Since the English Premier League (EPL) debuted in the 1992/1993 season, it has emerged as arguably the most competitive and entertaining leagues in the world. This prestige and status have been driven by the proliferation of numerous world-class overseas and domestic players, as well as the drama and intensity of the annual battles for EPL glory between the top clubs.
However, it is also true that a handful of clubs have dominated, as only 7 teams have ever won the EPL: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Leicester City. And of those clubs, only City, United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal could be considered “big” or major clubs.
What this ultimately means is that a host of traditionally huge English football clubs have never won English soccer’s most prestigious title, despite coming close. This fact can mainly be attributed to a monopoly in the EPL, with these clubs prevented from signing the best players and managers in the world over and over due to the financial power and clout of the likes of Man City, Man United. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Nevertheless, many of the “other” top clubs have come close to winning the EPL but have been denied the top prize. The clubs are defined here as being a “top” club due to:
- Fanbase size – these clubs traditionally have bigger fanbases and are therefore viewed as 'bigger' clubs within the media space. It usually leads to more revenue at each club as well.
- History, tradition and longevity- these clubs have a long and rich history in English football
- Financial Power- despite being poorer than the EPL winners, these clubs are still financially flush and capable of signing players for huge fees.
Here is a ranking of 5 of the biggest clubs to never win the EPL.
- Leeds United
Best Premier League Finish: 3rd (1999/2000)
Points: 67
Year Founded: 1919
Club Value (estimated): £647 million
As Leeds is one of the biggest cities in the UK, it is unsurprising that Leeds United has a history as one of the best teams in the country. It went through a golden period in the 1960s and 1970s, winning the League title twice, the FA Cup once, the League Cup once and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup twice.
However, the club has endured a torrid time in the 21st century, which has prevented it from even competing for the title. After enjoying its best EPL season in 1999/2000 by finishing 3rd in the EPL on 69 points (still way behind winners Man United on 91 points), Leeds went into a major downward spiral. The club’s massive debt crippled it, resulting in relegation from the EPL until the 2020/2021 season.
- Aston Villa
Best Premier League Finish: 2nd (1992/1993)
Points: 74
Year Founded: 1874
Club Value (estimated): £840
Aston Villa, from Aston, Birmingham, is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in England. It was a pioneer of the modern passing game, ranks 5th in the all-time English top-flight table, and is the seventh most successful club in English football by competitive honours. It has won the Football League First Division 7 times, the League Cup 5 times, and the European Cup and European Super Cup once each.
But this legacy of success has not translated into EPL success, with Villa’s best EPL result being 2nd place in the League’s debut season in 1992/1993, with the club finishing 10 points behind the champions Man United with 74 points. Despite moderate success, since that season, it has never come close to capturing the EPL title and has struggled to maintain consistency at the top of the EPL.
3. Everton
Best Premier League Finish: 4th (2004/2005)
Points: 61
Year Founded: 1878
Club Value (estimated): £500 to 550 million
With the second-longest continuous presence in English top-flight football and a third-place in the all-time points rankings, Everton has a rich and enduring legacy in English football.
The 2nd most popular and successful club to hail from Liverpool, was a founding member of the Football League in 1888 and the EPL in 1992 and have won 15 major trophies, including 9 Football League titles, 5 FA Cups and 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Unsurprisingly, Everton and Goodison Park were one of the most feared places to visit.
This history has not translated into EPL success, with a 4th place position in 2004/2005 (61 points) under David Moyes being the club’s greatest EPL success. Notably, the club did finish in the top seven EPL places up until 2014.
- Newcastle United
Best Premier League Finish: 2nd (1995/1996)
Points: 78
Year Founded: 1892
Club Value (estimated): £820 million to £1 billion
Newcastle United has a proud history, having never dropped below English football's second tier since joining the Football League in 1893. This club from the North East of England has won the 9th-most trophies by an English club, with 4 League Titles, 6 FA Cups, 1 League Cup and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
The club’s greatest success in the EPL was in the 1995/1996 season, when it finished 2nd on 78 points, only 4 points behind Man United. However, the team bottled a superb chance to win the League, as it blew a 12-point lead it had in January.
With superstar striker Alan Shearer in tow, it also finished 2nd to United the following season (7 points behind). This period was to be the high point of Newcastle’s EPL record, as it has never got as close again to tasting EPL glory.
- Tottenham Hotspur
Best Premier League Finish: 2nd (2016/2017)
Points: 86
Year Founded: 1882
Club Value (estimated): £2.6 billion to £3 billion
Tottenham Hotspur has consistently been one of the top clubs in England, having won 2 league titles, 8 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, and 7 FA Community Shields in its history. This North London club has also achieved some firsts, being the first club in the 20th century to achieve the League and FA Cup Double in the 1960–61 season.
When it comes to the EPL, though, Spurs has not fared so well. It did hit a purple patch from 2015 to 2017, finishing third with 11 points in the 2015/2016 season (11 points behind shock champions Leicester City), and 2nd behind Chelsea in the 2016/2017 season, with 86 points.
Spurs remains one of the most popular English clubs around the world, but has never quite lived up to expectations in the EPL.
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