Wigan Athletic Football Club
JJB Stadium, Robin Park Complex, Newtown, Wigan, WN5 0UZ
Tel: 0870 112 2700
Manager Profile
Chris Hutchings
Wigan's former assistant manager is aiming to become a successful Barclays Premier League boss
Overview
Wigan Athletic won promotion to England's top flight for the first time ever in 2005 and have stayed in the Premier League for the last two seasons. Remaining in the top half of the table for almost the entire 2005/06 campaign, the Latics also reached the League Cup final for the first time in its history.
They surprised teams with their dynamism in attack and ability to continue carving out chances. Wigan's rise has been swift. Playing in the old Third Division when local millionaire Dave Whelan purchased the club in 1995, his Premier League ambitions were realised in just 10 years.
Wigan found last season more taxing and were pulled into a relegation dogfight. However, they survived on the final day of the campaign after a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Sheffield United. Manager Paul Jewell chose to step down after survival had been guaranteed and was replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings.
Club Heritage
The club was formed in 1932 following the demise of Wigan Borough the previous year. With Wigan County, Wigan United and Wigan Town also failing to establish themselves, this was fifth time lucky as far as Wigan Athletic were concerned.
Wigan hold the record for the biggest cup win by a non-league club over a league club. In the 1934-35 season, they defeated Carlisle United 6-1 in the FA Cup fifth round. This was achieved when playing in the Cheshire County League and it was not until 1978, and after appearances in the Lancashire Combination and Northern Premier League, that Wigan were elected to the Football League.
This came after numerous failed election attempts and a controversial application to join the Scottish League Second Division. They finished runners-up to Boston United in the Northern Premier League, but the latter's ground and facilities were deemed unsuitable for the Football League, and the Latics were put forward for election.
Wigan took their first step towards the Premier League in 1997 when they won the Third Division under John Deehan. Paul Jewell then earned promotion to the First Division with a points tally of 100 in 2002/03, just his second season at the club.
Premier League History
2004-05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership
2006-07 - Emile Heskey signed from Birmingham for a club record £5.5million
2006-07 - Paul Jewell resigns as manager and is replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings
Wigan Athletic
West Ham United
West Ham United Football Club
Boleyn Ground, Green Street, Upton Park, London, E13 9AZ
Tel: 0870 112 2700
Manager Profile
Alan Curbishley
Curbishley has added big money signings as he aims for success with a new-look squad this term
Overview
West Ham secured their place back in the Barclays Premiership after a two-year absence in 2005. Backed by wealthy owner Eggert Magnusson, they hope to start challenging for major honours after narrowly escaping the drop last term.
The Hammers joined the Premier League in 1993 and consolidated in midtable under manager Billy Bonds. At the start of the following season, assistant Harry Redknapp stepped up to become the new manager after Bonds quit the post.
Redknapp's first campaign saw the Hammers finish in 14th place, but he led them to three top-10 finishes including fifth place in 1999. Youth team coach Glenn Roeder became the new manager in 2001 and he had a successful first season leading the team to seventh. But things went badly wrong 12 months later, as they were relegated in 2003.
Alan Pardew took over the reigns and led West Ham to the Championship play-offs, but they lost to Crystal Palace in the final. But the Hammers only had to wait another season before returning to the top flight after play-off success over Preston.
On their return to the top flight in 2005/06, Pardew's men came ninth and also finished as FA Cup runners-up after Liverpool beat them in a penalty shoot-out. Last season, the Hammers started brightly but plunged into a relegation dogfight and Pardew left as manager in November.
New boss Alan Curbishley eventually reversed the slump and West Ham miraculously escaped relegation on the very last day of the season. West Ham have never played outside football's top two divisions since joining the Football League in 1919.
Club Heritage
Founded in 1895, the club was originally known as Thames Ironworks FC, before it was re-named as West Ham United five years later. West Ham won promotion to the top flight in 1923 and the same year appeared in the first Wembley FA Cup Final. They clinched the FA Cup in 1964 and were crowned European Cup Winners' Cup in the following season.
More FA Cup glory arrived in 1975 and the Hammers were European Cup Winners' Cup finalists 12 months later. But in 1978, they suffered a blow with relegation from the top tier. But as a Second Division side, West Ham upset Arsenal to win the FA Cup in 1980. They won promotion in 1981 and spent eight seasons in the top flight - including a club-best finish of third in 1986 - before getting relegated in 1989.
