Clubs' Overview & PremierLeague History

CLUB PROFILES

Arsenal

Overview

Arsenal may have been off the pace in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93, but they made up for it by winning both the FA and League Cups.

The Premier League crown eluded them until 1998 - two years into manager Arsene Wenger's tenure - when they did the league and FA Cup double. Under the Frenchman, the Gunners shook off their "boring" image and began to play some of the most attractive football in England.

In eight of his 11 seasons at the club, Arsenal finished first or second. And together with star players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, Wenger took Arsenal to another "double" in 2002.

The Gunners reached the Champions' League final in 2006, becoming the first London team to do so, but lost to Barcelona. Their Barclaycard Premiership title in 2003/04 saw them become only the second team to win the league without losing a match - earning them the title "The Invincibles." Overall they went 49 matches unbeaten, which is a national record.

Premier League History

1992-93 - Win the FA Cup and League Cup double1993-94 - Win the European Cup Winners' Cup1994-95 - George Graham sacked. Stewart Houston becomes caretaker. Lose the Cup Winners' Cup final to Real Zaragoza1995-96 - Bruce Rioch takes charge for one season before resigning1996-97 - Arsène Wenger becomes manager. Signs Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira1997-98 - Win the FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup double1999-00 - Sign Thierry Henry. Lose the UEFA Cup final on penalties to Galatasaray2000-01 - Break record transfer signing Sylvain Wiltord for £13million2001-02 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership and FA Cup double2003-04 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership without losing a match2005-06 - Last season at Highbury. Lose the Champions' League final to Barcelona2006-07 - Moved to Emirates Stadium

Aston Villa

Overview

The inaugural 1992/93 Premier League season saw Aston Villa miss out on their first title in 12 years when they finished runners-up to Manchester United. Although Villa got their revenge over the champions by beating them in the League Cup Final the following season.

Chairman Doug Ellis had been unimpressed by Villa's league form and replaced the flamboyant Ron Atkinson with Brian Little in 1993/94. The former Villa player led the club to a 3-0 win over Leeds United in the 1996 League Cup final.

In 2000, Villa reached their first FA Cup final since 1957 but were defeated by Chelsea. Although Villa remained a hard side to beat, the loss of several star names and further managerial changes did little to help consistency.

Matters came to a head in 2006 when manager David O'Leary left in acrimonious circumstances, but Martin O'Neill has been heralded as the man to lead them up the table. Aston Villa - along with only Chelsea and Blackburn - have finished in every position in the top flight.


1992-93 - Premier League runners-up1993-94 - Beat Manchester United 3-1 in League Cup final1994-95 - Brian Little replaces Ron Atkinson as manager1995-96 - Beat Leeds United 3-0 in League Cup Final1997-98 - John Gregory replaces Brian Little1999-00 - Reach FA Cup Final 2001-02 - Gregory quits in January. Former manager Graham Taylor takes over2002-03 - David O'Leary replaces Taylor in May2005-06 - At the end of the season O'Leary leaves. Randy Lerner buys a majority share in the club. Martin O'Neill becomes manager2006-07 - Break club record transfer, signing Watford's Ashley Young for £9.65million

Birmingham City

Overview

Birmingham exploded onto the Barclaycard Premiership stage in 2002. Having suffered play-off heartbreak in the previous three seasons, they won the play-offs under manager Steve Bruce and seemed determined to make up for lost time.

In their first season, they finished a highly credible 13th and did the double over arch rivals Aston Villa. Another mid-table finish in 2004/05 was followed by relegation a year later and a mass clear-out in an effort to reduce the wage bill.

But Birmingham bounced straight back up last season, clinching automatic promotion as Championship runners-up. They became the first senior club in English history to postpone a match because their newly-laid pitch wasn't ready. The Blues have the dubious honour of playing on what was originally the spare pitch for the new Wembley.


2001-02 - Manager Trevor Francis replaced by Steve Bruce. Win promotion to Barclaycard Premiership via play-offs

2003-04 - Break club record signing Emile Heskey for £6.25million2005-06 - Relegated from the Barclays Premier League 2006-07 - Win automatic promotion to Barclays Premier League as Championship runners-up

Blackburn Rovers

Overview

The birth of the Premier League also heralded Blackburn's return to the top flight for the first time in 26 years. They underlined their ambition by breaking the English transfer record to sign a 22-year-old Alan Shearer for £3.5million. Other expensive signings ensured they finished an impressive fourth.

