Introduction

This isn't something we normally do, but who could add anything to the sum of human knowledge on the English Premier League with all the rubbish being pushed out every day by the media? No, this is different, this is The Championship, the second tier of English football and invisible to most of the myopic media.

We did feel it worthwhile to offer a rundown of the clubs that make up the 2023-24 Championship. Some we know very well, most we have played on a pretty regular basis over the years and some we haven't. Whatever the circumstances this is shaping up to be a highly competitive season and those that think Saints will find it easy will very soon find out that it is a long way from that.

So, IBO regular writer Spot51 has done a fair bit of rummaging around and come up with this review of the clubs fighting for promotion to the Premier League and trying to avoid relegation to League One.

All twenty-four teams are listed below, in alphabetical order. If you want to look at just one of the teams, just click on the relevant button here

Birmingham City

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  • The Blues
  • Founded in 1875. Joined League in 1892 as Small Heath: Founder Member of Div 2.
  • Ground: St Andrew's (Capacity 29,805, but currently restricted to 19,000 due to stadium works).
  • Manager: Tony Mowbray (8 January 2024)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 17
    • 20 C 20
    • 21 C 18
    • 22 C 20
    • 23 C 17
  • Beat Villa in the 1963 League Cup final. Also won in 2011 and runners-up in 2001.
  • C/Div 2 Champions 1893, 1921, 1948 and 1955.
  • FA Cup finalists in 1931 and 1956.

Blackburn Rovers

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  • Rovers (or Riversiders)
  • Founded in 1875. Founder Member of Football League (1888).
  • Ground: Ewood Park (Capacity 31,363)
  • Manager: John Eustace (9 February 2024)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 15
    • 20 C 11
    • 21 C 15
    • 22 C 8
    • 23 C 7
  • Won P/Div 1 in 1912, 1945 and 1995. Runners up 1994.
  • Won FA Cup 1884/5/6, 1890/1 and 1928. Finalists 1882 and 1960.
  • Won C/Div 2 1939.
  • Won League Cup 2002 and Charity Shield 1912.
  • Best European season 2007: Won UEFA Group but lost to Leverkusen in a knockout.

Bristol City

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  • The Robins (or Cider Army)
  • Founded in 1894. Joined League 1901 in Div 2
  • Ground: Ashton Gate (Capacity 26,459)
  • Manager: Liam Manning (7 November 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 8
    • 20 C 12
    • 21 C 19
    • 22 C 17
    • 23 C 14
  • Div 2 Champions 1906
  • FA Cup finalists 1909
  • Anglo Scottish Cup won in 1978.

Cardiff City

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  • The Bluebirds
  • Founded in 1899. Joined Div 2 in 1920.
  • Ground: The Cardiff City Stadium (Capacity 33,280)
  • Manager: Erol Bulot (3 June 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 EPL 18
    • 20 C 5
    • 21 C 8
    • 22 C 18
    • 23 C 21
  • Won FA Cup and Charity Shield (1927) becoming the only non-English winners!
  • Runner up P/Div 1 1924. Won C/Div 2 2013.
  • FA Cup finalists in 1925 and 2008.
  • League Cup finalist 2012.

Coventry City

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  • The Sky Blues
  • Founded in 1883. Elected to Div 2 in 1919.
  • Ground: Coventry Building Society (Capacity 32,609)
  • Manager: Mark Robins (6 March 2017)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 L1 8
    • 20 L1 1
    • 21 C 16
    • 22 C 12
    • 23 C 5
  • C/Div 2 Winners 1967 then 34 years in Top Flight.
  • FA Cup winners 1987.
  • Best European campaign 1971 - lost in Fairs Cup 2nd round to Bayern.