West Ham regained their place in the top division in 1991, but had the pain of relegation after one season. However, they bounced back immediately with promotion back up at the first attempt in 1993. After a 10-year spell in the Premier League, the East London outfit suffered relegation again but won their place back in 2005.
Premier League History
1992-93 - Joined Premier League
1994-95 - Harry Redknapp replaces Billy Bonds as manager
2001-02 - Glenn Roeder becomes manager
2002-03 - Trevor Brooking installed as caretaker manager
2002-03 - Relegated from Barclaycard Premiership
2003-04 - Alan Pardew appointed manager
2004-05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership via play-offs
2005-06 - FA Cup Finalists
2006-07 - Eggert Magnusson becomes new owner
2006-07 - Alan Curbishley takes charge
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
White Hart Lane, Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, Tottenham, N17 0AP
Tel: 0845 671 1973
Manager Profile
Martin Jol
The Dutchman has the best record of any Spurs boss in the past 20 years, based on percentage of matches won
Overview
Spurs have been in the Premier League since its inception and have lit the competition up with their flamboyant style of play. With Jurgen Klinsmann and Ilie Dumitrescu, the team was built around goals, but points were harder to come by. Relegation was only narrowly avoided in 1998, but fans' relief was short lived as their next manager was a legend from hated north London rivals Arsenal - George Graham.
He quickly won the fans round with a League Cup victory in his first season - Spurs' first trophy since the Premier League began. However, it wasn't until Martin Jol took over in 2004 and started building a team for the future - firmly placing his faith in youth - that Spurs began to climb the table. The past two seasons they have only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.
Club Heritage
Boys from Hotspur Cricket Club and the local grammar club formed Hotspur FC in 1882. The name was changed to Tottenham Hotspur in 1884. Three years later, they played their first north London derby, but the match was called off after 15minutes "owing to darkness" - Spurs were beating Arsenal 2-1.
The club turned professional in 1885, but didn't join the football league until 1908. In the meantime, they became the only non-league team to win the FA Cup (in 1901).
Spurs became perceived as a big club when Bill Nicholson took over in 1958. He won his first match 10-4 - a sign of what was to come. In his 16 years at the club Spurs won eight major trophies - becoming the first club to complete the league and cup 'double' in 1961 and the first British team to win a European competition in 1963.
Further league success eluded Spurs and, following Nicholson's retirement, they even spent a brief stint in the Second Division in 1977-78. Their ethos of playing attacking football continued though - players that wowed the White Hart Lane faithful include Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker.
Premier League History
1993-94 - Ossie Ardiles becomes manager
1994-95 - Ardiles sacked in September. Replaced by Gerry Francis
1997-98 - Francis replaced by Christian Gross, who re-signs Jurgen Klinsmann
1998-99 - Gross replaced by George Graham. Win the League Cup
2000-01 - Glenn Hoddle replaces Graham in April. ENIC complete takeover with Daniel Levy becoming chairman
2003-04 - David Pleat replaces Hoddle in September
2004-05 - Jacques Santini becomes head coach, but quits after just 13 matches. Replaced by Martin Jol
2007-08 - Sign Darren Bent for club record £16.5million from Charlton
Sunderland
Sunderland Association Football Club
Stadium of Light, Sunderland, SR5 1SU,
Tel: 0845 671 1973
Manager Profile
Roy Keane
The former Republic of Ireland international is aiming to consolidate Sunderland's place in the Barclays Premier League
Overview
Sunderland stormed to the Championship title in 2006-07 to reclaim their place in the top-flight at the first time of asking, and this time around they'll be hoping their stay in the Premier League will be a sustained one.
After their relegation in 2006, the club was taken over by Drumaville - a consortium of mainly Irish-based businessmen, headed up by former player Niall Quinn - which appointed Republic of Ireland legend and former Manchester United hero Roy Keane as manager, his first managerial post since hanging up his boots.
The club have never looked back since as Keane guided the club from the bottom of the Championship to title winners in May.
The club's passionate fans hope that the Irish legend's Wearside revolution can bring back days of the club's two successive seventh-place finishes in 2000 and 2001, and their reputation as a yo-yo club be firmly put to bed, as the club strives for sustained success.
Club Heritage
Glaswegian schoolteacher James Allan founded Sunderland and District Teachers' Association Football Club in 1879, changing the name to Sunderland AFC a year later. They were elected to the newly-formed Football League in 1890-91 and were to remain in the top flight for 68 consecutive years - a record only recently passed by Arsenal.