Owner Jack Walker continued to splash his cash and in their second season, his team were runners-up to arch North Western rivals Manchester United in 1993-94. The positions were reversed the following season as Rovers pipped United to the title on the last day of the season.

The team have failed to reach those heights since then and in 1999, Rovers became the first former Premier League champions to be relegated. The club bounced back in 2001 and progress under Graeme Souness and then Mark Hughes has seen them qualify for Europe four times in six years.


1992-93 - Blackburn, recently promoted via the play-offs, break the national transfer record by signing Alan Shearer from Southampton for £3.5million.1993-94 - Finish runners-up in the FA Carling Premiership1994-95 - Break the English transfer record again, signing Chris Sutton from Norwich City for £5million. Win the FA Carling Premiership1995-96 - Manager Kenny Dalglish becomes Director of Football. Former assistant, Ray Harford, becomes manager1996-97 - Shearer sold to Newcastle for a record £15million. Harford resigns in October after failing to win any of the ten opening matches. Tony Parkes takes over as caretaker manager1997-98 - Roy Hodgson appointed as manager1998-99 - Hodgson sacked in December and replaced by Brian Kidd. Relegated1999-00 - Kidd sacked. Parkes takes over again until March when the club appoint Graeme Souness2000-01 - Jack Walker dies. Promoted as runners-up2001-02 - Break club transfer record with £8million signing of Andy Cole from Manchester United. Win their first-ever League Cup2004-05 - Souness leaves to Newcastle. Replaced by Mark Hughes

Bolton Wanderers

Overview

Bolton have established themselves as a respected Premier League club since rejoining the top flight in 2001. The Trotters made their Premier League bow in 1995 but were relegated after just one season when they finished bottom.

They returned to football's elite a year later after winning the Division One title, but went down again - this time on goal difference. Sam Allardyce guided Bolton back up in 2001 and the club has gone from strength to strength.

Bolton qualified for the Uefa Cup for the first time in their history in 2005 after finishing sixth. After an eighth-place finish the year after, they came seventh last season to make the Uefa Cup again. They were one of 12 founder members of the Football League which was formed in 1888.


1994-95 - Reach FA Carling Premiership 1994-95 - League Cup Finalists 1995-96 - Roy McFarland replaces Bruce Rioch as manager 1995-96 - Colin Todd appointed manager 1995-96 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership 1996-97 - Division One winners 1997-98 - Bolton leave Burnden Park for new Reebok Stadium1997-98 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership 1999-00 - Sam Allardyce becomes manager 2000-01 - Promotion to Barclaycard Premiership via play-offs 2003-04 - League Cup Finalists 2006-07 - Nicolas Anelka becomes record signing for £8million 2006-07 - Sammy Lee takes over as manager

Chelsea

Overview

Chelsea will be desperate to regain their Premier League crown after finishing second to Manchester United last season. Manager Jose Mourinho, bankrolled by owner Roman Abromovich's millions, brought the first title to Stamford Bridge for 50 years when the Blues lifted the trophy in 2005. Chelsea became only the second team to win back-to-back Premier League titles when they clinched it a year later.

Although Chelsea reached the FA Cup Final in 1994, they hardly set the world alight in their early Premier League days. Ruud Gullit became manager in 1996 and steered the Blues to an FA Cup triumph in 1997, while his successor Gianluca Vialli guided the team to victory in the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1998.

Shortly after, he led the team to the UEFA Super Cup after a 1-0 win over Real Madrid. The FA Cup followed in 2000. Vialli was replaced by Claudio Ranieri in 2000 and he led Chelsea to another FA Cup Final appearance in 2002.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the Blues for £140 million. After a trophyless season, he appointed Mourinho as new Chelsea manager and there was instant success. In 2005, Chelsea won the Barclays Premiership and League Cup, along with a Champions League semi-final appearance.

And Mourinho retained the Barclays Premiership crown the year after, equalling the club's own Premier League record of 29 wins set the previous season. They were league runners-up last term and also claimed the FA Cup and League Cup double.