Huddersfield Town

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  • The Terriers
  • Founded in 1908. Joined League Div 2 in 1910.
  • Ground: John Smith's Stadium (Capacity 24,329)
  • Caretaker Manager: Jon Worthington (Feb 2024)
  • Last five seasons:
    • 19 EPL 20
    • 20 C 18
    • 21 C 20
    • 22 C 3
    • 23 C 18
  • Won P/Div 1 1924, 25 & 26.
  • Runners up 1927, 28 and 1934.
  • FA Cup winners 1922. Finalists 1920, 28, 30 and 1938.

Hull City

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  • Tigers
  • Founded in 1904. Joined Div 2 in 1906.
  • Ground: MKM Stadium (Capacity 24,983)
  • Manager: Liam Rosenior (3 November 2022)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 15
    • 20 C 19
    • 21 L1 1
    • 22 C 19
    • 23 C 15
  • Three promotions to EPL 2008, 2013 and 2016.
  • FA Cup finalists 2014.

Ipswich Town

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  • Tractor Boys
  • Founded in 1878. Turned pro in 1936 then joined Div 3S in 1938.
  • Ground: Portman Road (Capacity 29,673)
  • Manager: Kieran McKenna (16 December 2021)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 24
    • 20 L1 11
    • 21 L1 9
    • 21 L1 11
    • 23 L1 2 (Promoted)
  • Won C/Div 2 1961 and P/Div 1 1962 under Alf Ramsey.
  • Also won C/Div 2 in 1968 and 1992.
  • P/Div 1 runners up 1981 and 1982.
  • Won FA Cup 1978 v Arsenal and UEFA Cup in 1981 v AZ Alkmaar.

Leeds United

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  • Dirty Leeds or, if pushed, The Whites
  • Founded in 1919 (Leeds City disbanded for illegal payments in WW1). Joined Div 2 in 1920.
  • Ground: Elland Road (Capacity 37,890)
  • Manager: Daniel Farke (4 July 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 3
    • 20 C 1
    • 21 EPL 9
    • 22 EPL 17
    • 23 EPL 19 (Relegated)
  • EPL/Div 1 Champions 1969, 1974 and 1992.
  • Runners up 1965, 66, 70, 71 and 1972.
  • C/Div 2 Champions 1924, 1964, 1990 and 2020.
  • Won League Cup 1968. Finalists 1996.
  • Won the FA Cup in 1971. Finalists 1965, 1970 and 1973.
  • Won Charity Shield in 1969 and 1992.
  • Reached 2 European finals: lost to Milan in ECWC 1973 and Bayern in 1975 European Cup.

Leicester City

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  • The Foxes.
  • Founded in 1884. Joined Div 2 in 1894.
  • Ground: King Power Stadium (Capacity 32,262)
  • Manager: Enzo Maresca (16 June 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 EPL 9
    • 20 EPL 5
    • 21 EPL 5
    • 22 EPL 8
    • 23 EPL 18 (Relegated)
  • EPL/Div 1 Champions 2016. Second 1929.
  • Div 2 1925, 37, 54, 57, 71, 80 and 2014.
  • FA Cup winner 2021. Finalist 1949, 61, 63 and 69.
  • League Cup winners 64, 97 and 2000. Finalists in 1965 and 1999.
  • Charity Shield 1971 & 2021.
  • Best European campaign 2022 UEFA Conference lost to Roma in the semi-final stage.

Middlesbrough

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  • The Boro
  • Founded in 1876. Joined Div 2 in 1899.
  • Ground: The Riverside (Capacity 33,931)
  • Manager: Michael Carrick (24 October 2022)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 7
    • 20 C 17
    • 21 C 10
    • 22 C 7
    • 23 C 4
  • C/Div 2 Winners 1927,29, 74 and 95.
  • League Cup winners 2004.
  • Runners up FA Cup 1997 and UEFA Cup 2006 (the first of Sevilla's 7 wins!)

Millwall

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  • The Lions
  • Founded in 1885. Joined Div 3 in 1920.
  • Ground: The Den (Capacity 19,369)
  • Manager: To be Appointed
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 21
    • 20 C 8
    • 21 C 11
    • 22 C 9
    • 23 C 8
  • C/Div 2 Champions 1988 (only promotion to top flight).
  • FA Cup finalists 2004.
  • Winners of the first 2 Southern Leagues (1895 and 1896).

