Sky Sports have revealed the best teams in terms of league position over the past 50 years.
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They have done this by working out the average finishing position of each side over the last half century. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal all come out well, while ‘nouveau riche’ clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City suffer in these standings.
20) Derby County, average position 23.28
Just sacked Steve McLaren for failing to get them in to the Championship play offs, and the Rams are used to yo-yoing between the top tiers since 1955.
19) Norwich City, average position 22.84
Back in the Premier League next season, and the Canaries will want to stay there for longer than they usually manage under impressive manager Alex Neil.
18) Coventry City, average position 22.68
Now in League One, at least Coventry are now back in their home ground. Before this season they had been playing in Northampton Town due to rent prices being too high at their former stadium.
17) Sunderland, average position 22.5
Dick Advocaat has miraculously led the Black Cats to safety, but their hopes for the next campaign might rest on him deciding to stick around for a bit longer.
16) Leicester City, average position 22.42
Another team that had a late run of form to stay in the top flight, but judging by their average position the Foxes still have a lot of hard work to do.
15) West Brom, average position 22.34
The Baggies have managed to solidify their Premier League status in recent years, and will hope to slowly climb this table.
14) Ipswich Town, average position 21.14
The Tractor Boys may be above ‘Old Farm’ rivals Norwich here, but unless they are able to get out of the Championship soon that may not last for much longer.
13) Nottingham Forest, average position 20.56
Believe it or not but Forest have won the European Cup, now named the Champions League, twice in their history. They will be hoping for a return to this success one day.
12) Southampton, average position 17.54
Ronald Koeman has had some great success with the Saints this season, and they could continue to over perform next season.
11) Leeds United, average position 17.04
It was only just over a decade ago that a Champions League semi final was being played at Elland Road. Now under the ownership of Massimo Cellino, it could be a long time before they are even in the top flight again.
10) West Ham, average position 15.26
This just makes the sacking of Sam Allardyce look even more silly. The Hammers aren’t just a manager away from winning trophies, and the former Bolton man had done well at Upton Park.
9) Newcastle United, average position 14.92
It is amazing that a club of the Magpies’ size hasn’t won more than it has. However, they will need significant investment, and soon, if they want to live up to their potential.
8) Aston Villa, average position 14.56
Seven top flight titles, seven FA Cups, and a European Cup point to how successful the Midlands side have been in the past. Will trophies be there again anytime soon though?
7) Manchester City, average position 14
Before their mega-money takeover the Citizens were regulars to both relegation and promotion fights in the top two divisions. With their new-found riches it is unlikely this will ever happen again though.
6) Chelsea, average position 10.92
‘We ain’t got no history’ is sometimes chanted by the Stamford Bridge faithful, and with good reason. Before Abramovich came along they had only won a single top division title, back in 1955.
5) Everton, average position 8.98
Similarly to Aston Villa, the Toffees were once one of the biggest and richest clubs in the country. However, they have been left behind in the Premier League era, and look unlikely to add to their nine league championships any time soon.
4) Tottenham, average position 8.94
Spurs finally get in to the Champions League! Well, kind of. The North London club are seemingly forever behind local rivals Arsenal, but they have enjoyed some success down the years. However, you have to go back to the 50s and 60s for their last sustained trophy hauls.
3) Arsenal, average position 5.24
The Gunners have summed their history by coming third this season, and have impressively never been relegated.
2) Manchester United, average position 4.96
Despite the herculean efforts of Sir Alex Ferguson the Red Devils still trail behind their Merseyside rivals at the top.
1) Liverpool, average position 3.32
The Reds are in danger of slipping away from the top clubs, even with their 18 top division titles and five European Cups/Champions Leagues.