English Premier League : An Overview

The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Football League. The Premier League is a corporation in which the 20 member clubs act as shareholders. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 38 matches each, totalling 380 matches in the season. Most games are played in the afternoons of Saturdays and Sundays, the other games during weekday evenings. It is currently sponsored by Barclays Bank and thus officially known as the Barclays Premier League. Outside England it is commonly referred to as the English Premier League (EPL). The Premier League have two teams in the top five UEFA rankings: Chelsea is 5th, and Manchester United is 3rd.

The competition formed as the FA Premier League on 20 February 1992 following the decision of clubs in the Football League First Division to break away from The Football League, which was originally founded in 1888, and take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal. This deal will be worth £3 billion as of 2013–14, with BSkyB and BT Group securing the rights to broadcast 116 and 38 games respectively. The Premier League is the most-watched football league in the world, broadcast in 212 territories to an audience of 643 million viewers. In the 2010–11 season the average Premier League match attendance was 35,363, the second highest of any professional football league other than the German Bundesliga, and stadium occupancy was 92.2% capacity. The Premier League ranked first in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) coefficients of leagues based on performances in European competitions over the last five years.

Since 1888, a total of 23 clubs have been crowned champions of the English football system. Of the 45 clubs to have competed since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, five have won the title: Manchester United (12 titles), Arsenal (3), Chelsea (3), Blackburn Rovers (1) and Manchester City (1). The current champions are Manchester City, who won the title in the 2011–12 season.

Season	Champions
1992–93	Manchester United
1993–94	Manchester United
1994–95	Blackburn Rovers
1995–96	Manchester United
1996–97	Manchester United
1997–98	Arsenal
1998–99	Manchester United
1999–2000	Manchester United
2000–01	Manchester United
2001–02	Arsenal
2002–03	Manchester United
2003–04	Arsenal
2004–05	Chelsea
2005–06	Chelsea
2006–07	Manchester United
2007–08	Manchester United
2008–09	Manchester United
2009–10	Chelsea
2010–11	Manchester United
2011–12	Manchester City

Origins

Despite significant European success during the 1970s and early 1980s, the late '80s had marked a low point for English football. Stadia were crumbling, supporters endured poor facilities, hooliganism was rife, and English clubs were banned from European competition for five years following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985. The Football League First Division, which had been the top level of English football since 1888, was well behind leagues such as Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga in attendances and revenues, and several top English players had moved abroad. However, by the turn of the 1990s the downward trend was starting to reverse; England had been successful in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals. UEFA, European football's governing body, lifted the five-year ban on English clubs playing in European competitions in 1990 (resulting in Manchester United lifting the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1991) and the Taylor Report on stadium safety standards, which proposed expensive upgrades to create all-seater stadia in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, was published in January of that year.

Television money had also become much more important; the Football League received £6.3 million for a two-year agreement in 1986, but when that deal was renewed in 1988, the price rose to £44 million over four years. The 1988 negotiations were the first signs of a breakaway league; ten clubs threatened to leave and form a "super league", but were eventually persuaded to stay. As stadia improved and match attendance and revenues rose, the country's top teams again considered leaving the Football League in order to capitalise on the growing influx of money being pumped into the sport.

Foundation

At the close of the 1991 season, a proposal for the establishment of a new league was tabled that would bring more money into the game overall. The Founder Members Agreement, signed on 17 July 1991 by the game's top-flight clubs, established the basic principles for setting up the FA Premier League. The newly formed top division would have commercial independence from The Football Association and the Football League, giving the FA Premier League licence to negotiate its own broadcast and sponsorship agreements. The argument given at the time was that the extra income would allow English clubs to compete with teams across Europe.

In 1992 the First Division clubs resigned from the Football League en masse and on 27 May 1992 the FA Premier League was formed as a limited company working out of an office at the Football Association's then headquarters in Lancaster Gate. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions; the Premier League would operate with a single division and the Football League with three. There was no change in competition format; the same number of teams competed in the top flight, and promotion and relegation between the Premier League and the new First Division remained the same as the old First and Second Divisions with three teams relegated from the league and three promoted.^[11]

The league held its first season in 1992–93 and was originally composed of 22 clubs. The first ever Premier League goal was scored by Brian Deane of Sheffield United in a 2–1 win against Manchester United. The 22 inaugural members of the new Premier League were Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Oldham Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wimbledon. Luton Town, Notts County and West Ham United were the three teams relegated from the old first division at the end of the 1991–92 season, and did not take part in the inaugural Premier League season.

