Football League First Division

Football League First Division
Organising bodyThe Football League
Founded17 April 1888
Folded2004
CountryEngland
Other club(s) fromWales
Number of teams24 (1992–1992)
Level on pyramid1 (1888–1992)
2 (1992–2004)
Promotion toPremier League
(1992–2004)
Relegation toSecond Division
Domestic cup(s)FA Cup
FA Community Shield
League cup(s)League Cup
International cup(s)European Cup
(1956–1985, 1991–1992)
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
(1960–1985, 1990–1999)
UEFA Cup
(1971–1985, 1990–2004)
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
(1955–1971)
Last championsLeeds United (1st tier)
(1991–92)
Norwich City (2nd tier)
(2003–04)
Most championshipsLiverpool
(18 titles)
Most appearancesPeter Shilton (849)
Top goalscorerJimmy Greaves (357)

The Football League First Division was a division of the Football League in England from 1888 until 2004. It was the top division in the English football league system until the end of the 1991-92 season, at which point all of its teams broke away to form the Premier League. From 1992 to 2004, the name First Division was given to what had previously been called the Second Division. After the 2003–04 season, the division was renamed the Football League Championship (now EFL Championship).

The First Division contained between 12 and 24 clubs, playing each other home and away in a double round robin. The competition was based on two points for a win from 1888 until the increase to three points for a win in 1981.


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