Norwich City

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  • The Canaries
  • Founded in 1902. Joined Div 3 in 1920.
  • Ground: Carrow Road (Capacity 27,359)
  • Manager: David Wagner (6 January 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 1
    • 20 EPL 20
    • 21 C 1
    • 22 EPL 20
    • 23 C 13
  • Won League Cup 1962 & 1985. Finalists 1973 and 1975.
  • C/Div 2 Champions 1972, 88, 2004, 19 and 21.
  • Biggest European night: 2-1 away win v Bayern Munchen (1994 UEFA Cup).

Plymouth Argyle

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  • The Pilgrims
  • Founded in 1886. Joined Div 3 in 1920.
  • Ground: Home Park (Capacity 17,900)
  • Manager: Ian Foster (5 January 2024)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 L1 7
    • 20 L1 7
    • 21 L1 18
    • 22 L1 7
    • 23 L1 1 (Promoted)
  • 1/Div 3 Champions 1930, 52, 59, 2004 and 2023.
  • The other losing semi-finalists in the 84 FA Cup - should have been a Plymouth v Saints final!

Preston North End

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  • The Lillywhites (aka The *Invincibles)
  • Founded in 1880. Founder member FL 1888.
  • Ground: Deepdale (Capacity 23,404)
  • Manager: Ryan Lowe (7 December 2021)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 14
    • 20 C 9
    • 21 C 13
    • 22 C 13
    • 23 C 12
  • Signed first Scottish professionals.
  • Record score 26-0 v Hyde in 1887 FA Cup.
  • First FL and Cup "Double" 1889.
  • Won FL again in 1890 and called "The *Invincibles".
  • Won FA Cup again in 1938.
  • Won C/Div 2 1904, 1913 and 1951.

Queens Park Rangers

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  • The R's or Super Hoops.
  • Founded in 1882. Joined Div 3 1920.
  • Loftus Road (Capacity 18,439)
  • Manager: Martí Cifuentes Corvillo (30 October 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 19
    • 20 C 13
    • 21 C 9
    • 22 C 11
    • 23 C 20
  • Won Southern League 1908 and 1911.
  • League Cup winners 1967.
  • Won C/Div 2 1983 and 2011.
  • Runners up EPL/Div 1 (1976) and FA Cup (1982).
  • Best European run 1976 UEFA Cup lost to AEK Athens in quarter-finals.

Rotherham United

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  • The Millers
  • Founded in 1925. Joined Div 3 in 1925.
  • Ground: New York Stadium (Capacity 12,021)
  • Manager: Leam Richardson (11 December 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 22
    • 20 L1 2
    • 21 C 23
    • 22 L1 2
    • 23 C 19
  • Won 1/Div 3 1951 and 81.
  • Runner up in 2001, 20 and 22.
  • Losing finalists in the first League Cup final in 1961.

Sheffield Wednesday

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  • The Owls
  • Founded in 1867. Joined FKL Div 1 in 1892.
  • Ground: Hillsborough. (Capacity 34,854 temporarily reduced on safety grounds)
  • Manager: Danny Rohl (13 October 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 12
    • 20 C 16
    • 21 C 24
    • 22 L1 4
    • 23 L1 3 (Promoted through playoffs)
  • Alliance Champions 1890.
  • P/Div 1 Champions 1903, 1904, 1929 and 1930.
  • C/Div 2 Champions 1900, 1926, 1952, 1956 and 1959.
  • FA Cup winners 1896, 1907, and 1935. Finalists 1890, 1966 and 1993.
  • Charity Shield 1935.
  • Best European campaign 1962 Fairs Cup - lost to Barcelona at the quarter-final stage

