Football is the most popular sport in the UK and regularly attracts large crowds to various weekly games. Football in the UK is divided into many different leagues throughout the various countries in the UK. In this article, we will explain the league system within England and some of the top clubs in each league.
The Premier League
This is the elite football league in English football. It is well sponsored by lucrative television deals, and the players are some of the most famous and well-paid sportsmen in the world. The current league champions are Liverpool, and previous winners include Manchester Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Championship
This is the next tier down from the Premier League, and all teams with the Championship aspire to achieve promotion to the top flight. Promotion from this league can be very lucrative, no matter what the size of the club. Also, relegation from the Premier League comes with “parachute payments” which are guaranteed and financially beneficial. Great teams in this league are Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday.
League One
This is the next tier, and in 2020, this league was finished mid-way through the season due to coronavirus pandemic. This decision was taken after all the clubs voted to end the games prematurely this season. This meant that Coventry City was crowned as League One champions and Rotherham secured the second automatic promotion place. Other notable clubs in this league include Portsmouth, Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers. A further play-off will take place to decide the other promoted clubs.
League Two
This is the final tier of the English Football League. Once again this season has been prematurely cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. After a vote, all of the participating clubs agreed to end the season without any further league games being played. Consequently, Swindon has been crowned as champions this season. Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle took the other two promotion places.