Development

Due to insistence by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the international governing body of football, that domestic leagues reduce the number of games clubs played, the number of clubs was reduced to 20 in 1995 when four teams were relegated from the league and only two teams promoted. On 8 June 2006, FIFA requested that all major European leagues, including Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga be reduced to 18 teams by the start of the 2007–08 season. The Premier League responded by announcing their intention to resist such a reduction. Ultimately, the 2007–08 season kicked off again with 20 teams. The league changed its name from the FA Premier League to simply the Premier League in 2007. Welsh club Swansea City were promoted to the Premier League for the 2011–12 season. They were the first non-English team to compete in the Premier League. On 20 August 2011, the first Premier League match to be played outside England was between Swansea City and Wigan Athletic at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales.

Corporate structure

The Premier League is operated as a corporation and is owned by the 20 member clubs. Each club is a shareholder, with one vote each on issues such as rule changes and contracts. The clubs elect a chairman, chief executive, and board of directors to oversee the daily operations of the league. The current chairman is Sir Dave Richards, who was appointed in April 1999, and the chief executive is Richard Scudamore, appointed in November 1999. The former chairman and chief executive, John Quinton and Peter Leaver, were forced to resign in March 1999 after awarding consultancy contracts to former Sky executives Sam Chisholm and David Chance. The Football Association is not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the Premier League, but has veto power as a special shareholder during the election of the chairman and chief executive and when new rules are adopted by the league.

The Premier League sends representatives to UEFA's European Club Association, the number of clubs and the clubs themselves chosen according to UEFA coefficients. For the 2010–11 season the Premier League had 10 representatives in the Association: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. The European Club Association is responsible for electing three members to UEFA's Club Competitions Committee, which is involved in the operations of UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

Competition format

Competition

There are 20 clubs in the Premier League. During the course of a season (from August to May) each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 38 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion. If points are equal, the goal difference and then goals scored determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank. The three lowest placed teams are relegated into the Football League Championship, and the top two teams from the Championship, together with the winner of play-offs involving the third to sixth placed Championship clubs, are promoted in their place.

Qualification for European competitions

Arsenal against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in 2011

As of the 2009–10 season qualification for the UEFA Champions League changed, the top four teams in the Premier League qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with the top three teams directly entering the group stage. Previously only the top two teams qualified automatically. The fourth-placed team enters the Champions League at the play-off round for non-champions and must win a two-legged knockout tie in order to enter the group stage. The team placed fifth in the Premier League automatically qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, and the sixth and seventh-placed teams can also qualify, depending on the winners and runners-up of the two domestic cup competitions. Two Europa League places are reserved for the winner of each of the domestic cup competitions; if the winner of the FA Cup qualifies for the Champions League, then that place will go to the runner-up, and if the runner-up is also already qualified, then that place will go to the next-best placed finisher in the Premier League. If the winner of the League Cup has already qualified, that place goes to the next-best placed team in the league. A further place in the UEFA Europa League is also available via the Fair Play initiative. If the Premier League has one of the three highest Fair Play rankings in Europe, the highest ranked team in the Premier League Fair Play standings which has not already qualified for Europe will automatically qualify for the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.

An exception to the usual European qualification system happened in 2005, after Liverpool won the Champions League the year before, but did not finish in a Champions League qualification place in the Premier League that season. UEFA gave special dispensation for Liverpool to enter the Champions League, giving England five qualifiers. UEFA subsequently ruled that the defending champions qualify for the competition the following year regardless of their domestic league placing. However, for those leagues with four entrants in the Champions League, this meant that if the Champions League winner finished outside the top four in its domestic league, it would qualify at the expense of the fourth-placed team in the league. No association can have more than four entrants in the Champions League. This occurred in 2012, when Chelsea – who had won the Champions League the previous year, but finished sixth in the league – qualified for the Champions League in place of Tottenham Hotspur, who went into the Europa League.

