English football has a long and rich history, with many top-flight teams around for over a century. The top division has undergone several changes, from the old First Division to the current Premier League. Still, a few teams have spent decades in the top flight.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the teams that have spent the longest time in the top flight of English football, be it the Premier League or the old First Division. And the team that sits at the top of the pile might come as something of a surprise to many.
Everton: 120 Seasons
Founded in 1878, Everton has remained in top-flight English football for decades, only being relegated twice in the 1929/30 and 1950/51 seasons. They won their first First Division title in the 1890/91 season and several more titles and cups over the following decades. In recent years, they have been a mid-table team in the Premier League, averaging a position of 10.4 in the Premier League.
Despite not being seen as one of the most successful teams in the country these days, Everton have actually won more top-division titles than Man City, Chelsea, Aston Villa or Newcastle. In fact, only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have won more than the Toffees. They also have a strong and passionate fanbase and continue to be a staple in the top flight of English football (although at the time of writing their status in the Premier League is somewhat under threat). But when it comes to the team that’s been in the top flight for most seasons, Everton are comfortably ahead of the chasing pack.
Aston Villa: 109 Seasons
Aston Villa are one of the oldest English Football clubs having been founded in 1874 and over the years they have won the old First Division, FA Cups and even the European Cup. They were relegated for three years from the Premier League after the 2015/16 season but were promoted back in the 2019/20 season. But they have still managed to retain their position as the team with the second most seasons in the English top flight.
Liverpool: 108 Seasons
Liverpool is one of the most successful and recognisable clubs in English football, with 19 league titles. They won their first First Division title in the 1900/01 season and several more titles and cups over the following decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, they dominated English and European football, winning multiple league titles and European trophies under the management of Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, and Kenny Dalglish. Despite them having an uncharacteristically bad campaign in the 2022/23 season, Liverpool have won multiple domestic and European cups, and they landed their first Premier League title in 2019/20 (to add to their 18 First Division titles from the pre-Premier League era).
Arsenal: 106 Seasons
Arsenal is another old club and also one of the most successful in English football. They won their first First Division title in the 1930/31 season and several more titles and cups over the following decades. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, they were one of the top teams in the country, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups under the management of Arsene Wenger. Despite relative struggles in recent years, Arsenal remain a mainstay in the top flight of English football and continues to have a strong and passionate fanbase.
As things stand, Arsenal hold the record for the most consecutive seasons in the top flight with 97, way ahead of Everton (69) in second and Liverpool (61) in third. Interestingly, Arsenal never actually earned promotion to the top division in the conventional sense. Arsenal finished fifth in the second tier in 1914/15, after which football took a break for the First World War. After the war, Arsenal chairman somehow persuaded the Football League to allow Arsenal into the top division… and they’ve been there ever since!
Manchester United: 98 Seasons
Manchester United is one of the world’s most successful and recognisable clubs. They are the most successful Premier League club, with 13 titles since the competition’s inception in 1992. In the 1990s and early 2000s, they dominated English and European football, winning multiple league titles and Champions League trophies with Sir Alex Ferguson as manager. Despite struggling (relatively speaking of course) since Sir Alex Ferguson left, Manchester United have managed to win a Europa League, an FA Cup and a League Cup. They remain a mainstay in the top flight of English football.
Manchester City: 94 Seasons
Manchester City are sixth when it comes to the most seasons in the top division, just four behind their Manchester rivals United. Although they have had a lot of success in recent times, they have never won the Champions League (or its forerunner, the European Cup). They did land the )now-defunct) European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969/70 though.
Other Teams of Note
Aside from these, several other teams have been in the top flight for a long time with Newcastle (91 seasons), Chelsea (88), Tottenham (88) and Sunderland (87) making up the rest of the top 10. Chelsea and Sunderland have each won the top-division title on six occasions, Newcastle have landed it four times and Spurs just twice.
The longevity in the top flight of all the above mentioned teams speaks to their strength as organisations, as well as their commitment to success and their passion for the sport. Whether winning titles and trophies or simply battling to stay in the top division, these teams continue to be a part of the fabric of English football.
In conclusion, these teams have been a part of the rich history and success of the English game for many decades to come. Whether you are a fan of Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Everton (hopefully) or any of the other teams that have been in the top flight for a long time, you can be (fairly) sure that they will continue to provide you with unforgettable moments and memories for years to come.