Premier League History1992-93 - Inaugural members of the Premier League 1993-94 - FA Cup Finalists 1996-97 - Ruud Gullit appointed player-manger 1996-97 - FA Cup winners 1997-98 - Gianluca Vialli becomes manager 1997-98 - League Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup triumphs1999-00 - FA Cup winners2000-01 - Claudio Ranieri becomes manager 2001-02 - FA Cup Finalists 2003-04 - Chairman Ken Bates sells Chelsea to Roman Abramovich2004-05 - Jose Mourinho takes over as manager 2004-05 - Chelsea win Barclays Premiership and League Cup2005-06 - Chelsea win Barclays Premiership 2006-07 - FA Cup and League Cup winners

Derby County

Overview

Derby County spent six straight seasons in the Premier League between 1996 and 2002. Jim Smith was the man who guided the Rams to promotion in the 1995-96 season, his first in charge. Derby adapted well to the rigors of life in the top flight, and ended their Premier League debut season in 12th place.

The club moved into the 30,000-seat Pride Park for the 1997-98 season, a stage fit for luxurious foreign imports such as Igor Stimac, Paulo Wanchope and Aljosa Asanovic, who had helped the club impress in their first Premier League season. Italians Stefano Eranio and Francesco Baiano also joined ahead of the debut season at Pride Park as the continental craze continued.

Derby would go from strength to strength in the FA Carling Premiership, finishing ninth and eighth in the following seasons, before going on to struggle. Smith resigned in October 2001 and his replacement Colin Todd lasted just three months before being sacked in January. Former Aston Villa manager John Gregory took over but could not prevent the club being relegated, and the 2007-08 season represents their return to the top flight.


1995-96 - Jim Smith appointed manager 1995-96 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership 1997-98 - Moved to Pride Park 1998-99 - Seth Johnson signed from Crewe for £3million in May 19991999-00 - Craig Burley signed from Celtic for £3million in December 19991999-00 - Branko Strupar signed from Racing Club Genk in December 19991999-00 - Georgiou Kinkladze signed from Ajax for £3million2001-02 - Smith stepped down in Oct 2001, replaced by Colin Todd2001-02 - Todd sacked Jan 2002. Replaced by John Gregory. 2001-02 - Relegated from Barclaycard Premiership2002-03 - Gregory sacked in March 2003. George Burley appointed manager2005-06 - Burley resigns as manager in June 2005 and Phil Brown takes over2005-06 - Brown was sacked in January 2006. Academy coach Terry Westley appointed caretaker2005-06 - A Peter Gadsby led consortium takes over the club2006-07 - Billy Davies appointed manager2007-08 - Robert Earnshaw signs from Norwich for £3.5million

Everton

Overview

Everton have maintained their place in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. The Toffees claimed a famous 1-0 win over Manchester United in the 1995 FA Cup final courtesy of a goal from Paul Rideout. Everton have often been overshadowed by their Merseyside rivals Liverpool but they have a glorious history of their own.

A fourth place finish under manager David Moyes in the 2004-05 campaign, coupled with a position in the top six last season, have cemented the club's status in the upper echelons of English football. The club have contested more seasons in the top flight than any other and are the fifth most successful English club in terms of trophies won.


1993-94 - Mike Walker appointed manager 1993-94 - Peter Johnson takes over as chairman1994-95 - Joe Royle manager Nov 94-Mar 971994-95 - FA Cup winners1997-98 - Howard Kendall appointed manager 1998-99 - Sir Phillip Carter reappointed chairman after Peter Johnson steps down1998-99 - Bill Kenwright takes over club and Sir Phillip Carter becomes chairman1998-99 - Walter Smith appointed manager 2001-02 - David Moyes appointed manager 2004-05 - Bill Kenwright takes over as chairman in 2004, succeeding Sir Phillip Carter2006-07 - Andy Johnson signs for a club record £8.6million from Crystal Palace

Fulham

Overview

Fulham have maintained Premier League status ever since their promotion to the top flight under Frenchman Jean Tigana in 2001. This represented a third promotion in just five seasons for the Cottagers and they have not looked back, establishing themselves in the Premier League.

Last season's 16th place finish was the first campaign where the club failed to finish between 9th and 14th position in the Premier League. In the 2005-06 season, Fulham's home form was the best outside the top six as they secured 13 wins from 19 games.

