• Sat. Oct 5th, 2024

EFL Championship History

Byadmin

Jun 24, 2023 #EFL

The English Football League Championship, commonly known as the EFL Championship, is the second-highest division in the English football league system, after the Premier League. The league features 24 teams, and the top two teams are automatically promoted to the Premier League each season. The next four teams compete in a playoff competition, with the winner gaining promotion to the Premier League.

The EFL Championship has a rich history, having been formed in 2004 following a major restructuring of the English football league system. Before this, the second-highest division was the Football League First Division, which was the top division before the formation of the Premier League in 1992. The EFL Championship inherited the clubs and format of the First Division, while a new third division, the Football League One, was created below it.

The first winners of the EFL Championship were Sunderland, who finished top of the division in the 2004-05 season. They were followed by Reading in the 2005-06 season, who achieved a record-breaking 106 points and 33 wins in a season. Other notable winners of the EFL Championship include Wolverhampton Wanderers, who won the title in 2017-18 before going on to finish seventh in their first season in the Premier League, and Norwich City, who won the title in 2018-19 with a record-breaking 94 points.

The EFL Championship has also seen its fair share of drama, particularly in the playoff competition which determines the final promotion place to the Premier League. Memorable moments include Crystal Palace’s comeback from 2-0 down to 3-2 up in the final against Watford in 2013, and Brentford’s last-minute failure to gain promotion in the 2020 playoff final, when they conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the match to lose 2-1 to Fulham.

One of the most notable aspects of the EFL Championship is the competitiveness of the league. With 24 teams competing for promotion, results can be unpredictable and any team can beat any other on their day. This is particularly true in recent seasons, with the gap between the top teams and the rest of the division narrowing. Teams that might have been considered outsiders a few years ago, such as Brentford and Sheffield United, have since gained promotion to the Premier League and made an impact in the top division.

The EFL Championship has also been home to some notable players over the years. Past winners of the Championship Player of the Year award, which is voted for by the players in the division, include Steven Gerrard, Kevin Phillips, and Matej Vydra. Many players who have shone in the Championship have gone on to have successful careers in the Premier League and beyond, such as Jamie Vardy, who helped lead Leicester City to an improbable Premier League title in 2016, and Callum Wilson, who has since become a regular for the England national team.

The EFL Championship is also known for its passionate supporters and lively matchday atmospheres. Fans of clubs such as Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, and Derby County are renowned for their vocal support, and away fans can often face intimidating atmospheres when visiting their grounds. This is part of what makes the EFL Championship such an exciting and unpredictable league to follow.

Despite its many successes, the EFL Championship does face some challenges. Due to the financial rewards on offer in the Premier League, many clubs in the EFL Championship have struggled with debt and financial instability. This has led to calls for greater financial controls and more support for clubs in the division. Another challenge facing the EFL Championship is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many clubs to play behind closed doors and has had a significant financial impact on the league as a whole.

However, despite these challenges, the EFL Championship remains one of the most exciting and unpredictable football leagues in the world. With its fiercely competitive teams, passionate supporters, and rich history, it continues to attract attention from fans around the globe.

AUGUST 4

Sheffield Wednesday v Southampton (8pm)

AUGUST 5

Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion

Bristol City v Preston North End

Middlesbrough v Millwall

Norwich City v Hull City

Plymouth Argyle v Huddersfield Town

Queens Park Rangers v Watford

Stoke City v Rotherham United

Swansea City v Birmingham City

AUGUST 6

Leicester City v Coventry City (12pm)

Leeds United v Cardiff City (2.30pm)

Sunderland v Ipswich Town (5pm)

