The original 12 clubs in the EFL: Where are they now?

There is a common misconception among many modern-era fans that football started when the Premier League was launched 33 years ago.

However, the oldest football league in the world is actually the English Football League (EFL), which was founded at the Royal Hotel in Manchester in April 1888.

It contained one of the oldest football clubs in England – Notts County – and eleven other teams who participated in the inaugural 1888/89 season.

Here is the current status of the founding members:

• Accrington – Folded in 1896.
• Aston Villa – Premier League since 2019/20.
• Blackburn Rovers – Championship since 2018/19.
• Bolton Wanderers – League One since 2021/22.
• Burnley – Championship since 2024/25.
• Derby County – Championship since 2024/25.
• Everton – First Division/Premier League since 1954/55.
• Notts County – League Two since 2023/24.
• Preston North End – Championship since 2015/16.
• Stoke City – Championship since 2018/19.
• West Bromwich Albion – Championship since 2021/22.
• Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League since 2018/19.

Villa are of top the founder members’ silverware charts

Of the eleven founder members of the EFL who are still in existence, Villa are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of major silverware.

They have won seven English league titles, seven FA Cups and five League Cups. The Midlands outfit were also crowned European champions in 1981/82.

Their 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich was one of the most iconic events in English football and undoubtedly cemented Villa’s status as a ‘big club’.

Aside from a three-season stint in the Championship from 2016/17 to 2018/19, Villa have been a permanent fixture in the Premier League.

Everton have also had plenty of success during their illustrious history, winning nine league titles, one FA Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

The Toffees have been in the shadow of local rivals Liverpool in recent years, but their upcoming move to a new stadium at Bramley Moor Dock could trigger a shift in the balance of power.

Blackburn’s tally of ten major trophies – three league titles, six FA Cups and one League Cup – cements their status as the most successful football club in Lancashire.

They are also the only founder member of the EFL to be crowned champions in the modern era after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester United in 1994/95.

Rovers are currently languishing in the Championship, and look unlikely to return to the top flight due to the ineptitude of their hapless owners.

Wolves have picked up nine trophies during their history – three league titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups. Their last success was in the latter competition in 1979/80.

West Brom are the best of the rest

West Brom have spent the majority of their existence in the top flight, racking up 82 seasons at that level since the English league was launched.

The Baggies have won one league title, five FA Cups and one League Cup during their history, but are now plying their trade in the Championship.

Preston (1888/89 & 1889/90), Burnley (1920/21 & 1959/60) and Derby (1971/72 & 1974/75) are the only other founder members who have won the English league title.

Bolton, Stoke and Notts County have each won at least one major cup competition, but have never finished on top of the league standings in England.

Accrington has had a chequered history where the EFL is concerned, with the town’s original league club resigning after finishing 15th of 16 teams in 1892/93.

They subsequently joined the Lancashire League, but financial problems brought on by the proximity of Blackburn and Burnley forced them to fold in January 1896.

Accrington did not have an EFL club again until Lancashire Combination side Accrington Stanley became a member as part of a major expansion of the league in 1921.

They survived in the league until 1962, but bankruptcy forced them to drop into the Lancashire Combination for the next four seasons.

Further serious financial issues forced them to disband in 1966, but the club was subsequently revived two years later. Some critics believe this should not have been allowed to happen.

Despite this, Stanley slowly worked their way back up the English pyramid and were promoted into League Two at the end of the 2005/06 season.

However, the club once again racked up sizeable debts after returning to the EFL, sparking further debates about their viability as a league club.

Stanley are currently 22nd in League Two and could be relegated to the National League if results go against them over the next few weeks.

The original 12 clubs in the EFL: Where are they now?