Of the 12 founding members of the Football League 8 will be in the Championship for 2026-27.

Only the original big city clubs of Aston Villa and Everton remain in the Premier League.

No founder members in League One, but Notts County and the reformed Accrington in League Two.

All the Championship clubs were in the Football League in 1926-27, and here are their positions in that season.

Division- position club:

1-4 Bolton Wanderers, 1-5 Burnley, 1-6 West Ham United,, 1-8 Sheffield United, 1-12 Derby County, 1-14 Cardiff City, 1-17Birmingham City, 1-18 Blackburn Rovers, 1-22 West Bromwich Albion, 2-1 Middlesbrough, 2-2 Portsmouth, 2-6 Preston North End, 2-12 Swansea Town (now City), 2-13 Southampton, 2-15 Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3S-1 Bristol City, 3N-1 Stoke City, 3S-3 Millwall, 3N-11 Lincoln City, 3S-13 Charlton Athletic, 3N-13 Wrexham, 3S-14 Queens Park Rangers, 3S-16 Norwich City, 3S-21 Watford.

Until we make new signings my mind feels like given our current squad it'd be bottom half, not saying relegated 'cos a lot of teams survive the jump up the following season, but given we ended up very far behind the top 2 and that was with a lot of late goals too to get points, I think we need to bring in a lot of quality and hopefully our star loans can return if possible.

I know we've had a lot of draws that should have been wins and a lot of performances that you'd think would beat a lot of championship sides on the day, but a theme of our season was never truly being able to put teams to bed and for like 90% of the games they were very close until we pulled out our rescue acts (quite fitting our last goal was a 90+er)

clubs in a good headspace right now, but it can change quickly, not allowing myself to think about the prem as that might take several years given how long it's taken us to get back to the Champ, but that must be the aim in the long run given the object of football is to win games and thus promotion comes if those objectives are achieved.

Gonna be an interesting transfer window this.

Edited May 26May 26 by Didledee

21 minutes ago, Didledee said:

Until we make new signings my mind feels like given our current squad it'd be bottom half, not saying relegated 'cos a lot of teams survive the jump up the following season, but given we ended up very far behind the top 2 and that was with a lot of late goals too to get points, I think we need to bring in a lot of quality and hopefully our star loans can return if possible.

I know we've had a lot of draws that should have been wins and a lot of performances that you'd think would beat a lot of championship sides on the day, but a theme of our season was never truly being able to put teams to bed and for like 90% of the games they were very close until we pulled out our rescue acts (quite fitting our last goal was a 90+er)

clubs in a good headspace right now, but it can change quickly, not allowing myself to think about the prem as that might take several years given how long it's taken us to get back to the Champ, but that must be the aim in the long run given the object of football is to win games and thus promotion comes if those objectives are achieved.

Gonna be an interesting transfer window this.

 

I think they'll prioritise the defence, needs a complete overhaul, and the only positions schuy hasn't changed 

apart from wrexham, can't see much hassle with away tickets next season 

can't see the same appetite for lincoln again

14 minutes ago, L/H White said:

apart from wrexham, can't see much hassle with away tickets next season 

can't see the same appetite for lincoln again

QPR might be a struggle depending on how we’re doing

Looking at the local games is great for us 

Plymouth in League however, their nearest game is Reading. That is 181 miles away 

6 hours ago, Spider said:

It’s like Bolton. Fucking rank in the built up areas but some of the countryside as you drive beyond the fringes is the best in England.

Absolutely, the forest and trough of Bowland are magical and the villages and pubs around Pendle Hill excellent for both food and ales. Even through Colne and over to Leeds are scenic. Now Burnley itself ………?

11 hours ago, tomski said:

Teams who go up in this division tend to stay up. Remember someone will financially implode like they do every season. Nothing to fear

That will be interesting to see.  In recent years the likes of us, Reading, Wigan, Sheff Wed, Leicester, WBA, Birmingham, Rotherham, maybe Pompey and Coventry but can't be sure have helped others by having points deducted.  It will feel unfair if there are none next season and we have to compete on a level playing field!

11 hours ago, Eddie said:

What I’d give to see Blackburn away first game of the season. Sun out, 7k Bolton fans, we’re on a full upper whilst they’re exactly the opposite - start next season where we left off this one.

Just to manage expectations of the day of the game, I guarantee Blackburn v Bolton will be on Sky, and even if its not, best we can hope for is a 12.30 KO on a Saturday.  Or a Friday night, not sure which I prefer, but it won't be 3pm Saturday.

Not sure if Thursday nights are going to be a big thing in the championship next season.

8 hours ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

No going out of the FA Cup in round one, or even round two.

Which presumably means two extra weekend league games instead of cup weekends that feel like pre-season friendlies (or no game at all).

I'll be up for a decent 3rd round cup tie in Jan, but I've no desire to see us play Walsall or Harrogate at home in the 1st round again, I don't think I'll get the desire to see those games back knowing it results in another league game switching to midweek.