In 2007, the Premier League became the highest ranking European League based on the performances of English teams in European competitions over a five-year period. This broke the eight-year dominance of the Spanish league, La Liga. The top three leagues in Europe are currently allowed to enter four teams into the Champions League. Michel Platini, the UEFA president, had proposed taking one place from the top three leagues and allocating it to that nation's cup winners. This proposal was rejected in a vote at a UEFA Strategy Council meeting. In the same meeting, however, it was agreed that the third-placed team in the top four leagues would receive automatic qualification for the group stage, rather than entry into the third qualifying round, while the fourth-placed team would enter the play-off round for non-champions, guaranteeing an opponent from one of the top 15 leagues in Europe. This was part of Platini's plan to increase the number of teams qualifying directly into the group stage, while simultaneously increasing the number of teams from lower-ranked nations in the group stage.

Trophy

The current Premier League trophy was created by Royal Jewellers Asprey of London. It consists of a trophy with a golden crown and a malachite plinth base. The plinth weighs 33 lbs (15 kg) and the trophy weighs 22 lbs (10 kg). The trophy and plinth are 76 cm (30 in) tall, 43 cm (17 in) wide and 25 cm (9.8 in) deep.

Its main body is solid sterling silver and silver gilt, while its plinth is made of malachite, a semi-precious stone. The plinth has a silver band around its circumference, upon which the names of the title-winning clubs are listed. Malachite's green colour is also representative of the green field of play. The design of the trophy is based on the heraldry of Three Lions that is associated with English football. Two of the lions are found above the handles on either side of the trophy – the third is symbolised by the captain of the title winning team as he raises the trophy, and its gold crown, above his head at the end of the season. In 2004, a special gold version of the trophy was commissioned to commemorate Arsenal winning the title without a single defeat.

Sponsorship

The Premier League has been sponsored since 1993. The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. There have been three sponsors since the league's formation.

• 1993–2001: Carling (FA Carling Premiership)
• 2001–2004: Barclaycard (Barclaycard Premiership)
• 2004–present: Barclays (Barclays Premiership (until 2007) then Barclays Premier League)

As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Premier League has a number of official partners and suppliers. The official ball supplier for the league is Nike who have had the contract since the 2000–01 season when they took over from Mitre.

What They Need on Transfer Deadline Day

The transfer window shuts on Friday night and each sign points to a frantic conclusion to August's business as clubs terminate their squads till Jan.

Despite having had all summer to form those crucial alterations, there'll be that acquainted unpunctual tramcar dash to the road and on the far side by Premier League clubs to sign the players who might create the distinction.

Where your team would like to strengthen? Who are the players you'd select as reinforcements? Have your say here.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has had the revolving door fitted at The Emirates with Robin van Persie and Alex Song out with Lukas Podolski, olivier Giroud and therefore the outstanding Santi Cazorla in.

Theo Walcott's name has been mentioned as a attainable late departure thus Wenger still has work to try to.

@DarrenArsenal1 says: "Arsene Wenger will not be able to win with several no matter he will however in my mind we have a tendency to square measure short within the depth department. we have a tendency to square measure probably one injury away in an exceedingly number of positions and would love to suppose that will be addressed . Personally, we want a central heart who are often a cross between a creator or a defensive midfielder. a definite Everton player (we'll presume Darren means that Marouane Fellaini here) involves mind and would love to examine us get a forward. Love Llorente however Pedro or Villa from metropolis would do me fine.

"I suppose the squad overhaul would be complete if we have a tendency to brought in what AW calls "special" before the point in time."

Aston Villa

New manager Paul Lambert has been functioning on a restricted budget since succeeding Alex McLeish however a poor begin to the season means that he should for sure strengthen in key areas. The priority would seem to be providing goalscoring help for Darren Bent - thence the £6m bid for Genk striker Christian Benteke. Left-back was another space of attention and Villa have signed Joe airman from Middlesbrough.

@83_tm tweets: "Villa would like a striker who will join up with our heart. At the instant Bent is cutting AN isolated figure."

@WhittakerWill adds: "AVFC desires a left-back, offensive midfielder and striker and that is only for starters."

Chelsea

Chelsea's business could be done once a lavish summer outlay that brought within the likes of Eden Hazard, honor and Victor Moses. can Roberto di Matteo be tempted to do and strengthen in attack before weekday night?

Here's what @GameOverRob thinks: "Great signings this window however I feel with solely two recognised strikers we are light in this department."