Manager Chris Coleman was sacked as last season neared its end, with Lawrie Sanchez taking over on a temporary basis. The former Northern Ireland manager steered the Cottagers to safety and was subsequently rewarded with the full-time job. Fulham are the oldest professional team in London.


2000-01 - Club promoted to the FA Carling Premiership2001-02 - Steve Marlet joined from Lyon for a club record £11.5million2002-03 - Jean Tigana replaced by Chris Coleman2006-07 - Chris Coleman replaced by Lawrie Sanchez

Liverpool

Overview

Liverpool have maintained their status as a domestic and European force since the Premier League began in 1992, rarely finishing outside the top positions. The club have won seven major trophies since then, including the Champions League, Uefa Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

Indeed, 2001 saw the Reds claim an unprecedented League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup treble. Having won more domestic and European trophies than any other English club, Liverpool's status as giants of the domestic game is undisputed.

Under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool have secured Champions League football in each of the last three seasons. The Spaniard guided them to third place last season and an appearance in the Champions League final where they were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan.

Liverpool's first-ever competitive game was in the Lancashire League, where a predominantly Scottish team defeated Higher Walton 8-0 on 23rd September 1892.


1993-94 - Roy Evans replaced Graeme Souness1994-95 - League Cup victory 1998-99 - Gerard Houllier joined Evans as joint-manager 1998-99 - Houllier takes sole charge in Nov 1998.2000-01 - FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup 2002-03 - League Cup victory 2003-04 - Houllier departs by mutual consent in May 2004.2004-05 - Rafa Benitez takes over 2004-05 - Djibril Cisse joins from Auxerre for a club record £14million2004-05 - Champions League victory in May 20052005-06 - FA Cup victory in May 20062006-07 - American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks become owners in a deal worth £470million.2007-08 - Fernando Torres becomes Liverpool's record signing at an initial fee of around £20.2million from Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City

Overview

Manchester City have spent 10 years in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. In the 2002-03 season, they became one of only two English teams to have qualified for the Uefa Cup through the 'Fair Play ranking'. This meant that the plush new City of Manchester Stadium was treated to European football just weeks after opening for the start of the following campaign.

Kevin Keegan and then Stuart Pearce, established the club in the Premier League, and under the latter, they finished in 14th place last season. Manchester City were relegated from the First Division in 1938 despite scoring more goals than any other team.


1993-94 - Brian Horton replaces Peter Reid as manager 1994-95 - Chairman Peter Swailes replaced by club legend Francis Lee 1995-96 - Alan Ball replaces Horton 1995-96 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership1996-97 - Steve Coppell replaces Ball 1996-97 - Frank Clark replaces Coppell 1997-98 - Joe Royle replaces Clark 1997-98 - Relegated to Second Division 1998-99 - Promoted to First Division via play-offs1999-00 - John Wardle and David Makin become the club's major shareholders.1999-00 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership 2000-01 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership 2000-01 - Kevin Keegan replaces Royle 2001-02 - Promoted to Barclaycard Premiership2002-03 - Nicolas Anelka joins from PSG for £13million 2002-03 - David Bernstein resigns 2002-03 - John Wardle became temporary chairman

2003-04 - Club moves to City of Manchester Stadium2004-05 - Stuart Pearce replaces Keegan in March 2005.2006-07 - Thaksin Shinawatra acquires a 75 per cent share in the club.2007-08 - Sven-Goran Eriksson replaces Pearce

Manchester United

Overview

Manchester United are the most successful Premier League club having won the title nine times. It all began in 1993 when manager Sir Alex Ferguson ended a 26-year wait to lift the Premier League crown.

The signing of Eric Cantona for £1.2million from Leeds proved a masterstroke as the Frenchman was instrumental in the title victory, along with the likes of Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin, Ryan Giggs and Paul Ince.

United retained the trophy in the following campaign and romped to further titles in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. More silverware was added to the Red Devils' burgeoning trophy cabinet with FA Cup success in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2004, plus League Cup victories in 1992 and 2006.

Perhaps the most memorable time in the club's history was the treble-winning season of 1999 when they added the European Champions League trophy to the league title and FA Cup.

Chelsea briefly broke their league dominance with title wins in 2005 and 2006. But last season, the Red Devils roared back to regain the Barclays Premiership and won't give it up without a fight.