AUGUST 12

Birmingham City v Leeds United

Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers

Coventry City v Middlesbrough

Huddersfield Town v Leicester City

Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday

Ipswich Town v Stoke City

Millwall v Bristol City

Preston North End v Sunderland

Rotherham United v Blackburn Rovers

Southampton v Norwich City

Watford v Plymouth Argyle

West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City

AUGUST 19

Blackburn Rovers v Hull City

Bristol City v Birmingham City

Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion

Leicester City v Cardiff City

Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Town

Norwich City v Millwall

Plymouth Argyle v Southampton

Queens Park Rangers v Ipswich Town

Sheffield Wednesday v Preston North End

Stoke City v Watford

Sunderland v Rotherham United

Swansea City v Coventry City

AUGUST 26

Birmingham City v Plymouth Argyle

Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday

Coventry City v Sunderland

Huddersfield Town v Norwich City

Hull City v Bristol City

Ipswich Town v Leeds United

Millwall v Stoke City

Preston North End v Swansea City

Rotherham United v Leicester City

Southampton v Queens Park Rangers

Watford v Blackburn Rovers

West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough

SEPTEMBER 2

Birmingham City v Millwall

Coventry City v Watford

Ipswich Town v Cardiff City

Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday

Leicester City v Hull City

Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers

Plymouth Argyle v Blackburn Rovers

Rotherham United v Norwich City

Stoke City v Preston North End

Sunderland v Southampton

Swansea City v Bristol City

West Bromwich Albion v Huddersfield Town

SEPTEMBER 16

Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough

Bristol City v West Bromwich Albion

Cardiff City v Swansea City

Huddersfield Town v Rotherham United

Hull City v Coventry City

Millwall v Leeds United

Norwich City v Stoke City

Preston North End v Plymouth Argyle

Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland

Sheffield Wednesday v Ipswich Town

Southampton v Leicester City

Watford v Birmingham City

SEPTEMBER 19 (7.45pm)

Bristol City v Plymouth Argyle

Cardiff City v Coventry City

Preston North End v Birmingham City

Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City

Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough

Southampton v Ipswich Town

SEPTEMBER 20 (7.45pm)

Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland

Huddersfield Town v Stoke City

Hull City v Leeds United

Millwall v Rotherham United

Norwich City v Leicester City

Watford v West Bromwich Albion

SEPTEMBER 23

Birmingham City v Queens Park Rangers

Coventry City v Huddersfield Town

Ipswich Town v Blackburn Rovers

Leeds United v Watford

Leicester City v Bristol City

Middlesbrough v Southampton

Plymouth Argyle v Norwich City

Rotherham United v Preston North End

Stoke City v Hull City

Sunderland v Cardiff City

Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday

West Bromwich Albion v Millwall

SEPTEMBER 30

Blackburn Rovers v Leicester City

Bristol City v Stoke City

Cardiff City v Rotherham United

Huddersfield Town v Ipswich Town

Hull City v Plymouth Argyle

Millwall v Swansea City

Norwich City v Birmingham City

Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion

Queens Park Rangers v Coventry City

Sheffield Wednesday v Sunderland

Southampton v Leeds United

Watford v Middlesbrough

OCTOBER 3 (7.45pm)

Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town

Ipswich Town v Hull City

Middlesbrough v Cardiff City

Plymouth Argyle v Millwall

Stoke City v Southampton

West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday (8pm)

OCTOBER 4 (7.45pm)

Coventry City v Blackburn Rovers

Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers

Leicester City v Preston North End

Rotherham United v Bristol City

Sunderland v Watford

Swansea City v Norwich City

OCTOBER 7

Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion

Cardiff City v Watford

Coventry City v Norwich City

Ipswich Town v Preston North End

Leeds United v Bristol City

Leicester City v Stoke City

Millwall v Hull City

Plymouth Argyle v Swansea City

Queens Park Rangers v Blackburn Rovers

Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town

Southampton v Rotherham United

Sunderland v Middlesbrough

OCTOBER 21

Blackburn Rovers v Cardiff City

Bristol City v Coventry City

Huddersfield Town v Queens Park Rangers

Hull City v Southampton

Middlesbrough v Birmingham City

Norwich City v Leeds United

Preston North End v Millwall

Rotherham United v Ipswich Town

Stoke City v Sunderland

Swansea City v Leicester City

Watford v Sheffield Wednesday

West Bromwich Albion v Plymouth Argyle

OCTOBER 24 (7.45pm)

Huddersfield Town v Cardiff City

Leicester City v Sunderland

Millwall v Blackburn Rovers

Norwich City v Middlesbrough

Swansea City v Watford

West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers (8pm)

OCTOBER 25 (7.45pm)

