In the world of English football, fans cherish their club’s history—famous players, legendary matches, trophies, and of course, the pride of never being relegated from the top division. Staying in the Premier League, or its predecessor the First Division, without dropping down is a mark of consistent excellence and prestige.
Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, only a select few clubs have maintained an unbroken presence in England’s top tier. These elite sides are Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Everton, and Chelsea. More recently, Brighton & Hove Albion has joined this list—but only because they’ve never been relegated since their promotion in the 2017-18 season.
A Deeper Dive Into Relegation History
While these six clubs have never been relegated from the Premier League itself, they all experienced relegation in the years before the Premier League was formed. Here’s a quick overview of their last relegations and how long they’ve remained in the top flight since:
| Club | Last Top-Flight Relegation | Consecutive Top-League Seasons Since |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 1912-13 | 1919-20 to present |
| Everton | 1950-51 | 1954-55 to present |
| Liverpool | 1953-54 | 1962-63 to present |
| Manchester Utd | 1973-74 | 1975-76 to present |
| Tottenham | 1976-77 | 1978-79 to present |
| Chelsea | 1987-88 | 1989-90 to present |
| Brighton* | 1982-83 | 2017-18 to present |
*Brighton’s top-flight history is more recent compared to the others, with their current Premier League spell starting in 2017.
Clubs With Longest Unbroken Top Division Runs
- Arsenal holds the record for the longest continuous stay in England’s top division, having avoided relegation since 1919. The club was relegated once way back in 1912-13 (then Woolwich Arsenal) but bounced back quickly and has been a fixture at the top ever since.
- Everton and Liverpool have similarly storied histories, with Everton’s last relegation in 1950-51 and Liverpool’s in 1953-54. Both clubs have maintained a solid presence ever since returning to the top flight.
- Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also enjoyed long spells in the top division, avoiding relegation since the mid-1970s.
- Chelsea, though a bit more recent to achieve this milestone, have stayed in the top flight consistently since their last relegation in 1987-88.
What About Brighton?
Brighton & Hove Albion, unlike the others, is a newer Premier League presence, promoted in 2017 and never relegated since. However, their earlier stint in the First Division (1979-1983) ended with relegation.
Why It Matters
Never being relegated is a badge of honor that symbolises resilience, competitiveness, and top-tier quality. These clubs represent the heart of English football’s elite, standing strong through decades of ups and downs in the ever-evolving landscape of the sport.
For fans, it’s a point of pride, a historical marker that underscores their club’s pedigree and enduring legacy.
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