1992-93 - Inaugural members of the Premier League 1991-92 - League Cup winners 1992-93 - Eric Cantona signs from Leeds for £1.2million1992-93 - FA Carling Premiership winners 1993-94 - FA Carling Premiership winners and FA Cup winners 1995-96 - FA Carling Premiership winners and FA Cup winners 1996-97 - FA Carling Premiership winners 1998-99 - European Cup, Premiership and FA Cup winners 1999-00 - FA Carling Premiership winners 2000-01 - FA Carling Premiership winners 2001-02 - Juan Sebastian Veron smashes the British transfer record with a £28million move from Lazio2002-03 - Barclaycard Premiership winners 2003-04 - FA Cup winners 2005-06 - American Malcolm Glazer takes control of club 2005-06 - League Cup winners 2006-07 - Barclays Premiership winners

Middlesbrough

Overview

Middlesbrough have spent the last nine seasons in the Premier League and 12 seasons in total. The 2004/05 season represented their best in the Premier League, as they secured a 7th place finish. Otherwise, Boro have generally been comfortable in the top flight and often excelled in the cup competitions.

After finishing runners-up in the League Cup in 1997 and 1998, Boro won the trophy for the first time when, under Steve McClaren, they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium . Two years later, they were beaten by Sevilla in the Uefa Cup final after a dramatic run which saw them mount stunning late comebacks in the previous two rounds against Basel and Steaua Bucharest respectively.

Current manager Gareth Southgate helped the north east club to a 12th place finish last season. Middlesbrough paid the first-ever four-figure transfer fee for a player in 1905 when they spent £1,000 on centre forward Alf Common.


1992-93 - Relegated from Premier League 1993-94 - Manager Lennie Lawrence resigns1994-95 - Bryan Robson appointed as player-manager 1994-95 - Promoted from Division One 1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership 2001-02 - Robson resigns in summer 20012001-02 - Steve McClaren appointed manager2002-03 - Massimo Maccarone signs from Empoli for a club record £8.15million 2003-04 - League Cup winners2005-06 - McClaren resigns 2006-07 - Gareth Southgate appointed manager

Newcastle United

Overview

Newcastle United fans have had a rollercoaster time since the inception of the Premier League. When Kevin Keegan took over the reins in 1992, the club was on the brink of relegation to the old Division Three. But under his management, they romped to the title and took their place in the FA Carling Premiership in time for the 1993-94 season.

With a goal-hungry Andy Cole and veteran Peter Beardsley at the forefront of an attacking team, they were dubbed "The Entertainers". Attack was the first form of defence and it worked as the

North East outfit finished third in their first season. They went even closer two years later. Leading Manchester United by 12 points, they eventually slipped to second.

Signing Alan Shearer for a world record £15million eased the Toon Army's disappointment and again they were runners-up. Managerial upheaval has seen the club fail to reach those dizzy heights since, but much is expected under new manager Sam Allardyce. St James' Park is the only Barclays Premier League stadium not to have a scoreboard of any kind.


1992-93 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership as Division One Champions1994-95 - Sell Andy Cole to Manchester United for English record transfer fee of £7million.1995-96 - FA Carling Premiership runners-up1996-97 - Sign Alan Shearer for world record £15million. Manager Kevin Keegan quits in January. Replaced by Kenny Dalglish. FA Carling Premiership runners-up.1997-98 - Lose FA Cup Final 2-0 to Arsenal1998-99 - Ruud Gullit replaces Dalglish. Lose FA Cup final 2-0 to Manchester United1999-00 - Bobby Robson replaces Gullit. Wins first match 8-0 against Sheffield Wednesday2004-05 - Robson sacked. Replaced by Graeme Souness2005-06 - Sign Michael Owen for club record £17million. Souness sacked, replaced by Glenn Roeder. Shearer becomes record goalscorer - overtaking Jackie Milburn's tally of 200. Retires having scored 206 goals for Newcastle2006-07 - Roeder sacked with one game of the Barclays Premier League season to go. Sam Allardyce appointed two days after season ends. June 26 - Mike Ashley and St. James' Holdings gain 90% of shares, enough to takeover the club

Portsmouth

Overview

Portsmouth have not looked back since Harry Redknapp steered them to promotion into the Barclaycard Premiership in 2003. The top flight's most southern team comfortably remained in the division the following season and were successful in their fight against relegation in the 2005-06 campaign.