Birmingham City v Hull City

Bristol City v Ipswich Town

Plymouth Argyle v Sheffield Wednesday

Preston North End v Southampton

Rotherham United v Coventry City

Stoke City v Leeds United

OCTOBER 28

Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City

Cardiff City v Bristol City

Coventry City v West Bromwich Albion

Hull City v Preston North End

Ipswich Town v Plymouth Argyle

Leeds United v Huddersfield Town

Middlesbrough v Stoke City

Queens Park Rangers v Leicester City

Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham United

Southampton v Birmingham City

Sunderland v Norwich City

Watford v Millwall

NOVEMBER 4

Birmingham City v Ipswich Town

Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday

Huddersfield Town v Watford

Leicester City v Leeds United

Millwall v Southampton

Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers

Plymouth Argyle v Middlesbrough

Preston North End v Coventry City

Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers

Stoke City v Cardiff City

Swansea City v Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

NOVEMBER 11

Blackburn Rovers v Preston North End

Cardiff City v Norwich City

Coventry City v Stoke City

Hull City v Huddersfield Town

Ipswich Town v Swansea City

Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle

Middlesbrough v Leicester City

Queens Park Rangers v Bristol City

Sheffield Wednesday v Millwall

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

Sunderland v Birmingham City

Watford v Rotherham United

NOVEMBER 25

Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday

Bristol City v Middlesbrough

Huddersfield Town v Southampton

Leicester City v Watford

Millwall v Coventry City

Norwich City v Queens Park Rangers

Plymouth Argyle v Sunderland

Preston North End v Cardiff City

Rotherham United v Leeds United

Stoke City v Blackburn Rovers

Swansea City v Hull City

West Bromwich Albion v Ipswich Town

NOVEMBER 28 (7.45pm)

Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion

Coventry City v Plymouth Argyle

Hull City v Rotherham United

Middlesbrough v Preston North End

Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City

Watford v Norwich City

NOVEMBER 29 (7.45pm)

Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City

Ipswich Town v Millwall

Leeds United v Swansea City

Sheffield Wednesday v Leicester City

Southampton v Bristol City

Sunderland v Huddersfield Town

DECEMBER 2

Birmingham City v Rotherham United

Bristol City v Norwich City

Hull City v Watford

Ipswich Town v Coventry City

Leeds United v Middlesbrough

Millwall v Sunderland

Plymouth Argyle v Stoke City

Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers

Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers

Southampton v Cardiff City

Swansea City v Huddersfield Town

West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City

DECEMBER 9

Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United

Cardiff City v Millwall

Coventry City v Birmingham City

Huddersfield Town v Bristol City

Leicester City v Plymouth Argyle

Middlesbrough v Ipswich Town

Norwich City v Preston North End

Queens Park Rangers v Hull City

Rotherham United v Swansea City

Stoke City v Sheffield Wednesday

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion

Watford v Southampton

DECEMBER 12 (7.45pm)

Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City

Huddersfield Town v Preston North End

Rotherham United v West Bromwich Albion

Stoke City v Swansea City

Sunderland v Leeds United

Watford v Ipswich Town

DECEMBER 13 (7.45pm)

Cardiff City v Birmingham City

Coventry City v Southampton

Leicester City v Millwall

Middlesbrough v Hull City

Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday

Queens Park Rangers v Plymouth Argyle

DECEMBER 16

Birmingham City v Leicester City

Bristol City v Sunderland

Hull City v Cardiff City

Ipswich Town v Norwich City

Leeds United v Coventry City

Millwall v Huddersfield Town

Plymouth Argyle v Rotherham United

Preston North End v Watford

Sheffield Wednesday v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v Blackburn Rovers

