We are talking about those seasons that fans of top clubs Premier League I don’t want to remember.
In the world of football, no club is immune from relegation. In the championship USSR Spartak Moscow also left the top flight and the current giants CSKA and Lokomotiv spent several seasons in the first division. How are things Premier League?
The English Premier League has existed under this name since 1992. And all this time, the “big six” always remained in the “high society”.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have been in the top flight for the last 31 years, and Everton were last relegated when there were no crosswalks on English roads, no apartment blocks in English cities .
But how were things with the other giants.
“Arsenal”
One of the many myths in Arsenal’s history is that the club has never been relegated, that’s not true. Plus, when the Gunners crashed, it was one of the worst seasons ever.
The fateful day Arsenal were relegated was 12 April 1913.
Arsenal, using rather underhanded tactics, were promoted after the First World War at the expense of Spurs and have never lost their place in the top flight since.
Everton
The Toffees are the second longest serving English club in the top flight, last having been relegated in 1950/51. This debacle was cemented with a crushing 6-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and it wasn’t until 1954 that Everton were promoted.
However, they sometimes teetered on the edge. For example, only a goal by Gareth Farrelly at Goodison Park against Coventry City on the final day of the 1997/98 season allowed the team to maintain a lead on goal difference. This season, the club has barely kept its residence permit Premier Leaguewhich was the reason for this article.
“Liverpool”
Perennial rivals Everton were last relegated in 1953/54, just four years after reaching the FA Cup final.
It took the Reds eight years to come back after a Bill Shankly arrived from Huddersfield to save the club from its doldrums. It’s safe to say Liverpool haven’t looked back since.
Manchester United
United have been in the top flight since the 1975/76 season, when they bounced back quickly from relegation the previous season.
United fans fondly recall their season in the Second Division as the young squad, based around Sammy McAilory, Lou Macari and Stuart Pearson, worked their way up the table.
Policemen across Britain are unlikely to remember United’s second division run with the same fondness – United’s away games were a magnet for football hooligans.
“Tottenham”
Spurs’ last relegation came in 1977 – a drastic drop from the club’s success in the 1960s – and it came as a huge shock.
Like Manchester United, Spurs quickly returned to the top (although they finished third in the second division). This was followed by the stunning signings of Oswaldo Ardiles and Ricky Villa in 1978 and the club has remained at the top ever since.
Chelsea
The last time Chelsea were relegated was in 1987/88 after a play-off defeat to Middlesbrough. They returned the following season.
Manchester City
City have been relegated twice from the Premier League. The first case, in 1996, is mainly remembered for a clumsy attempt to buy time in the match against Liverpool, believing that the results in other matches would be in their favor.
But it didn’t work out and City dropped to the second and then third tier in 1998, before gaining successive promotions under Joe Royle.
But that’s why football is interesting, the club lift goes up and down.
