Top-Tier Football: Rises and Falls
In its 145 years, Port Vale F.C. has never managed to ascend to the top tier of English football, coming historically close only once during the 1996/1997 season finishing First Division (now renamed as the Championship) in an honourable eighth place. In fact, the club holds the record for most seasons in the English Football League without reaching the first tier.
Throughout the years, there have been many teams that have gone from obscurity into the top tiers of English football. For instance, in that outstanding 1996/1997 season, Port Vale outperformed the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City and Manchester City, all of which currently play in the Premier League.
In City’s case, and as a result of massive financial investment, the club has risen to the top of world football, with Champions League odds currently pricing the Citizens as the second-favourites to win the competition at odds of 7/2. Champions League betting tips place City as frontrunners after several impressive years under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, yet it’s important to remember that success wasn’t always a given. There have been many accomplishments over the last 30 years, but to put it in perspective, the side has progressed from the likes of the Second Division in 1998/1999 to winning five Premier League titles from 2011 to 2021.
Of course, in the case of City, the explanation is rather simple, as the club was purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group, but in other cases, stable administrations, strong confidence in head coaches, and the occasional luck in picking up decisive players are crucial factors in on-pitch success.
Tier Movement
Since the creation of the Premier League, there are three lower league teams that have been able to break into top tier football for one-year spells. These teams are Barnsley F.C., Blackpool F.C., and Swindon Town F.C. What’s particularly interesting to note is that after breaking into the EPL, all three clubs have eventually dropped as far as League Two.
While Barnsley and Blackpool have eventually restored their position in the Championship, Swindon Town have failed to reach the second tier of English football since 2000. In fact, the Robins have kept a similar record to that of Port Vale for the past few years.
This only goes to show how difficult it is to maintain performance levels, and how teams can easily move up or down. Moreover, although the Premier League is a stable competition, with many teams returning after relegation, that hasn’t always been the case. For instance, Blackburn Rovers, Premier League Champions in 1995, became the only former Premier League title-holders to get relegated all the way to the third tier.
Another surprising and well-known example is Nottingham Forest. The back-to-back European Champions became the first-ever European Cup winners to be relegated to the third tier.
These examples go to show how ever-changing and unpredictable football can be. Although Port Vale’s efforts on the pitch have not yet led them to the top tier of English football, much like other League One and Two clubs, their impact on local communities is visible. Regardless of results, these clubs have not lost sight of their sense of responsibility, proving how football is more than just a business.