Once survival was secured, Alexandre Gaydamak took over the club and has injected several million pounds into bolstering the squad. Last season, Portsmouth come within a whisker of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

Redknapp's ability to attract the likes of Sol Campbell and David James as well a number of foreign players such as Kanu helped the club to a ninth-place finish, beating the likes of Manchester United and avoiding defeat against Arsenal.

Redknapp had resigned from his post in November 2004 but was reappointed in December 2005 after a stint at local rivals Southampton. Portsmouth were the first club to stage a Football League match under floodlights when Newcastle visited Fratton Park in 1956.


1999-00 - Milan Mandaric takes over club2004-05 - Harry Redknapp resigns as manager and Velimir Zajec becomes caretaker manager2004-05 - Alain Perrin appointed manager, with Zajec reverting to director's role2005-06 - Perrin sacked and Redknapp appointed manager2005-06 - Mandaric sells 50 per cent stake to Alexandre Gaydamak in January 2006, then his remaining half to the Russian after the club avoided relegation2006-07 - Mandaric resigns as chairman on September 21 20062007-08 - Striker John Utaka signs in club record transfer of £8.1million

Reading

Overview

Steve Coppell's Reading had a fantastic 2006/07 campaign - their first in the top flight. They should have been promoted in 1995, having finished runners-up in Division One, but were denied as that was the year the FA Carling Premiership was reduced from 22 team to 20.

The Royals lost to Bolton 4-3 after extra time in the play-off final. In 2006, they finally secured promotion in emphatic style - winning the Championship with a record amount of points (106).

The Royals' first Premier League match was against Middlesbrough and they found themselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes. In a stunning turnaround they went on to win the match 3-2. An impressive and attacking season saw Reading hold Manchester United to a draw, narrowly lose to Chelsea and memorably beat West Ham 6-0.

An impressive Premier League beginning for a club that had been plying its trade in the third tier when the competition kicked off in 1992. Since 2001, 'Reading Fans' has been registered as number 13 in the squad in recognition of the supporters' importance.


1993-94 - Champions of Division Two1994-95 - Manager Mark McGhee resigns. Replaced by Jimmy Quinn and Mick Gooding. Division One runners-up but lose to Bolton in play-offs1997-98 - Terry Bullivant appointed as manager before season begins. Tommy Burns takes over in March. Relegated1998-99 - Move into Madejski Stadium1999-00 - Burns is sacked in September and replaced by Alan Pardew2001-02 - Promoted as Division Two runners-up2002-03 - Lose play-off semi-finals2003-04 - Pardew leaves in September. Replaced by Steve Coppell2005-06 - Win the Championship with record points total2006-07 - Break record signing Greg Halford for £2.5million

Sunderland

Overview

Sunderland's first season in the Premier League was also their last at their famous 99-year old home - Roker Park. Unfortunately they spent their first two seasons in the new stadium in Division One.

The Black Cats have a very unwanted Premier League record - that of lowest ever points tally - 15 in 2006 - and despite two successive seventh-place finishes in 2000 and 2001, Sunderland have never cemented a place in the top flight. But their fiercely proud supporters hope for more this season after ex-Manchester United legend Roy Keane guided them to the Championship title last year.

An end to their reputation as a yo-yo team would be a welcome sight for a club that is the sixth most successful in league history. The Irish double-act of chairman Niall Quinn - an ex-player and manager - and Keane has brought a loyal following of Irish fans who make the trip to the North East for every match, earning the Mackems another nickname - Sund-Ireland.


1992-93 - Avoid relegation to Division Two by one point1993-94 - Mick Buxton replaces Terry Butcher as manager1994-95 - Peter Reid becomes manager with seven matches remaining1995-96 - Win Division One1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership1997-98 - First season at Stadium of Light. Lose play-off final on penalties1998-99 - Win Division One with a record 105 points2002-03 - Break record signing with Tore André Flo for £6.75million. Reid replaced by Howard Wilkinson. Mick McCarthy takes over with nine matches left. Relegated with lowest points tally ever (19)2004-05 - Win Division One2005-06 - McCarthy leaves in March after just two wins. Kevin Ball appointed as caretaker. Relegated with new record low number of points (15).2006-07 - Consortium headed by former hero Niall Quinn takes over. Quinn appointed as manager but sacks himself after four straight defeats. Roy Keane becomes manager. Win the Championship

Tottenham Hotspur

Overview

Spurs have been in the Premier League since its inception and have lit the competition up with their flamboyant style of play. With Jurgen Klinsmann and Ilie Dumitrescu, the team was built around goals, but points were harder to come by. Relegation was only narrowly avoided in 1998, but fans' relief was short lived as their next manager was a legend from hated north London rivals Arsenal - George Graham.

