The 6 Smallest English Premier League Teams Ever (Part 2)
G'day Hive! Yesterday, I wrote the first part of the smallest Premier League clubs to play in the league which you can check here. Let's take a look at the final three smallest of them all. Can you guess who the smallest club in Premier League history is before you read any further?
3. Barnsley
Most of Barnsley's history has been spent in the second tier, with the 1960's and 70's spent in the bottom of the Football League. After trying for 99 years, Barnsley finally made the top flight after earning promotion to the Premier League. They would succumb to relegation finishing in 19th position but not without defeating Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup, and reaching the quarter-finals.
Barnsley is a market town in South Yorkshire with a population of just over 91,000. Despite their size, the town's football club punches well above their weight and have developed a reputation over the years of being FA Cup giant-killers.
Barnsley have played only the one season in the EPL but have solidified themselves just outside the top flight in recent years.
Source: Photo by EclecticArkie
2. West Bromwich Albion
The market town of West Bromwich has a population of around 78,000. Founded in 1888, West Bromwich Albion have a phenomenal history having been within the top two divisions for their entire history; with the exception of a single season in the renamed Division Two in 1992/93. Despite being a small town in the West Midlands, West Brom fans are considered to be among the best supporters in England as voted by their peers, and they have strong support across the UK and the world, with supporter groups in Croatia, America, Malta and Dubai to name a few.
West Brom won the First Division in 1919/20 but they started the Premier League era in the third tier. They would earn promotion to the EPL for the first time for the 2001/02 season, and earned their best ever finish in 2012/13, finishing 8th place. The club also shares ferocious rivalries with nearby Wolverhampton and Aston Villa.
West Brom have a remarkable record of only one season outside the top two divisions since 1888.
Source: Photo by EclecticArkie
1. Burnley
The Lancashire town of Burnley has a little over 73,000 people, and the district is ranked 274th by population in England. They however remain one of the best supported clubs per capita with crowds of over 20,000. Burnley have quite a history, becoming one of the first clubs in England to become professional in 1883. The Clarets have also won the first division twice - in 1920/21 and 1959/60 - and the FA Cup once in 1913/14.
Shortly after Burnley's second league championship, the maximum wage cap was scrapped and smaller towns found it increasingly difficult to compete financially against more populated towns and cities. In 1986–87 they would have got relegated out of the Football League entirely for the first time in their history, had it not been for a win over Leyton Orient and another result going their way. In 2009 Burnley would gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history, and a return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.
For a small town, Burnley are punching well above their weight and are one of the best supported clubs in England per capita.
Source: Photo by EclecticArkie
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
Wow so burnley is the smallest, i personally like burnley because of the fighting spirit the team possesses.
I mean many people thought that they would have been relegated from the premier league long ago but they are still there today.
Yep they just keep on going don't they. Gotta love an underdog like that
Burnley are suffering this season in the English Premier League ,Like the last seasons, except for the 2019/2020 season
They've got a couple games in hand to try and make it right
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Great to see names that is not heard prominently, but you brought that forth.
I read a quite of your blog, and that felt lovely to read.
Good to hear thanks for reading!
Wow, I'm surprised by Burnley and West Brom. I never realised how small they were. I figured Swindon would be one alright. Another great post 👍
Thanks mate
Thought Charlton would definitely feature as they are seriously small and know the stadium well as it was in the London area I used to cover. Maybe they were not in the Premier League before it was established and relegated.
Hi mate, I did class Charlton as a part of London so didn't include them for that reasons. Same with Brentford
I get that but if you saw where they are situated on the south side of the Thames their support is seriously small being Plumstead and Thamesmead. A shitty part of London with literally 2 suburbs isolated from the rest. Great article and a different perspective which we all appreciate.
Wow I never knew, thanks for sharing. Considering that, Charlton are pretty big then considering they're limited to two suburbs. They have supporters around the world!
No wonder Burnley are tough and tightly knitted. They are a small group but with incredible spirit.
Good read would not have thought west brom would be on the list.