Town
- Bradford City
- Crewe Alexandra
- Mansfield Town
- Doncaster Rovers
- Harrogate Town
- Forest Green Rovers
- Salford City
- Grimsby Town
- AFC Wimbledon
- Morecambe FC
- Walsall FC
- Stockport County FC
- Gillingham FC
- Sutton United
- Notts County
- Barrow AFC
- Tranmere Rovers FC
- Wrexham AFC
- Milton Keynes Dons
- Queens Park Rangers
- AFC Fylde
- Aldershot Town
- Altrincham
- Barnet
- Boreham Wood
- Bromley
- Chesterfield
- Dagenham & Redbridge
- Dorking Wanderers
- Eastleigh
- Ebbsfleet United
- FC Halifax Town
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool United
- Kidderminster Harriers
- Maidenhead United
- Oldham Athletic
- Oxford City
- Rochdale
- Solihull Moors
- Southend United
- Wealdstone
- Woking
- York City
- Torquay
In conclusion, the top 116 football clubs in England, spread across the five divisions of the English Football League system, form the backbone of a sport that is deeply ingrained in the nation’s culture. With their rich histories, fierce rivalries, and constant movement between divisions, these clubs provide endless excitement and passion for football fans around the world.
Article updated 5 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