Sunderland won the title three times in five years, only losing one home match in their first six seasons. The Mackems won another title in 1902, but a better prize in their fans eyes' was a 9-1 thrashing of fierce rivals Newcastle - still a record away win in the top flight. The team came close to doing the double in 1913 but they lost the FA Cup final 1-0 to Aston Villa.
A post-war slump saw them beaten by Yeovil in the FA Cup - the first time a non-league club had beaten a top-flight team - and worse, relegated in 1958. Sunderland have spent most of their time since then bouncing between the top two divisions, with their only real glory being a 1973 FA Cup win over Leeds United - the first time in 40 years a club outside the top flight won the trophy.
The Black Cats reached their lowest point in 1987 as they were relegated to the Third Division. But successive promotions saw them back in the top flight two years later.
Premier League History
1992-93 - Avoid relegation to Division Two by one point
1993-94 - Mick Buxton replaces Terry Butcher as manager
1994-95 - Peter Reid becomes manager with seven matches remaining
1995-96 - Win Division One
1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1997-98 - First season at Stadium of Light. Lose play-off final on penalties
1998-99 - Win Division One with a record 105 points
2002-03 - Break record signing with Tore André Flo for £6.75million. Reid replaced by Howard Wilkinson. Mick McCarthy takes over with nine matches left. Relegated with lowest points tally ever (19)
2004-05 - Win Division One
2005-06 - McCarthy leaves in March after just two wins. Kevin Ball appointed as caretaker. Relegated with new record low number of points (15).
2006-07 - Consortium headed by former hero Niall Quinn takes over. Quinn appointed as manager but sacks himself after four straight defeats. Roy Keane becomes manager. Win the Championship
Reading
Reading Football Club
Madejski Stadium, Junction 11, M4, Reading, RG2 0FL
Tel: 0870 999 1871
Manager Profile
Steve Coppell
The ex-Crystal Palace boss has been named Managers' Manager of the Year for the past two seasons
Overview
Steve Coppell's Reading had a fantastic 2006/07 campaign - their first in the top flight. They should have been promoted in 1995, having finished runners-up in Division One, but were denied as that was the year the FA Carling Premiership was reduced from 22 team to 20.
The Royals lost to Bolton 4-3 after extra time in the play-off final. In 2006, they finally secured promotion in emphatic style - winning the Championship with a record amount of points (106).
The Royals' first Premier League match was against Middlesbrough and they found themselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes. In a stunning turnaround they went on to win the match 3-2. An impressive and attacking season saw Reading hold Manchester United to a draw, narrowly lose to Chelsea and memorably beat West Ham 6-0.
An impressive Premier League beginning for a club that had been plying its trade in the third tier when the competition kicked off in 1992. Since 2001, 'Reading Fans' has been registered as number 13 in the squad in recognition of the supporters' importance.
Club Heritage
Reading FC was formed on Christmas Day 1871, but did not turn professional until 1895. They were originally nicknamed The Biscuitmen after the main trade of the town. The club was a founding member of the Southern League in 1894. Though largely undistinguished, Reading did beat AC Milan 5-0 and the Italian national team 2-0 in 1913.
In 1926, Reading won Division Three (south) and the following season had their best FA Cup run, reaching the semi-finals where they lost to eventual winners Cardiff City. Reading were relegated in 1931 and became a founding member of the national Division Three in 1957, where they remained until their centenary year.
In 1971 the Royals were relegated into Division Four, where they spent most of that decade. On their way to promotion in 1979, they didn't concede a goal for 1,103 minutes - a Football League record. In 1983 they were relegated again and almost ceased to exist as they desperately fought off a merger with Oxford United.
They survived and former player Roger Smee became chairman. Three years later, they were back in Division Two for the first time in 55 years. But it wasn't until John Madejski took control of the club in 1990 that Reading FC was really on its way up.
Premier League History
1993-94 - Champions of Division Two
1994-95 - Manager Mark McGhee resigns. Replaced by Jimmy Quinn and Mick Gooding. Division One runners-up but lose to Bolton in play-offs
1997-98 - Terry Bullivant appointed as manager before season begins. Tommy Burns takes over in March. Relegated
1998-99 - Move into Madejski Stadium
1999-00 - Burns is sacked in September and replaced by Alan Pardew
2001-02 - Promoted as Division Two runners-up
2002-03 - Lose play-off semi-finals
2003-04 - Pardew leaves in September. Replaced by Steve Coppell
2005-06 - Win the Championship with record points total
2006-07 - Break record signing Greg Halford for £2.5million
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Football Club
Fratton Park, Frogmore Road, Portsmouth PO4 8RA
Tel: 0871 230 1898
Manager Profile
Harry Redknapp
Redknapp's task is to improve on Portsmouth's top 10 finish last season
Overview
Portsmouth have not looked back since Harry Redknapp steered them to promotion into the Barclaycard Premiership in 2003. The top flight's most southern team comfortably remained in the division the following season and were successful in their fight against relegation in the 2005-06 campaign.
