Wikipedia

List of former English Football League clubs

The former member clubs of the English Football League are football clubs that 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.

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 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 were relegated in 2008, ending an 87-year spell.

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regionalised as North and South.[1] In 1958 these became the national Third and Fourth Division.[2] The Premier League superseded the First Division as the top-flight of the English football league system in 1992, with the other three divisions renamed the First, Second and Third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

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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 2026, the founder member clubs playing in the League are Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. 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.

Four 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.

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)

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  Defunct club
ClubFirst League
season		Last League
season		ReasonCurrent statusRef(s)
Wales Aberdare Athletic1921–221926–27Not re-electedMerged with Aberaman as Aberdare and Aberaman, later Aberaman Town and now Aberdare Town in the South Wales Premier League Division One East[8]
Accrington1888–891892–93ResignedDefunct[9]
Accrington Stanley (1891)1921–221961–62ResignedDefunct, but a new Accrington Stanley formed in 1968 and are playing in EFL League Two[10]
Aldershot1932–331991–92[a]LiquidatedDefunct, Aldershot Town later formed and are playing in the National League[11]
Aldershot Town2008–092012–13RelegatedPlaying in the National League[12]
Ashington1921–221928–29Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Division One East[13]
Barrow1921–221971–72Not re-electedPlaying in the National League[14]
2020–212025–26Relegated
Bootle1892–931892–93ResignedDefunct. A new club, formed as Langton in 1953, changed name to Bootle in 1973, and now playing in the Northern Premier League Division One West[15]
Boston United2002–032006–07RelegatedPlaying in the National League[16]
Bradford Park Avenue1908–091969–70Not re-electedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in the Northern Premier League Division One East[17]
Burton Swifts1892–931900–01Merged with Burton Wanderers to form Burton UnitedDefunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in EFL League One[18]
Burton United1901–021906–07Not re-electedDefunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in EFL League One[19]
Burton Wanderers1894–951896–97Not re-elected; later merged with Burton Swifts to form Burton UnitedDefunct, a successor club formed in 1950 Burton Albion F.C. plays in EFL League One[20]
Bury1894–952018–19Expelled; 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 Northern Premier League Premier Division[21]
Carlisle United1928–292024–25RelegatedPlaying in the National League[22]
Chester City1931–322008–09RelegatedDefunct, successor club Chester playing in the National League North[23]
Dagenham & Redbridge2007–082015–16RelegatedPlaying in the National League South[24]
Darlington1921–222009–10RelegatedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League North[25]
Darwen1891–921898–99ResignedDefunct, AFC Darwen later formed and are playing in the North West Counties League Division One North[26]
Durham City1921–221927–28Not re-electedDefunct. Revived club playing in the Wearside League Division One[27]
Forest Green Rovers2017–182023–24RelegatedPlaying in the National League[28]
Gainsborough Trinity1896–971911–12Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Premier Division[29]
Gateshead1919–201959–60Not re-electedDefunct. New Gateshead (National League) and South Shields (National League North) clubs formed[30]
Glossop1898–991914–15Not re-electedPlaying in the North West Counties League Premier Division[31][32]
Halifax Town1921–222001–02RelegatedDefunct, FC Halifax Town later formed and are playing in the National League[33]
Harrogate Town2020–212025–26RelegatedPlaying in the National League[34]
Hartlepool United1921–222022–23RelegatedPlaying in the National League[35]
Hereford United1972–732011–12RelegatedDefunct, successor club Hereford playing in the National League North[36]
Kidderminster Harriers2000–012004–05RelegatedPlaying in the National League[37]
Leeds City1905–061919–20[b]ExpelledDefunct, successor club Leeds United playing in the Premier League[38]
Loughborough1895–961899–1900Not re-electedDefunct[39]
Macclesfield Town1997–982019–20RelegatedDefunct, successor club Macclesfield playing in the National League North[40]
Maidstone United1989–901991–92[c]LiquidatedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in the National League South[42]
Wales Merthyr Town1920–211929–30Not re-electedDefunct, revived version playing in National League North[43]
Middlesbrough Ironopolis1893–941893–94ResignedDefunct[44]
Morecambe2007–082024–25RelegatedPlaying in the National League North[45]
Nelson1921–221930–31Not re-electedDefunct, revived version playing in the North West Counties League Premier Division[46]
New Brighton1923–241950–51Not re-electedDefunct[47]
New Brighton Tower1898–991900–01LiquidatedDefunct[48]
Wales Newport County1920–211987–88RelegatedDefunct, revived version of the club playing in EFL League Two[49]
Northwich Victoria1892–931893–94ResignedPlaying in the Midland League Premier Division[50]
Rotherham County1919–201924–25Merged with Rotherham Town (1899) to form Rotherham UnitedDefunct, Rotherham United playing in the EFL League Two[51]
Rotherham Town1893–941895–96ResignedDefunct, Rotherham United playing in the EFL League Two[52]
Rushden & Diamonds2001–022005–06RelegatedDefunct, AFC Rushden & Diamonds playing in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands[53][54]
Scarborough1987–881998–99RelegatedDefunct, Scarborough Athletic later formed and are playing in the National League North[55]
Scunthorpe United1950–512021–22RelegatedPlaying in the National League[56]
Southend United1920–212020–21RelegatedPlaying in the National League[57]
Southport1921–221977–78Not re-electedPlaying in the National League North[58]
Stalybridge Celtic1921–221922–23ResignedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Division One West[59]
Sutton United2021–222023–24RelegatedPlaying in the National League[60]
Thames1930–311931–32ResignedDefunct[61]
Torquay United1927–282013–14RelegatedPlaying in the National League South[62]
Wigan Borough1921–221930–31Resigned midway through seasonDefunct, successor club Wigan Athletic playing in EFL League One[63]
Wimbledon1977–782003–04Relocated and became Milton Keynes Dons.Became Milton Keynes Dons are playing in League Two[64]
Workington1951–521976–77Not re-electedPlaying in the Northern Premier League Premier Division[65]
Yeovil Town2003–042018–19RelegatedPlaying in the National League[66]

