The Premier League is the oldest national championship. The professional Football Association (FA) was formed in 1885, so English football got to the professional level in 1885. Three years after the Football league was established. “Preston North End” won the first 1888/89 championship having lost none of the games. In 1992 the English Premier League replaced the First Division and became the top football league in England. The aim of this measure was increase of income.
The system of English football leagues comprises 21 levels, the main of which are the following: the Premier League (20 clubs), the English Football League Championship (the Championship, 24 clubs), the English Football League One (24 clubs), the League Two (24 clubs), the National League (24 clubs).
The English Premier League comprises 20 professional clubs of England and Wales. According to regulations the tournament is officially called the Barclays Premier League. At present the Premier League is the most popular sports championship in the world. At the end of each season three teams, ranked 18th, 19th and 20th, drop out to the Football League Championship, while three best clubs go up from there. The Premier League functions as a corporation owned by 20 participating clubs. The tournament is often criticized because of the growing chasm between the Premier League and the Football League. Top division clubs get much more resources than lower division teams. Therefore, very often the teams from the championship of the Football League, that have entered the Premier League, drop out in the very first season.
Until 2010, the Premier League clubs could conclude contracts with players from any countries with almost no restrictions. Since the 2010/11 season, a limit has been introduced on the club application: 25 players. Over-limit players can be registered at the age of 21 and under. The rule concerning homegrown players was also approved, there should be 8 of them per club.
The most award-winning club of England is “Manchester United”, which won the championship 20 times. “Liverpool” takes the second place, having 18 titles. The third leader is “Arsenal” from London (13 victories).
Only four clubs have won the Championship three times in a row: “Huddersfield Town” in 1924—1926, “Arsenal” in 1933—1935, “Liverpool” in 1982—1984 and “Manchester United” in 1999—2001 and in 2007—2009.
Since the advent of the Premier League, 46 different clubs have appeared in it, but only 5 of them won the championship: “Manchester United” (13 times), “Arsenal” (3 times), “Chelsea” (3 times), “Manchester City” (2 times) and “Blackburn Rovers” (1 time).
The greatest number of seasons in the top division of England was held by “Everton” – 110 championships.
“Arsenal” has been staying in the Premier League since 1919 up to now (87 seasons).
“Arsenal” has got the largest number of victories in a row in the top division – 14 matches.
In the 2007/08 season, “Derby County” finished the season of the Premier League with the only victory.
The highest number of points on the completion of the season (3 points for a victory, 38 matches) scored “Chelsea” in the 2004/05 season - 95 points.
The longest series without defeat belongs to “Arsenal”, from May 2003 to October 24, 2004, the club has ended unbeated 49 matches in a row.
The “Manchester United” midfielder Ryan Giggs (1991–2014) played the greatest number of matches in the Premier League – 660 games.
The top goal scorer in the top division is Jimmy Greaves, who scored 357 goals in 516 matches.
The greatest number of victories per season in the Premier League belongs to “Chelsea” – 29 wins.
The greatest number of goals per season in the top division is 128 (“Aston Villa”, the 1930/31 season).
The record win 12:0 belongs to two clubs: “West Bromwich Albion” and “Nottingham Forest”.
The biggest amount of goals in one match – 14, “Aston Villa” 12 – 2 “Accrington” (the 1891/92 season).
The biggest draw is 6:6: “Leicester City” 6:6 “Arsenal” (1930), “Charlton Athletic” 6:6 “Middlesbrough” (1960).
The longest period during which the goalkeeper hasn’t missed a ball belongs to Edwin van der Sar (“Manchester United”, the 2008/09 season) – 1311 minutes.