Also not having to wonder if our league game at start of Jan will be postponed because us or our opponents won 2 FA Cup games.

The benefits are endless!!

7 hours ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Not disagreeing, but the first two seasons up there were nailbiters.

The Rioch era was proper build up days with very good players being joined by others & a steady climb. It does have that potential.

Trouble is, & these are easy words to say, I don’t like the Premiership & have little desire to go for it.

Me too, I genuinely have no desire to be in it while VAR is a Prem only thing. 

24 teams in the championship, and at least 20 are proper clubs I'll look forward to playing, either because of who they are or for their location/rivalry.

Prem has Bournemouth, Brentford, Hull, Fulham, Palace.

5 hours ago, L/H White said:

apart from wrexham, can't see much hassle with away tickets next season 

can't see the same appetite for lincoln again

Burnley will sell out in 2 minutes assuming they keep the same away allocation as they have for last few seasons.  And first game of season if its away and on a Saturday will sell out easily.

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

That will be interesting to see.  In recent years the likes of us, Reading, Wigan, Sheff Wed, Leicester, WBA, Birmingham, Rotherham, maybe Pompey and Coventry but can't be sure have helped others by having points deducted.  It will feel unfair if there are none next season and we have to compete on a level playing field!

We already have Southampton 4 behind. Keep the faith

On 25/05/2026 at 22:09, Spider said:

playoffs borderline insane, 21st

Millwall finished 3rd nothing to worry about can’t be that difficult 😃

On 25/05/2026 at 12:00, MalcolmW said:

Of the 12 founding members of the Football League 8 will be in the Championship for 2026-27.

Only the original big city clubs of Aston Villa and Everton remain in the Premier League.

No founder members in League One, but Notts County and the reformed Accrington in League Two.

All the Championship clubs were in the Football League in 1926-27, and here are their positions in that season.

Division- position club:

1-4 Bolton Wanderers, 1-5 Burnley, 1-6 West Ham United,, 1-8 Sheffield United, 1-12 Derby County, 1-14 Cardiff City, 1-17Birmingham City, 1-18 Blackburn Rovers, 1-22 West Bromwich Albion, 2-1 Middlesbrough, 2-2 Portsmouth, 2-6 Preston North End, 2-12 Swansea Town (now City), 2-13 Southampton, 2-15 Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3S-1 Bristol City, 3N-1 Stoke City, 3S-3 Millwall, 3N-11 Lincoln City, 3S-13 Charlton Athletic, 3N-13 Wrexham, 3S-14 Queens Park Rangers, 3S-16 Norwich City, 3S-21 Watford.

Only just home from the weekend. Hence the delayed response.

I must correct this opening post, which has an all too common error that requires correction every time. Namely, there is no link between Accrington Stanley FC - either in their original or current formation - and Accrington FC: founder members of the Football League.

At the time the Football League was established, it was Accrington (not Stanley) who won the vote to join the original Football League. After finishing as high as 6th in 1890, Accrington subsequently struggled and by 1893 were relegated from the first to the second division. At this point, they made the fatal decision to resign from the Football League and join the Lancashire League. They quickly realised the folly of this decision and in 1894 applied to rejoin the Football League. However, their application was rejected, the club subsequently had financial difficulties and were dissolved in 1896.

Accrington Stanley FC were founded in 1891 and coexisted with Accrington FC, while the latter were members of the Football League. From 1891 until 1896, the two clubs played simultaneously as crosstown rivals.

The town of Accrington was then not represented in league football until Accrington Stanley were elected to the newly formed Dividion Three (North) in 1921.

in short, of the twelve founding members of the Football League, only eleven currently exist. It has been this way since 1896.

 

Edited May 27May 27 by Rival Son

11 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Just to manage expectations of the day of the game, I guarantee Blackburn v Bolton will be on Sky, and even if its not, best we can hope for is a 12.30 KO on a Saturday.  Or a Friday night, not sure which I prefer, but it won't be 3pm Saturday.

Not sure if Thursday nights are going to be a big thing in the championship next season.

I think 5 of the championship games are switched for TV every weekend versus 2/3 in league 1. The one drawback of being in the championship but I'll take missing the odd strange kick off time in the knowledge that the next game isn't Burton or Bromley.

I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy an away ST for next season.

As I’m now retired I will have more time on my hands to do away games but as most of the clubs in our league give a decent amount of away tickets is it really worth it?

Having an away ST means a guaranteed ticket but then you are committed to buying them all. Not having one means I can pick and choose games but may miss out on matches I really want to see.

Decisions decisions.

1 minute ago, freds dad said:

I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy an away ST for next season.

As I’m now retired I will have more time on my hands to do away games but as most of the clubs in our league give a decent amount of away tickets is it really worth it?

Having an away ST means a guaranteed ticket but then you are committed to buying them all. Not having one means I can pick and choose games but may miss out on matches I really want to see.

Decisions decisions.