Swansea City v Middlesbrough

West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City

DECEMBER 23

Blackburn Rovers v Watford

Bristol City v Hull City

Leeds United v Ipswich Town

Leicester City v Rotherham United

Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion

Norwich City v Huddersfield Town

Plymouth Argyle v Birmingham City

Queens Park Rangers v Southampton

Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City

Stoke City v Millwall

Sunderland v Coventry City

Swansea City v Preston North End

DECEMBER 26

Birmingham City v Stoke City

Cardiff City v Plymouth Argyle

Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday

Huddersfield Town v Blackburn Rovers

Hull City v Sunderland

Ipswich Town v Leicester City

Millwall v Queens Park Rangers

Preston North End v Leeds United

Rotherham United v Middlesbrough

Southampton v Swansea City

Watford v Bristol City

West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City

DECEMBER 29

Birmingham City v Bristol City

Cardiff City v Leicester City

Coventry City v Swansea City

Huddersfield Town v Middlesbrough

Hull City v Blackburn Rovers

Ipswich Town v Queens Park Rangers

Millwall v Norwich City

Preston North End v Sheffield Wednesday

Rotherham United v Sunderland

Southampton v Plymouth Argyle

Watford v Stoke City

West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United

JANUARY 1

Blackburn Rovers v Rotherham United

Bristol City v Millwall

Leeds United v Birmingham City

Leicester City v Huddersfield Town

Middlesbrough v Coventry City

Norwich City v Southampton

Plymouth Argyle v Watford

Queens Park Rangers v Cardiff City

Sheffield Wednesday v Hull City

Stoke City v Ipswich Town

Sunderland v Preston North End

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

JANUARY 13

Birmingham City v Swansea City

Cardiff City v Leeds United

Coventry City v Leicester City

Huddersfield Town v Plymouth Argyle

Hull City v Norwich City

Ipswich Town v Sunderland

Millwall v Middlesbrough

Preston North End v Bristol City

Rotherham United v Stoke City

Southampton v Sheffield Wednesday

Watford v Queens Park Rangers

West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers

JANUARY 20

Blackburn Rovers v Huddersfield Town

Bristol City v Watford

Leeds United v Preston North End

Leicester City v Ipswich Town

Middlesbrough v Rotherham United

Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

Plymouth Argyle v Cardiff City

Queens Park Rangers v Millwall

Sheffield Wednesday v Coventry City

Stoke City v Birmingham City

Sunderland v Hull City

Swansea City v Southampton

JANUARY 27

Birmingham City v Middlesbrough

Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers

Coventry City v Bristol City

Ipswich Town v Rotherham United

Leeds United v Norwich City

Leicester City v Swansea City

Millwall v Preston North End

Plymouth Argyle v West Bromwich Albion

Queens Park Rangers v Huddersfield Town

Sheffield Wednesday v Watford

Southampton v Hull City

Sunderland v Stoke City

FEBRUARY 3

Blackburn Rovers v Queens Park Rangers

Bristol City v Leeds United

Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday

Hull City v Millwall

Middlesbrough v Sunderland

Norwich City v Coventry City

Preston North End v Ipswich Town

Rotherham United v Southampton

Stoke City v Leicester City

Swansea City v Plymouth Argyle

Watford v Cardiff City

West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City

FEBRUARY 10

Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City

Cardiff City v Preston North End

Coventry City v Millwall

Hull City v Swansea City

Ipswich Town v West Bromwich Albion

Leeds United v Rotherham United

Middlesbrough v Bristol City

Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City

Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham City

Southampton v Huddersfield Town

Sunderland v Plymouth Argyle

Watford v Leicester City

FEBRUARY 13 (7.45pm)

Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers

Bristol City v Southampton

Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday

Norwich City v Watford

Rotherham United v Hull City

Swansea City v Leeds United

FEBRUARY 14 (7.45pm)

Huddersfield Town v Sunderland

Millwall v Ipswich Town

Plymouth Argyle v Coventry City

Preston North End v Middlesbrough

Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers

West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City (8pm)

FEBRUARY 17

Birmingham City v Sunderland

Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers

Huddersfield Town v Hull City

Leicester City v Middlesbrough

Millwall v Sheffield Wednesday

Norwich City v Cardiff City

Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United

Preston North End v Blackburn Rovers

Rotherham United v Watford

Stoke City v Coventry City

Swansea City v Ipswich Town

West Bromwich Albion v Southampton

FEBRUARY 24

Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City

Cardiff City v Stoke City

Coventry City v Preston North End

Hull City v West Bromwich Albion

Ipswich Town v Birmingham City

Leeds United v Leicester City

Middlesbrough v Plymouth Argyle

Queens Park Rangers v Rotherham United

Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City

Southampton v Millwall

Sunderland v Swansea City

Watford v Huddersfield Town

MARCH 2

Birmingham City v Southampton

Bristol City v Cardiff City

Huddersfield Town v Leeds United

Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers

Millwall v Watford

Norwich City v Sunderland

Plymouth Argyle v Ipswich Town

Preston North End v Hull City

Rotherham United v Sheffield Wednesday

Stoke City v Middlesbrough

Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers

West Bromwich Albion v Coventry City

MARCH 5 (7.45pm)

