Question

accybeme · 23-11-2014, 09:08

Which is the only club, who have so far never been relegated from the Top Flight of English Football?

VALAIRIAN · 23-11-2014, 09:53

Everton?

MikeA · 23-11-2014, 10:30

Stanley haven't. But are you thinking of Darwen who weren't relegated but weren't re-elected?

Redraine · 23-11-2014, 10:46

Arsenal?

mab · 23-11-2014, 10:56

Since the formation of the Football League in 1888, every club which has played in the top flight has at least one relegation to their credit. Since the 1992 formation of the Premier League as the new top division in England, the following have never been relegated from the Premier League:

Arsenal F.C., in top division continuously since 1919 (see above).
Everton F.C., the next longest-serving top-flight members (1954)
Liverpool F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Aston Villa F.C.
Chelsea F.C.
Stoke City F.C. (first promotion to the Premier League in 2008, last relegation from old First Division in 1985)
Swansea City A.F.C. (first promotion to the Premier League in 2011, last relegation from old First Division in 1983)

Of these, only Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have won the Premier League. Blackburn Rovers F.C. and Manchester City F.C. have also won the Premier League but suffered relegations from the Premier League in 2011 and 2003 respectively.

deeayess · 23-11-2014, 11:01

Going by the question it would have to be Arsenal as Darwen were relegated in season 1893/94 as below

1892-93 Not re-elected into First Division, but elected as a founder
member of Football League Division Two
Promoted after Test Match (Darwen 3 Notts County 2)
1893-94 Relegated after Test Match (Small Heath 3 Darwen 1)

Then again Arsenal were relegated in 1913 so, as above, it is no one

accybeme · 23-11-2014, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by mab

Since the formation of the Football League in 1888, every club which has played in the top flight has at least one relegation

to their credit. Since the 1992 formation of the Premier League as the new top division in England, the following have never been relegated from the Premier League:

Arsenal F.C., in top division continuously since 1919 (see above).
Everton F.C., the next longest-serving top-flight members (1954)
Liverpool F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Aston Villa F.C.
Chelsea F.C.
Stoke City F.C. (first promotion to the Premier League in 2008, last relegation from old First Division in 1985)
Swansea City A.F.C. (first promotion to the Premier League in 2011, last relegation from old First Division in 1983)

Of these, only Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have won the Premier League. Blackburn Rovers F.C. and Manchester City F.C. have also won the Premier League but suffered relegations from the Premier League in 2011 and 2003 respectively.

mab if my facts are correct no one has given the correct answer

accybeme · 23-11-2014, 12:39

I think I’m correct (I’ve been known to be wrong in the past)
Accrington were in their 5th season in 1892-93 when the club folded, having not been relegated they are the only team that has never been relegated from the top tier of English football

Lemur · 23-11-2014, 14:27

accrington stanley (1968) ltd

Greger · 23-11-2014, 14:36

Accybeme, I Think you did get it wrong. Accrington FC were indeed relegated as they lost a test match to Sheffield United after finishing 15th. They then resigned from the Second Division!

accybeme · 23-11-2014, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greger

Accybeme, I Think you did get it wrong. Accrington FC were indeed relegated as they lost a test match to Sheffield United after finishing 15th. They then resigned from the Second Division!

mostly true
but Accrington did resign rather than taking a place in league 2 so in fact they did not get relegated otherwise they would have played in league 2 1893/94

deeayess · 23-11-2014, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by accybeme

mostly true
but Accrington did resign rather than taking a place in league 2 so in fact they did not get relegated otherwise they would have played in league 2 1893/94

I would disagree. they were relegated from the top flight they just chose not to accept a place in the lower league. Playing in the lower league is a consequence of relegation not the act of relegation.

Chimer · 23-11-2014, 18:32

Just think, if th'owd reds hadn't resigned then, the world would never have heard the name Accrington Stanley ...

and we wouldn't have to have the repeated stupid argument about whether "we" were founder members of the league

(to which my answer is "yes"!)

Greger · 24-11-2014, 23:15

Well you're still wrong, Accybeme, because Accrington DID accept a Place in the lower League. They were scheduled to play Liverpool at Anfield in the first game in the Second Division. They played their first First Division game there five years earlier but against Everton. And it is not unreasonable to consider Stanley founder members. They made a very conscious decision to "adopt" the old club when they became memers of the Lancashire Combination, also adopting the red shirts. And if you check old programmes, annuals etc pre-1962, Stanley's birthdate is usually given as 1878.