Everton

Everton have brought in Steven Pienaar, Steven pedagogue and Kevin Mirallas during this window - however once an outstanding begin to the season manager David Moyes insists he needs a lot of new faces.

He can wish to strengthen in heart and attack and has been joined with Liverpool's Charlie Adam and Dundee United striker Confederate soldier Russell. Michael Owen is known to be watching for Everton's decision - however no sign of it returning yet.

@DavidWilkinson tweets: "EFC would like a winger. i might like to see Tom Ince are available then it's prime four for sure" however @philarrow insists: "At EFC we have a tendency to simply would like a magic sponge and a few specific plasters as a result of if our squad stays match it's about to be an excellent season."

Fulham

Fulham should move quickly to interchange Tottenham-bound Mousa Dembele and Sunderland manager Martin dramatist has confirmed they need had a suggestion accepted for Kieran Richardson. they need conjointly been joined with a £6.5m move for Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis.

So what would Fulham fans like? are they proud of Martin Jol's squad?

@Tom_Collard_ESQ said: "Not extremely. With Dembele gone ANd prizefighter not trying like pull on an FFC shirt before long we want a playmaker."

@rufus_thompson adds: "The 2 Dems off and 2 days left to herald concerning 5 replacements, Jol higher be busy."

Liverpool

Brendan Richard Rodgers are terribly busy if he gets the prospect as he can wish to feature further dimension and military strength to his squad. Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal athlete Theo Walcott are mentioned - and there's little doubt wherever their fans wish to examine strong. they require a lot of goal threat up front.

@mc_colster insists: "Liverpool would like a 20-goal a season striker or the Champions League goes to be nothing however a dream. Darren Bent?" @KevHegart adds: "LFC desires a goalscorer, left-back and defensive heart cowl. And positively take Walcott counting on the value."

Manchester City

Manchester City's main targets this summer were Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie, Javi Martinez and Daniele Delaware Rossi. None arrived, a mirrored image that despite their wealth The Etihad's abu dhabi homeowners and manager Roberto Mancini weren't ready to be pushed on costs and wages.

Central defence, central heart and another wide man to interchange the departed Adam Johnson look to be the holes that manager Roberto Mancini needs to fill. Serbian juvenile Matija Nastasic can add defensive strength whereas Theo Walcott's contract stalemate at Arsenal has created interest. The deal to bring Scott Sinclair from swansea city is current.

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has bought massive in attack with the arrival of Robin van Persie from Arsenal whereas Shinji Kagawa has already created his presence felt in heart - however Manchester United fans still feel the presence of a powerhouse is missing, with many feedback from supporters wish they'd outflanked Spurs for Fulham's Mousa Dembele, thus spectacular at recent Trafford on Sabbatum.

Ferguson, however, appears proud of what he has.

Newcastle United

Having created no any progress - nevertheless - with interest in Liverpool's former newcastle striker Andy writer and lille defender Mathieu Debuchy, Alan Pardew could be glad with holding the players that took them to an outstanding fifth last season.

Seems to be a sense among fans that defence stills desires strengthening although, with @fatfeeky saying: "With town not about to QPR perhaps NUFC ought to invest in an exceedingly sold-out defender to assist Coloccini." @JackStanley86 says: "Ideally would like a full back, centre back and a striker however not about to happen currently. need to simply trust club and hope we've enough."

Norwich City

Norwich steady things with their 1st purpose of the season against QPR, however it's doubtless all manager Chris Hughton's business is finished.

Fans views? @GazzaTCC says: "Norwich squad appearance short on hanging power with AN over reliance on Grant Holt & not a lot of thenceforth. New striker please." @garyj71 agrees: "Need another striker however all different positions appear well lined. undecided Holt will do the business once more."

Queen's Park Rangers

Manager Mark Hughes has created no secret of wherever his priorities lie. once the 5-0 gap day home defeat to metropolis town he created moves for Tottenham's Michael town and Real Madrid's Ricardo Carvalho. thus far they need not come back to fruition and therefore the surprise move for entomb Milan's Julio Cesar can increase pressure on Robert inexperienced.

Money to pay. Strengthening to try to to. Expect QPR to be busy till the ultimate moments of the transfer window.

Reading

Reading manager Brian McDermott has complete his main business however there could also be space for manouevre backed by new Russian owner Anton Zingarevich.