Blackburn Rovers v Millwall

Coventry City v Rotherham United

Hull City v Birmingham City

Ipswich Town v Bristol City

Leeds United v Stoke City

Sunderland v Leicester City

MARCH 6 (7.45pm)

Cardiff City v Huddersfield Town

Middlesbrough v Norwich City

Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion

Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth Argyle

Southampton v Preston North End

Watford v Swansea City

MARCH 9

Blackburn Rovers v Plymouth Argyle

Bristol City v Swansea City

Cardiff City v Ipswich Town

Huddersfield Town v West Bromwich Albion

Hull City v Leicester City

Millwall v Birmingham City

Norwich City v Rotherham United

Preston North End v Stoke City

Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough

Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United

Southampton v Sunderland

Watford v Coventry City

MARCH 16

Birmingham City v Watford

Coventry City v Hull City

Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday

Leeds United v Millwall

Leicester City v Southampton

Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers

Plymouth Argyle v Preston North End

Rotherham United v Huddersfield Town

Stoke City v Norwich City

Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers

Swansea City v Cardiff City

West Bromwich Albion v Bristol City

MARCH 29

Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich Town

Bristol City v Leicester City

Cardiff City v Sunderland

Huddersfield Town v Coventry City

Hull City v Stoke City

Millwall v West Bromwich Albion

Norwich City v Plymouth Argyle

Preston North End v Rotherham United

Queens Park Rangers v Birmingham City

Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City

Southampton v Middlesbrough

Watford v Leeds United

APRIL 1

Birmingham City v Preston North End

Coventry City v Cardiff City

Ipswich Town v Southampton

Leeds United v Hull City

Leicester City v Norwich City

Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday

Plymouth Argyle v Bristol City

Rotherham United v Millwall

Stoke City v Huddersfield Town

Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers

Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers

West Bromwich Albion v Watford

APRIL 6

Blackburn Rovers v Southampton

Cardiff City v Hull City

Coventry City v Leeds United

Huddersfield Town v Millwall

Leicester City v Birmingham City

Middlesbrough v Swansea City

Norwich City v Ipswich Town

Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday

Rotherham United v Plymouth Argyle

Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion

Sunderland v Bristol City

Watford v Preston North End

APRIL 9 (7.45pm)

Leeds United v Sunderland

Millwall v Leicester City

Plymouth Argyle v Queens Park Rangers

Preston North End v Huddersfield Town

Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich City

Southampton v Coventry City

APRIL 10 (7.45pm)

Birmingham City v Cardiff City

Bristol City v Blackburn Rovers

Hull City v Middlesbrough

Ipswich Town v Watford

Swansea City v Stoke City

West Bromwich Albion v Rotherham United (8pm)

APRIL 13

Birmingham City v Coventry City

Bristol City v Huddersfield Town

Hull City v Queens Park Rangers

Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough

Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers

Millwall v Cardiff City

Plymouth Argyle v Leicester City

Preston North End v Norwich City

Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City

Southampton v Watford

Swansea City v Rotherham United

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland

APRIL 20

Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield Wednesday

Cardiff City v Southampton

Coventry City v Ipswich Town

Huddersfield Town v Swansea City

Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion

Middlesbrough v Leeds United

Norwich City v Bristol City

Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End

Rotherham United v Birmingham City

Stoke City v Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland v Millwall

Watford v Hull City

APRIL 27

Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City

Bristol City v Rotherham United

Cardiff City v Middlesbrough

Huddersfield Town v Birmingham City

Hull City v Ipswich Town

Millwall v Plymouth Argyle

Norwich City v Swansea City

Preston North End v Leicester City

Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United

Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion

Southampton v Stoke City

Watford v Sunderland

MAY 4

Birmingham City v Norwich City

Coventry City v Queens Park Rangers

Ipswich Town v Huddersfield Town

Leeds United v Southampton

Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers

Middlesbrough v Watford

Plymouth Argyle v Hull City

Rotherham United v Cardiff City

Stoke City v Bristol City

Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday

By admin