Southampton

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  • The Saints
  • Founded 1885. Joined League 1920 in Div 3.
  • Ground: St Mary's Stadium (Cap: 32,384)
  • Manager: Russel Martin (21 June 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 EPL 16
    • 20 EPL 11
    • 21 EPL 15
    • 22 EPL 15
    • 23 EPL 20 (Relegated)
  • Southern League: 6 times 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1903 and 1904
  • Won FA Cup 1976. Finalists 1900, 02 and 2003
  • First Division / Premier League (level 1) Runners-up: 1984
  • Second Division / Championship (level 2) 2nd place promotion: 1966, 1978, 2012
  • Third Division / League One (level 3) 1922 (South), 1960. Runners-up in 2011
  • Football League Cup Runners-up: 1979, 2017
  • Full Members' Cup Runners-up: 1992
  • Football League Trophy 2010
  • Best European season 1977 reaching CWC quarter-finals where they lost to Anderlecht.

Stoke

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  • The Potters
  • Founded in 1868. Founder member of League (1888).
  • Ground: BET 365 Stadium (Capacity 30,089)
  • Manager: Steven Schumacher (19 December 2023)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 16
    • 20 C 15
    • 21 C 14
    • 22 C 14
    • 23 C 16
  • C/Div 2 winners 1923 and 1963.
  • FA Cup finalists 2011.
  • Won League Cup 1972; finalists 1964.

Sunderland

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  • The Black Cats
  • Founded in 1879. Joined League in 1891.
  • Ground: The Stadium of Light (Capacity 49,000)
  • Manager: Mike Dodds (Caretaker)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 L1 5
    • 20 L1 8
    • 21 L1 4
    • 22 L1 5 (promoted via playoffs)
    • 23 C 6
  • Won P/Div 1 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913 and 1936.
  • Runners up 1894, 1898, 1901, 1923 and 1935.
  • Won Charity Shield 1936.
  • Won C/Div 2 1976, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2005 and 2007.
  • Won FA Cup in 1937 and 1973. Finalists 1913 and 1992.
  • Only European campaign (1973 CWC) 2nd round exit to Sporting (Lisbon).

Swansea

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  • The Swans (or Jacks)
  • Founded 1912. Joined Div 3 in 1920.
  • Ground: Swansea.com Stadium (Capacity 21,088)
  • Manager: Luke Williams (5 January 2024)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 10
    • 20 C 6
    • 21 C 4
    • 22 C 15
    • 23 C 10
  • League Cup Winners 2013.
  • Europa League 2014 round of 32 lost to Napoli.
  • Won Welsh Cup 10 times. Entry to CWC 7 times. Best run to Round 2 in 1982 lost to PSG.

Watford

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  • The Hornets
  • Founded in 1881. Joined Div 3 in 1920.
  • Ground: Vicarage Road (Capacity 22,200)
  • Interim Head Coach: Tom Cleverley (9 March 2024)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 EPL 11
    • 20 EPL 19
    • 21 C 2
    • 22 EPL 19
    • 23 C 11
  • P/Div 1 runners-up 1983
  • FA Cup finalists in 1984 and 2019.
  • Best European run UEFA Cup 1984 beaten by Sparta Prague in round 3.

West Bromwich Albion

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  • The Throstles (or more commonly the Baggies)
  • Founded in 1878. EFL Founder member in 1888.
  • Ground: The Hawthorns (Capacity 26,850)
  • Manager: Carlos Corberán (25 October 2022)
  • Last 5 seasons:
    • 19 C 4
    • 20 C 2
    • 21 EPL 19
    • 22 C 10
    • 23 C 9
  • EPL/Div 1 winner 1920.
  • Runners up 1923 & 1954.
  • Charity Shield 1920 & 1953.
  • C/Div 2 champions 1902, 1911 and 2003.
  • League Cup winners 1986.
  • FA Cup winners 1888, 1892, 1931, 1954 and 1968.
  • Finalists 1886, 1887, 1895, 1912 and 1935.
  • Best European run 1979 UEFA Cup beaten in quarter-final by Red Star Belgrade.

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