Once survival was secured, Alexandre Gaydamak took over the club and has injected several million pounds into bolstering the squad. Last season, Portsmouth come within a whisker of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Redknapp's ability to attract the likes of Sol Campbell and David James as well a number of foreign players such as Kanu helped the club to a ninth-place finish, beating the likes of Manchester United and avoiding defeat against Arsenal.
Redknapp had resigned from his post in November 2004 but was reappointed in December 2005 after a stint at local rivals Southampton. Portsmouth were the first club to stage a Football League match under floodlights when Newcastle visited Fratton Park in 1956.
Club Heritage
The club was founded in 1898 and played its first league match against Chatham Town on 2nd September 1899. A record of 20 wins from 28 games earned Pompey a runners-up spot that season in the Southern League. They won the division for the first time in the 1901-02 season.
In 1927, the club made their debut in the First Division and they went on to reach the FA Cup final the following campaign. It was third time lucky in the FA Cup final in 1939. After the previous two finals ended in defeat, Pompey swept to a 4-1 win over favourites Wolves.
The first of back-to-back titles were claimed in the 1948-49 campaign in the club's Golden Jubilee season. A 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa on the last day of the following season sealed the title again. Pompey are one of only five clubs to have won two consecutive titles since the Second World War.
In 1976, the club found itself in the Third Division and needing to raise £25,000 in order to pay off debts and avoid bankruptcy. Local newspaper The News led a campaign to save the club and the money was raised by supporter contributions.
Premier League History
1999-00 - Milan Mandaric takes over club
2004-05 - Harry Redknapp resigns as manager and Velimir Zajec becomes caretaker manager
2004-05 - Alain Perrin appointed manager, with Zajec reverting to director's role
2005-06 - Perrin sacked and Redknapp appointed manager
2005-06 - Mandaric sells 50 per cent stake to Alexandre Gaydamak in January 2006, then his remaining half to the Russian after the club avoided relegation
2006-07 - Mandaric resigns as chairman on September 21 2006
2007-08 - Striker John Utaka signs in club record transfer of £8.1million
Newcastle United
Newcastle United Football Club
St. James' Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 4ST
Tel: 0191 261 1571
Manager Profile
Sam Allardyce
"Big Sam" hopes to continue his great success at Bolton with new club Newcastle
Overview
Newcastle United fans have had a rollercoaster time since the inception of the Premier League. When Kevin Keegan took over the reins in 1992, the club was on the brink of relegation to the old Division Three. But under his management, they romped to the title and took their place in the FA Carling Premiership in time for the 1993-94 season.
With a goal-hungry Andy Cole and veteran Peter Beardsley at the forefront of an attacking team, they were dubbed "The Entertainers". Attack was the first form of defence and it worked as the North East outfit finished third in their first season. They went even closer two years later. Leading Manchester United by 12 points, they eventually slipped to second.
Signing Alan Shearer for a world record £15million eased the Toon Army's disappointment and again they were runners-up. Managerial upheaval has seen the club fail to reach those dizzy heights since, but much is expected under new manager Sam Allardyce. St James' Park is the only Barclays Premier League stadium not to have a scoreboard of any kind.
Club Heritage
In 1881, Stanley Cricket Club formed a football team to occupy themselves in winter. A year later, they changed their name to East End FC, turning professional in 1889. In 1892, they took over fierce rivals West End and moved into their ground - St James' Park. And on December 22nd, the FA approved the name Newcastle United.
The Magpies joined the Football League in 1893 and swiftly became one of the game's giants - winning three league titles and an FA Cup by 1914. In 1934 they were relegated though - despite memorably defeating Liverpool 9-2 and Everton 7-3. The Magpies started to rebuild, helped enormously by former stars Stan Seymour and Joe Harvey, as director and manager respectively.
The end of the Second World War saw the birth of another great team. Newcastle signed Jackie Milburn after he responded to their advert for trialists, and with his help, they lifted the FA Cup three times in five years. They also recorded the highest victory in English League football, 13-0 over Newport County.
