Smallest Premier League Clubs in History: 2023 Edition
Among the smallest Premier League clubs ever is a Premier League title winner, and a team playing in an area ranked 258th for population size in England.
These clubs are punching above their weight, playing in the best league in the world. Let's take a look at the six smallest Premier League clubs in history.
6. Swindon Town FC
Positioned 71 miles (114 km) west of London, Swindon Town had a population of close to 170,000 during its only Premier League season*, making Swindon Town FC one of the smallest Premier League clubs of all time.
Former England Glenn Hoddle was player-manager at Swindon Town, and earned promotion to the Premier League after a fifth place finish in Division One, and a 4-3 win over Leicester City in the play-off final in 1993.
Only days after earning Premier League promotion however, Hoddle had accepted an offer to become manager at Chelsea.
The 1993-94 season was Swindon Towns' one and only season in the Premier League. It wasn't one of the worst seasons of all time, but it wasn't far away either.
A 7-1 hammering by Newcastle United, a 15- game winless streak, a 7-game losing streak, only five wins from 42 games, and a record 100 goals conceded sums up Swindon Towns' only Premier League season.
100 - Swindon Town conceded 100 goals in the 1993-94 season; the only side to ever let in triple-figures in a single Premier League campaign. Centurial. #OptaPLSeasons pic.twitter.com/ygnVQixjZV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 24, 2020
5. Blackburn Rovers
The Lancashire town of Blackburn had just over 137,000 people following their return to top flight football in 1992. It was the first time Blackburn Rovers were in the highest division since the mid-60s and just in time for the inaugural Premier League season.
Kenny Dalglish had rescued a faltering Blackburn after taking over in October 1991 in the second division. He had done enough to earn promotion after finishing 6th and winning a play-off final over Leicester City.
Blackburn's first year in the Premier League saw the arrival of Alan Shearer and they finished fourth. In the 1994-95 season, Blackburn Rovers became the smallest club ever to win the English Premier League.
Dalglish became only the fourth manager in history to win the top flight with two different clubs, after doing so with Liverpool before his time with Blackburn.
Alan Shearer, Blackburn Rovers, Premier League Record
1992/93 21 appearances 16 goals 1993/94 40 appearances 31 goals 1994/95 42 appearances 34 goals 1995/96 35 appearances 31 goals Total 138 appearances 112 goals Exceptional numbers 🙋♂️⚽️ #BRFCpic.twitter.com/Us0xxEdJoI — Football Remind (@FootballRemind) February 6, 2023
4. Wigan Athletic
The Greater Manchester town of Wigan had a population of around 103,000 when they earned promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2005.
One of the smallest Premier League clubs of all time, Wigan's promotion was a huge achievement for what's historically been a "rugby town".
Founded in 1932, Wigan were only elected into the Football League in 1978, and were playing fourth-tier football in 1997. A rapid rise saw Wigan promoted into the Premier League in 2005 under the ownership of Dave Whelen.
Wigan had an eight season stay in the Premier League and were relegated in 2013. They were the first team to ever win the FA Cup and suffer relegation in the same season.
In 2015 they'd suffer another relegation and would play in League One.
Wigan won the FA Cup on this day 2013pic.twitter.com/h32k2Ng0UX
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) May 11, 2020
3. Barnsley
Barnsley is a market town in South Yorkshire. Founded in 1887, most of Barnsley's history has been in the second tier, with the 1960's and 70's anchored to the bottom of the Football League.
In 1997 Barnsley finally made the top flight after earning promotion to the Premier League after a season that defied all odds. With a population of around 90,000 during that season, Barnsley is one of the smallest Premier League clubs ever.
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.
After only one season in the Premier League, Barnsley suffered relegation with a 19th place finish, but still managed to defeat Liverpool at Anfield, and Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on their way to reaching the quarter-finals.
A REMINDER:
Nicky Eaden ( @Eaden2 ) won promotion to the Premier League with Barnsley in 1996/97. pic.twitter.com/PmEtcGEbTQ — Football Remind (@FootballRemind) October 26, 2019
2. West Bromwich Albion
The market town of West Bromwich has a population of around 78,000. Founded in 1888, West Bromwich Albion have only been outside of the top two divisions for only one season in their entry history.
Despite only being a small town in the West Midlands, West Bromwich fans are recognised as being among the best supporters in England.
For one of the smallest Premier League clubs in history, West Bromwich have a strong support across the UK and the world, including supporter groups in Croatia, America, Malta and Dubai.
West Brom did win the First Division in 1919/20, but they started the Premier League era in the third tier, their only ever season outside the top two divisions.
Promotion to the Premier League for the first time was earned in 2001 they and earned their best ever finish in the 2012-13 season by finishing 8th.
1. Burnley
The Lancashire town of Burnley has a little over 73,000 people.and the district is ranked 258th by population in England.
Burnley is one of the best supported clubs per capita with crowds of over 20,000 cramming in at Turf Moor.
The club was one of the first clubs in England to become professional in 1883, and they've 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 in 1960, the maximum wage cap was removed and smaller towns like Burnley found it harded to compete financially against more populated towns and cities.
In 1986–87 they were very lucky not to have been relegated out of the Football League altogether with final day results going their way.
Burnley gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever in 2009, becoming the smallest club in Premier League history in the process.
For me, Dyche’s Burnley achievements are given nowhere near enough credit.
369 games 138 wins 100 draws 131 defeats Won promotion, they kept faith after relegation, promoted again in 2016, qualified for Europe in 2018, all on one of the smallest budgets in the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/TwZmFEAJPS — HLTCO (@HLTCO) January 22, 2021
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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.
Would not have thought that there are still clubs that are this small in the Premier League. Probs to them to keep it going!
Love the small teams. Sort of like Green Bay Packers in American sports
I always assumed it was bigger, it makes their exploits even more impressive. Always a tough team to beat when they were in the Prem and looks like they'll be back next year
Yep they've made Turf Moor a hard place to play at. Great to see when teams like this are in the top division. It's not the same vibe without them
Ya I always like to see the smaller teams do well...Unless they are playing Arsenal. Then I like to see them get hammered!!