Current members of the Premier League (2026–27)

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See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ↑ Aldershot resigned during the 1991–92 season and the club's record was expunged from the table.[11]
  2. ↑ 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.[38]
  3. ↑ Maidstone United were included in the fixtures for the 1992–93 season but folded and resigned after postponing their first match.[41]

References

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General
Specific
  1. ↑ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939. Tony Brown. pp. 297–298. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. ↑ "The Football League 1958–1959". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  3. 1 2 "History of the Football League". The Football League. 22 September 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "A short history of the Football League". soccer.mistral.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  5. ↑ Barnes, Stuart (2007). News of the World Football Annual 2007–2008. Invincible Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-00-725555-9.
  6. ↑ "Guide to the Non-League Pyramid". BBC Sport. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ "The fight for survival". BBC Sport. 30 March 2003. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  8. ↑ "Aberdare Athletic". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  9. ↑ "Accrington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  10. ↑ "Accrington Stanley{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  11. 1 2 "Aldershot". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  12. ↑ "Aldershot Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "Ashington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  14. ↑ "Barrow". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Bootle{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  16. ↑ "Boston United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  17. ↑ "Bradford Park Avenue". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  18. ↑ "Burton Swifts". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  19. ↑ "Burton United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  20. ↑ "Burton Wanderers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  21. ↑ "Bury expelled by English Football League after takeover collapses". 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  22. ↑ "Carlisle United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 January 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "Chester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  24. ↑ "Dagenham & Redbridge". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  25. ↑ "Darlington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  26. ↑ "Darwen". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  27. ↑ "Durham City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  28. ↑ "Forest Green Rovers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  29. ↑ "Gainsborough Trinity". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  30. ↑ "Gateshead{1}". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  31. ↑ "Glossop North End". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  32. ↑ "Glossop". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  33. ↑ "Halifax Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  34. ↑ "Harrogate Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 14 March 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "Hartlepool United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  36. ↑ "Hereford United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  37. ↑ "Kidderminster Harriers". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  38. 1 2 "Leeds City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  39. ↑ "Loughborough Town [sic]". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  40. ↑ "Macclesfield Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  41. ↑ "Maidstone United". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  42. ↑ "Maidstone United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  43. ↑ "Merthyr Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  44. ↑ "Middlesbrough Ironopolis". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  45. ↑ "Morecambe 1–3 Salford City: Morecambe relegated to National League". BBC Sport. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  46. ↑ "Nelson". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  47. ↑ "New Brighton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  48. ↑ "New Brighton Tower". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  49. ↑ "Newport County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  50. ↑ "Northwich Victoria". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  51. ↑ "Rotherham County". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  52. ↑ "Rotherham Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 5 July 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  53. ↑ "Rushden & Diamonds". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  54. ↑ "Edinburgh's sadness as Rushden & Diamonds reach end of the road". The Local. 5 July 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  55. ↑ "Scarborough". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  56. ↑ "Scunthorpe United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  57. ↑ "Barrow 1-2 Southend United". BBC Sport. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  58. ↑ "Southport". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  59. ↑ "Stalybridge Celtic". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  60. ↑ "Sutton relegated after draw at MK Dons". BBC Sport. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  61. ↑ "Thames". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  62. ↑ "Torquay United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  63. ↑ "Wigan Borough". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  64. ↑ "Wimbledon". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  65. ↑ "Workington". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  66. ↑ "Yeovil Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  67. ↑ "Arsenal". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  68. ↑ "Aston Villa". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  69. ↑ "A F C Bournemouth". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  70. ↑ "Brentford". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  71. ↑ "Brighton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  72. ↑ "Chelsea". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  73. ↑ "Coventry City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  74. ↑ "Crystal Palace". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  75. ↑ "Everton". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  76. ↑ "Fulham". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  77. ↑ "Hull City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  78. ↑ "Ipswich Town". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  79. ↑ "Leeds United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  80. ↑ "Liverpool". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 30 September 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  81. ↑ "Manchester City". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  82. ↑ "Manchester United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  83. ↑ "Newcastle United". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  84. ↑ "Nottingham Forest". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  85. ↑ "Sunderland". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  86. ↑ "Tottenham Hotspur". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.

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