The Ultimate Guide to the English Football League Pyramid System

The English Football League System is also known as the English Football Pyramid is a hierarchical system of professional and semi-professional football leagues in England bound together by a system of promotion, delegation and two national football competitions.  The English Football League system is designed to allow clubs to progress up the pyramid as they become more successful and increase their fan base, revenue and infrastructure. Conversely, clubs can also be relegated down the pyramid if they perform poorly, leading to a constant turnover of teams and a competitive system that is unique to English football.

William McGregor: The Visionary Who Created the English Football League

William McGregor is widely regarded as the originator of contemporary football and the initiator of the English Football League. He is credited with establishing the first football league competition, where teams competed in both home and away fixtures arranged season by season. McGregor’s efforts led to the formation of a league comprising 12 of the most notable clubs in the country in 1888, which can be found on this page: Football League Club’s Divisional Records from 1888-89 to today.

The English Football League Pyramid: From the Premier League to Grassroots

Premier League: At the top of the English football league pyramid is the Premier League, a 20-club league widely regarded as one of the best in the world. It is also the most-watched sports league in the world and attracts some of the best players from around the globe.

English Football League (EFL): Beneath the Premier League is the English Football League, which is divided into three divisions: the Championship, League One, and League Two. The Championship is the second-highest division in the pyramid and is known for its intense promotion and relegation battles. League One and League Two are the third and fourth tiers of the pyramid, respectively, and often provide a stepping stone for players and managers looking to progress to higher levels.

National League System: Beneath the EFL is the National League System, a nationwide feeder system to the EFL with 57 leagues featuring 84 divisions. Similar to the levels above, the top tier leagues—the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, and National League—are all full-time professional leagues with one division each. Note that the number of clubs in a league can vary from year to year due to a variety of factors.

Grassroots Leagues: At the bottom of the pyramid are the grassroots leagues, which consist of local leagues and clubs that are often run by volunteers. These leagues provide an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to play football and enjoy the sport at a community level.

English Football League Competitions

The Football League Cup and FA cup are contested by 92 clubs from the top four tiers of English football: 

1. Premier League

2. Championship

3. League One

4. League Two

Thirty-two surviving teams out of 640 teams from the National League System that started the competition in the qualifying round also compete the FA Cup.

The Football Association Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) is English football‘s annual match contested at Wembley Stadium between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup.

Summary

The English football league pyramid is a unique and exciting system that has produced some of the world’s best players and most competitive leagues. It allows clubs to progress and compete at higher levels as they grow, while also providing opportunities for grassroots football to flourish. Whether you are a fan of the Premier League or a local amateur team, there is something for everyone in the English football league pyramid.