Five clubs who you didn't know played in the Premier League

Modified Jul 06, 2017 13:47 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Coventry City celebrate with the trophy after winning the EFL Checkatrade Trophy Final between Coventry City v Oxford United at Wembley Stadium on April 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) — *Coventry City – now languishing in League Two – were once Premier League mainstays*

#4 Barnsley

Jason Euell of Wimbledon and Darren Sheridan of Barnsley : News Photo — *Barnsley’s Premier League tenure was painfully short for Barnsley*

Another one-season wonder, Barnsley won promotion to the Premier League in 1996/97 after finishing as runners-up in Division One behind champions Bolton. It was the first time they managed to get into England’s top division after 99 years of being members of the football league, but unfortunately it would be their only stay there.

While they reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1997/98 – even beating Man United along the way – they still finished 19^th in the league, a solid five points away from survival. Manager Danny Wilson – the mastermind behind their promotion – then abandoned ship for Sheffield Wednesday, and the Tykes didn’t come close to another Premier League run, instead finishing 13^th in Division One in 1998/99.

A year later they managed to make the play-off final – the last one at the old Wembley Stadium – but lost to Ipswich and shortly after, they were relegated into Division Two and were also hit with administration, with the town’s mayor stepping in for a takeover to save the club.

Recent seasons – since 2013/14 – have seen them bounce from the Championship into League One and back, and although they finished a solid 14^th in the Championship’s mid-table last season, they’re not expected to be pushing for promotion in 2017/18.

Edited by Staff Editor