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Smallest Premier League Clubs in History: 2023 Edition

Among the smallest Premier League clubs ever is a Premier League title winner, and a team playing in an area ranked 258th for population size in England. 

Smallest Premier League Clubs

These clubs are punching above their weight, playing in the best league in the world. Let’s take a look at the six smallest Premier League clubs in history.

6. Swindon Town FC

Positioned 71 miles (114 km) west of London, Swindon Town had a population of close to 170,000 during its only Premier League season*, making Swindon Town FC one of the smallest Premier League clubs of all time.

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was player-manager at Swindon Town, and earned promotion to the Premier League after a fifth place finish in Division One with a 4-3 win over Leicester City in the play-off final in 1993.

Only days after earning Premier League promotion however, Hoddle had accepted an offer to become manager at Chelsea.

The 1993-94 season was Swindon Towns’ one and only season in the Premier League. It wasn’t one of the *worst seasons of all time*, but it wasn’t far away either.

A 7-1 hammering by Newcastle United, a 15- game winless streak, a 7-game losing streak, a record 100 goals conceded, and five wins from 42 games, sums up Swindon Towns’ only Premier League season.

5. Blackburn Rovers

The Lancashire town of Blackburn had a population of just over 137,000 people following their return to top flight football in 1992.

It was the first time Blackburn Rovers were in the highest division since the mid-60s, and was just in time for the launch of the inaugural Premier League season.

Kenny Dalglish had rescued a faltering Blackburn in the second division after taking over in October 1991. He’d done enough to earn promotion after finishing 6th and winning a play-off final over Leicester City.

Blackburn’s first year in the Premier League saw the arrival of Alan Shearer and they finished fourth. In the 1994-95 season, Blackburn Rovers became the smallest club ever to win the English Premier League.

Dalglish became only the fourth manager in history to win the top flight with two different clubs, doing so with Liverpool before joining Blackburn.

4. Wigan Athletic

The Greater Manchester town of Wigan had a population of around 103,000 when they earned promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2005.

One of the smallest Premier League clubs of all time, Wigan’s promotion was a huge achievement for what’s historically been a “rugby town”.

Founded in 1932, Wigan Athletic only earned a place in the Football League in 1978, and were playing fourth-tier football in 1997. A rapid rise saw Wigan promoted into the Premier League in 2005 under the ownership of Dave Whelen.

Wigan had an eight season stay in the Premier League and were relegated in 2013. They were the first team to ever win the FA Cup and suffer relegation in the same season.

In 2015 they’d suffer another relegation and would play in League One. 

3. Barnsley

Barnsley is a market town in South Yorkshire. Founded in 1887, most of Barnsley’s history has been in the second tier, with the 1960’s and 70’s spent anchored to the bottom of the Football League.

In 1997 Barnsley finally made the top flight after earning promotion to the Premier League. With a population of around 90,000 during that season, Barnsley is one of the smallest Premier League clubs ever.

Despite their size, the town’s football club punches well above their weight and have developed a reputation over the years for being FA Cup giant-killers.

After only one season in the Premier League,  Barnsley suffered relegation with a 19th place finish, but still managed to defeat Liverpool at Anfield, and Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on their way to reaching the quarter-finals.

2. West Bromwich Albion

The market town of West Bromwich has a population of around 78,000. Founded in 1888, West Bromwich Albion has only been outside of the top two divisions for one season in their entry history.

Despite being a small town in the West Midlands, West Bromwich fans are recognised as having some of the best supporters in England.

For one of the smallest Premier League clubs in history, West Bromwich have a strong support across the UK and the world, including supporter groups in Croatia, America, Malta and Dubai.

West Brom did win the First Division in 1919-20, but they started the Premier League era in the third tier, their only ever season outside the top two divisions.

Promotion to the Premier League for the first time was earned in 2001 they and earned their best ever finish in the 2012-13 season by finishing 8th.

1. Burnley

The Lancashire town of Burnley has a little over 73,000 people, and the district is ranked 258th by population in England.

Burnley is one of the best supported clubs per capita, with crowds of over 20,000 cramming in at Turf Moor.

The club was one of the first clubs in England to become professional in 1883, and they won the first division twice – in 1920-21 and 1959-60 – and the FA Cup once in 1914.

Shortly after Burnley’s second league championship in 1960, the maximum wage cap was removed and smaller towns like Burnley found it hard to compete financially against more populated towns and cities.

In 1986–87 they were very lucky not to have been relegated out of the Football League altogether with final day results going their way.

Burnley gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever in 2009, becoming the smallest club in Premier League history in the process.

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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