The Carling-FA Premiership is the top level of the "pyramid" that is English soccer. Just below the Premiership are the three divisions of the Football League. Because of the FA's system of promotion and relegation, it's not fair to compare the teams of the Football League
to our minor leagues in baseball in this country. First Division teams such as Nottingham Forest and Sunderland were once in the Premiership; Leicester City and Barnsley are teams in the
Premiership who spent decades in the lower divisions. If a team's owners are willing to commit the financial resources to building a top-notch team, they'll be promoted. With hard work
and a little luck, they just might stay at that next level. The Football League (sponsored by the Nationwide Building Association) is the oldest organized soccer league in the world. The top
teams from the League resigned from the old First Division in1992 to form the Premier League, so the Football League re-named its divisions accordingly. Don't think for a moment that Football
League games are any less exciting as those in the Premier League. Remember, the top teams in each division are striving to move up. The fans of a team like Manchester City are just as loyal
(and vocal) when it comes to supporting their side as those of perennial Premiership powerhouse Manchester United. |
Teams in the Football League
First DivisionBirmingham City
Bradford
Bury
Charlton Athletic
Crewe
Huddersfield Town
Ipswich
Manchester City
Middlesborough
Norwich
Nottingham Forest
Oxford United
Port Vale
Portsmouth
Queen's Park Rangers
Reading
Sheffield United
Stockport County
Stoke City
Sunderland
Swindon
Tranmere
West Bronwich
Wolverhampton Wanderers
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