Securing promotion to the Premier League is the dream for every Championship club at the start of each season but only three clubs can reach the promised land each year.
However, records show that only 50% of promoted clubs manage to avoid relegation in their first season in England’s top flight. That in itself shows the gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship.
Best Promoted Clubs:
As the Big 6 have strengthened their grip on the Premier League in recent times, promoted clubs have failed to compete at the top of the table.
Without further ado, it is time to look at the best performing promoted clubs. Could one of the 2020/21 Premier League promoted sides challenge to break into these rankings?
5) Sunderland
Having secured one of the best ever Championship seasons, Sunderland were expected to do reasonably well under manager Peter Reid in the Premier League.
But the Black Cats exceeded all expectations as they finished seventh – four places clear of arch rivals Newcastle United. The likes of Kevin Kilbane and Steve Bould played key roles for Sunderland having joined the club ahead of 1999/00.
Kevin Phillips was outstanding, notching an incredible 30 Premier League goals to finish as the league’s top scorer. In addition, his tally was enough to ensure that he became the first Englishman to win the European Golden Boot award.
4) Ipswich Town
One year after Sunderland’s exploits, Ipswich went even better. The Tractor Boys were the surprise package in their debut campaign, finishing fifth despite making a limited number of changes to the squad.
Richard Wright and Titus Bramble went on to enjoy solid Premier League careers but it was Marcus Stewart’s 19 goals that really helped Ipswich to climb the table.
Incredibly, Ipswich finished the campaign just four points behind second-placed Arsenal. It was an astonishing achievement given the club’s stature but the Tractor Boys failed to cope with qualifying for the UEFA Cup as they were relegated in 2001/02.
3) Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn earned promotion despite finishing as low as sixth in the second tier. However, Rovers saved their best form for the postseason and it was enough to go up to the Premier League.
Club owner Jack Walker moved to invest heavily in the club, bringing in the likes of Graeme Le Saux and Stuart Ripley. However, Alan Shearer was the biggest draw of all.
Shearer missed half the season but notched 16 goals in 21 matches to help Blackburn to fourth in the table. While Rovers missed out on Europe, they more than made up for it by winning the Premier League title two years later.
2) Nottingham Forest
Forest defied the odds to finish third in 1994/95 – which still ranks as the joint-best finish for a newly promoted side from the Championship. Having been relegated two years earlier, most fans expected Forest to struggle.
The City Ground faithful saw Forest hit the ground running straight away, avoiding defeat in 11 consecutive matches. Stan Collymore scored 22 goals as Forest qualified for Europe, an impressive haul that earned him a move to Liverpool.
With Collymore gone, Forest failed to hit those lofty heights again. The two-time European champions will be a popular pick in 2020/21 Championship betting odds.
1) Newcastle United
Newcastle earned respect from Premier League fans for their efforts in 1993/94, with Kevin Keegan’s men given the nickname ‘The Entertainers’.
Having finished clear as second tier champions, the Magpies were optimistic of avoiding relegation in the Premier League but nobody expected Newcastle to finish third in the table after a fantastic campaign – particularly in the final third.
Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole formed one of the Premier League’s most dangerous striker partnerships, scoring a combined 55 goals that season. Keegan’s men broke a number of club records and will be remembered for their entertaining style.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Charles Dharapak / AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 23rd August 2020