@bennyshaw316 says: "I would love us to shop for or loan another centre back just in case of long injury to Gorkss, Pearce or Mariappa." @RichSansom adds: "Think an extra striker would nice, further military strength. Reports of Jordan Ayew returning would hit the spot."

Southampton

Plenty of Southampton fans created their feelings clear and that they all wish constant factor. @alexdmcinnes summed it au courant Twitter: "Saints - defence, defence, defence." @LePrit agreed: "Great going forward however urgently ought to bolster our defence. 2 quality, versatile defenders please."

Stoke City

Manager Tony Pulis flagged up thusme excitement in his programme notes for the Capital One Cup meeting with Swindon city once he said: "We're attempting to herald different players so clutch, it {could be|might be|can be|may be|may we have a tendency toll be} a busy few hours if we get our manner."

Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone is one obvious target whereas his team-mate Michael town might conjointly attract attention. Blackburn's Steven Nzonzi is another name on the microwave radar and Pulis has spoken in public concerning his admiration for Michael Owen - might tend be the club to grant him one last fling within the Premier League?

@sutt456 says on Twitter: "Stoke urgently would like a ball playing/creative midfielder i.e Nzonzi, Adam or Huddlestone."

Sunderland

The big business was finished the arrival of Steven playwright from Wolves and therefore the coup of tempting England winger Adam Johnson from Manchester town - however might a lot of new arrivals be round the corner in an exceedingly agitated finish to the summer at The arena of Light?

Manager Martin dramatist has been powerfully joined with Tottenham's Michael town and Fulham outcast Clint prizefighter. If he pulls those deals off it might complete a quartet of signings designed to remodel his team.

@reubengready wants: "Left-back (Strinic/Olsson) and centre back (Dawson) for Sunderland. conjointly would not say no to prizefighter - clearly."

Swansea

Flawless begin below new manager Michael Laudrup however still uncertainty concerning whether or not the powerful Scott Sinclair can move with a hold-up to his planned £6.2m move to Manchester City. they need been joined with proficient Crewe captain Ashley Westwood however can hope to possess Sinclair's future processed with the club in such buoyant mood.

Tottenham

Now this can be wherever the $64000 action are. Tottenham have historically been busy on transfer point in time day below former manager Harry Redknapp, however be careful even a lot of frantic late night activity at White Hart Lane as chairman Daniel Levy swings into action once mercantilism Luka Modric to Real national capital.

Mousa Dembele is on the manner, France keeper novelist Lloris is another target whereas Spurs haven't nevertheless given au courant linguistic communication Andre Villas-Boas prime target, Portugal's Joao Moutinho from Porto. Marseille's Loic Remy gets a mention whereas CSKA national capital forward Alan Dzagoev and Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian are within the frame. be careful for departures too. Strap yourself in Spurs fans.

@PaulGrigg77 says: "Happy with thus far however, for me, even with beverage, we have a tendency to lack firepower thus would like another striker." @Dale_Ward_ adds: "Happy Modric adventure story is over, proud of Adebayor and Dembele. however suppose another inventive midfielder and another striker required."

West Bromwich Albion

All appears serene at The Hawthorns once four points from their 1st 2 games below new manager Steve Clarke, however he's longing for a defender to bolster his squad. they need been joined with Blackburn's Martin Olsson sought-after FC Danish capital left-back Bryan city - who has also been watched by Everton.

West Ham United

West Ham manager surface-to-air missile Allardyce has done many business however has reached a dead finish together with his pursuit of Liverpool's Andy writer whereas speculation linking him with a move for one more Anfield star, former Hammers' midfield man Joe Cole, appearance wide of the mark.

Allardyce can try and do deals wherever he will, however, thus don't rule out some late activity.

@tobyhutton123 believes he is aware of what's needed as he Tweets: "Need a little a lot of pace in our squad."

Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic suffered a blow with the loss of Victor Moses to Chelsea, departure manager Roberto Martinez with £9m in transfer funds - however their supporters stay upbeat concerning additions.

@MissMarsh95 says: "Personally suppose we have a tendency to square measure trying a good aspect with depth in positions too, however perhaps a replacement for Moses! Tom Ince." @MikeGoodman25 is additionally pretty happy as he adds: "Maybe somebody in central heart, somebody for Moses too, however we have an excellent squad. Would be happy to stay with what we have although."