You can give upto 5 back 

 

13 minutes ago, Stig said:

I think 5 of the championship games are switched for TV every weekend versus 2/3 in league 1. The one drawback of being in the championship but I'll take missing the odd strange kick off time in the knowledge that the next game isn't Burton or Bromley.

 

Sky/EFL have again committed to announcing TV changes early, at least. And these seem like more advance warning than last season was

(Of course, they did break their own guidelines a couple of times last season and did it a few days after they said they would.)

2 minutes ago, freds dad said:

I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy an away ST for next season.

As I’m now retired I will have more time on my hands to do away games but as most of the clubs in our league give a decent amount of away tickets is it really worth it?

Having an away ST means a guaranteed ticket but then you are committed to buying them all. Not having one means I can pick and choose games but may miss out on matches I really want to see.

Decisions decisions.

When I had the away season ticket three seasons ago you could return five games

2 minutes ago, freds dad said:

I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy an away ST for next season.

As I’m now retired I will have more time on my hands to do away games but as most of the clubs in our league give a decent amount of away tickets is it really worth it?

Having an away ST means a guaranteed ticket but then you are committed to buying them all. Not having one means I can pick and choose games but may miss out on matches I really want to see.

Decisions decisions.

Been worth its weight in gold for me last few years. I'm unsure this time around as there won't be many allocations where spares won't be available.

Difference is in championship you could end up paying some wild prices for match tickets.

But with no Papa Johns and presumably a few less Carabao/FA Cup games to worry about, the 5 returns will take you further.

They've increased the joining fee year on year, and have done away with free postage, though.

Congratulations on promotion. Most Wrexham fans were hoping you stuff those Stockport scruffs, and you did. 👏

As a rough guide we spent around £30-35 million last summer and just missed out on the play-offs. We suffered a very slow start and it took a while for the team to find its feet. Understandable with so many new players - we signed 13 

I'm sure you don't need me telling you this but the Championship is a big step up and we got found out many a time, especially at home.

I know you have far more Championship experience than us by the way so don't take this as me trying to teach you to suck eggs.

I loved last season, loads of great stadiums, some belting away days, good football, no VAR, an FA cup run.

 

Edited May 27May 27 by Only In Welsh

 

1 hour ago, Marc505 said:

But with no Papa Johns and presumably a few less Carabao/FA Cup games to worry about, the 5 returns will take you further.

1 hour ago, L/H White said:

You can give upto 5 back 

The one to keep an eye on is whether you can still hand back rearranged games.

I only handed one back all season (Northampton), but Mrs got Stevenage refunded and didn’t count towards the five (praise be for the end of international weekend uncertainty)

4 hours ago, Rival Son said:

Only just home from the weekend. Hence the delayed response.

I must correct this opening post, which has an all too common error that requires correction every time. Namely, there is no link between Accrington Stanley FC - either in their original or current formation - and Accrington FC: founder members of the Football League.

At the time the Football League was established, it was Accrington (not Stanley) who won the vote to join the original Football League. After finishing as high as 6th in 1890, Accrington subsequently struggled and by 1893 were relegated from the first to the second division. At this point, they made the fatal decision to resign from the Football League and join the Lancashire League. They quickly realised the folly of this decision and in 1894 applied to rejoin the Football League. However, their application was rejected, the club subsequently had financial difficulties and were dissolved in 1896.

Accrington Stanley FC were founded in 1891 and coexisted with Accrington FC, while the latter were members of the Football League. From 1891 until 1896, the two clubs played simultaneously as crosstown rivals.

The town of Accrington was then not represented in league football until Accrington Stanley were elected to the newly formed Dividion Three (North) in 1921.

in short, of the twelve founding members of the Football League, only eleven currently exist. It has been this way since 1896.

 

Funnily enough I was explaining this to a Belgian mate the other night in a drunken conversation about the founder members.

I'm a fucking riot at parties me.

6 hours ago, Rival Son said:

Only just home from the weekend. Hence the delayed response.

I must correct this opening post, which has an all too common error that requires correction every time. Namely, there is no link between Accrington Stanley FC - either in their original or current formation - and Accrington FC: founder members of the Football League.

At the time the Football League was established, it was Accrington (not Stanley) who won the vote to join the original Football League. After finishing as high as 6th in 1890, Accrington subsequently struggled and by 1893 were relegated from the first to the second division. At this point, they made the fatal decision to resign from the Football League and join the Lancashire League. They quickly realised the folly of this decision and in 1894 applied to rejoin the Football League. However, their application was rejected, the club subsequently had financial difficulties and were dissolved in 1896.

Accrington Stanley FC were founded in 1891 and coexisted with Accrington FC, while the latter were members of the Football League. From 1891 until 1896, the two clubs played simultaneously as crosstown rivals.

The town of Accrington was then not represented in league football until Accrington Stanley were elected to the newly formed Dividion Three (North) in 1921.

in short, of the twelve founding members of the Football League, only eleven currently exist. It has been this way since 1896.

 

Solid knowledge that I'll try to remember in case of quizzes, etc. Cheers.