He quickly won the fans round with a League Cup victory in his first season - Spurs' first trophy since the Premier League began. However, it wasn't until Martin Jol took over in 2004 and started building a team for the future - firmly placing his faith in youth - that Spurs began to climb the table. The past two seasons they have only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.


1993-94 - Ossie Ardiles becomes manager1994-95 - Ardiles sacked in September. Replaced by Gerry Francis1997-98 - Francis replaced by Christian Gross, who re-signs Jurgen Klinsmann1998-99 - Gross replaced by George Graham. Win the League Cup2000-01 - Glenn Hoddle replaces Graham in April. ENIC complete takeover with Daniel Levy becoming chairman2003-04 - David Pleat replaces Hoddle in September2004-05 - Jacques Santini becomes head coach, but quits after just 13 matches. Replaced by Martin Jol2007-08 - Sign Darren Bent for club record £16.5million from Charlton

West Ham United

Overview

West Ham secured their place back in the Barclays Premiership after a two-year absence in 2005. Backed by wealthy owner Eggert Magnusson, they hope to start challenging for major honours after narrowly escaping the drop last term.

The Hammers joined the Premier League in 1993 and consolidated in midtable under manager Billy Bonds. At the start of the following season, assistant Harry Redknapp stepped up to become the new manager after Bonds quit the post.

Redknapp's first campaign saw the Hammers finish in 14th place, but he led them to three top-10 finishes including fifth place in 1999. Youth team coach Glenn Roeder became the new manager in 2001 and he had a successful first season leading the team to seventh. But things went badly wrong 12 months later, as they were relegated in 2003.

Alan Pardew took over the reigns and led West Ham to the Championship play-offs, but they lost to Crystal Palace in the final. But the Hammers only had to wait another season before returning to the top flight after play-off success over Preston.

On their return to the top flight in 2005/06, Pardew's men came ninth and also finished as FA Cup runners-up after Liverpool beat them in a penalty shoot-out. Last season, the Hammers started brightly but plunged into a relegation dogfight and Pardew left as manager in November.

New boss Alan Curbishley eventually reversed the slump and West Ham miraculously escaped relegation on the very last day of the season. West Ham have never played outside football's top two divisions since joining the Football League in 1919.


1992-93 - Joined Premier League 1994-95 - Harry Redknapp replaces Billy Bonds as manager 2001-02 - Glenn Roeder becomes manager 2002-03 - Trevor Brooking installed as caretaker manager 2002-03 - Relegated from Barclaycard Premiership 2003-04 - Alan Pardew appointed manager 2004-05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership via play-offs 2005-06 - FA Cup Finalists 2006-07 - Eggert Magnusson becomes new owner2006-07 - Alan Curbishley takes charge

Wigan Athletic

Overview

Wigan Athletic won promotion to England's top flight for the first time ever in 2005 and have stayed in the Premier League for the last two seasons. Remaining in the top half of the table for almost the entire 2005/06 campaign, the Latics also reached the League Cup final for the first time in its history.

They surprised teams with their dynamism in attack and ability to continue carving out chances. Wigan's rise has been swift. Playing in the old Third Division when local millionaire Dave Whelan purchased the club in 1995, his Premier League ambitions were realised in just 10 years.

Wigan found last season more taxing and were pulled into a relegation dogfight. However, they survived on the final day of the campaign after a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Sheffield United. Manager Paul Jewell chose to step down after survival had been guaranteed and was replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings.


2004-05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership 2006-07 - Emile Heskey signed from Birmingham for a club record £5.5million 2006-07 - Paul Jewell resigns as manager and is replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings

Documents

Clubs' Overview & PremierLeague History