The Football League

The Football League (often referred to as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons) is a league competition for English football (soccer) clubs (though a few Welsh clubs also take part) containing three divisions (the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League Two) that occupy the second, third and fourth levels of the English football league system (below the FA Premier League, but above the Football Conference). In addition to the main competition, the League also organises two knockout cup competitions, the Football League Cup and the Football League Trophy.

Overview

The Football League represents 72 professional football clubs in England and Wales, and runs the oldest professional football league competition in the world. It also organises two knockout cup competitions. The Football League was founded in 1888 with 12 member clubs, but steady growth and the addition of more divisions meant that by 1959 the League had 92 clubs. Financial considerations led to a major shake-up in 1992 when, in a step to maximise their revenue, the leading members of The Football League broke away to form their own competition, the FA Premier League. The Football League therefore no longer represents the top 20 clubs who belong to this group, although promotion and relegation between The Football League and the FA Premier League continues.

Related Topics:
Football - England - Wales - FA Premier League

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~