European success followed when the Magpies won the Fairs Cup - re-named the Uefa Cup in 1969 - despite a brief spell in Division Two, and in 1971 Malcolm Macdonald was signed from Luton Town. Devastating in front of goal, 'Supermac' led the Magpies to Wembley twice - in the FA Cup in 1974 and League Cup in 1976 - and quickly established himself as a Newcastle legend. The club have had their ups and downs since then but players such as Kevin Keegan, Paul Gascoigne and Chris Waddle have seen them maintain their ethos of attractive and attacking football.
Premier League History
1992-93 - Promoted to FA Carling Premiership as Division One Champions
1994-95 - Sell Andy Cole to Manchester United for English record transfer fee of £7million.
1995-96 - FA Carling Premiership runners-up
1996-97 - Sign Alan Shearer for world record £15million. Manager Kevin Keegan quits in January. Replaced by Kenny Dalglish. FA Carling Premiership runners-up.
1997-98 - Lose FA Cup Final 2-0 to Arsenal
1998-99 - Ruud Gullit replaces Dalglish. Lose FA Cup final 2-0 to Manchester United
1999-00 - Bobby Robson replaces Gullit. Wins first match 8-0 against Sheffield Wednesday
2004-05 - Robson sacked. Replaced by Graeme Souness
2005-06 - Sign Michael Owen for club record £17million. Souness sacked, replaced by Glenn Roeder. Shearer becomes record goalscorer - overtaking Jackie Milburn's tally of 200. Retires having scored 206 goals for Newcastle
2006-07 - Roeder sacked with one game of the Barclays Premier League season to go. Sam Allardyce appointed two days after season ends. June 26 - Mike Ashley and St. James' Holdings gain 90% of shares, enough to takeover the club
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough Football Club
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS, TS3 6RS
Tel: 0844 499 1234
Manager Profile
Gareth Southgate
The ex England international's objective is to achieve European qualification this term.
Overview
Middlesbrough have spent the last nine seasons in the Premier League and 12 seasons in total. The 2004/05 season represented their best in the Premier League, as they secured a 7th place finish. Otherwise, Boro have generally been comfortable in the top flight and often excelled in the cup competitions.
After finishing runners-up in the League Cup in 1997 and 1998, Boro won the trophy for the first time when, under Steve McClaren, they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium . Two years later, they were beaten by Sevilla in the Uefa Cup final after a dramatic run which saw them mount stunning late comebacks in the previous two rounds against Basel and Steaua Bucharest respectively.
Current manager Gareth Southgate helped the north east club to a 12th place finish last season. Middlesbrough paid the first-ever four-figure transfer fee for a player in 1905 when they spent £1,000 on centre forward Alf Common.
Club Heritage
Middlesbrough Football Club was originally formed in 1876 by Middlesbrough Cricket team players to stay fit during the winter. In 1877, they recorded their first-ever result, a 1-1 draw with Teesside Wanderers. The club was elected to the Football League in 1899, with their inaugural league win coming at home against Grimsby.
In 1903, the club moved to Ayresome Park from Linthorpe Road, where they had been playing since 1877. The club was relegated to the Second Division in the 1923-24 campaign after 22 straight seasons in the top flight. They were promoted again three seasons later, with striker George Camsell scoring 59 league goals.
After a number of promotions and relegations, one of the club's highest-ever goalscorers emerged in the 1950s during a 20-year spell outside the top flight. Brian Clough scored 204 goals in 222 games before leaving for Sunderland. Once established back in the First Division, the club won its first-ever silverware in the 1975-76 season. They lifted the Anglo-Scottish Cup after beating Fulham over two legs.
There were major fears that the club would fold permanently after experiencing severe financial difficulties in the mid 1980s. However, with just 10 minutes to go before the deadline to pay the £350,000 required for Football League registration, a consortium led by Steve Gibson, a board member at the time, produced the money necessary to compete in the 1986-87 season. Two successive promotions secured the club's place in Division One and they were in the top flight for the inaugural Premier League season.
Premier League History
1992-93 - Relegated from Premier League
1993-94 - Manager Lennie Lawrence resigns
1994-95 - Bryan Robson appointed as player-manager
1994-95 - Promoted from Division One
1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
2001-02 - Robson resigns in summer 2001
2001-02 - Steve McClaren appointed manager
2002-03 - Massimo Maccarone signs from Empoli for a club record £8.15million
2003-04 - League Cup winners
2005-06 - McClaren resigns
2006-07 - Gareth Southgate appointed manager
