The Fate of the 13 Original ‘British Super League’ Teams from 1982
In 1982, a proposal for a ‘British Super League’ was put forward, aiming to pit Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic against England’s top teams. Although the plans did not come to fruition, they sparked a renewed discussion in recent years. While nine of the clubs lined up to join the league are still in the Premier League today, two notable omissions were Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea, now one of England’s heavyweights and two-time Champions League winners, were surprisingly left out of the original British Super League plans. At the time, they had just finished 12th in the second tier and were bought by Ken Bates for only £1. It was not until Roman Abramovich’s £140 million takeover that Chelsea started to establish themselves as a top team in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest, led by Brian Clough, achieved European Cup glory in consecutive seasons in 1979 and 1980. However, they also failed to make the cut for the proposed league. Despite their past successes, both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest missed out on the opportunity to participate in the British Super League.
Let’s take a closer look at how the other six teams proposed for the league are faring today:
Everton:
During the 1980s, Everton won the title twice along with both the FA Cup and League Cup. They have remained a constant presence in the top-flight since then, adding another FA Cup in 1995. However, they currently face a tough fight to maintain their status after being deducted ten points and potentially facing a further six-point penalty.
Newcastle United:
Newcastle United, still searching for silverware, recently enjoyed a return to the Champions League under manager Eddie Howe. With their recent Saudi takeover, big things are expected for the Magpies in the future.
Aston Villa:
Aston Villa, like Newcastle, has been threatening to break the dominance of the ‘Big Six’ and qualify for the Champions League. Under the guidance of Unai Emery, they are currently performing well in the top-flight.
West Ham United:
West Ham United has experienced several promotions and relegations over the past 42 years. However, they are now in a completely different league compared to the early 1980s. With a 62,500 capacity stadium and regular European football appearances, the Hammers have firmly established themselves as a top team.
Leeds United:
Leeds United, once considered one of England’s big boys, enjoyed great success in the 1960s and 70s. After winning the last First Division title in 1992, they faced a 16-year absence from the top-flight before returning in 2020 under manager Marcelo Bielsa. Unfortunately, they were relegated again last year and currently compete in the Championship.
Sheffield Wednesday:
Another team that is no longer in the Premier League is Sheffield Wednesday. In 1982, they were in the Second Division but boasted an impressive stadium. They enjoyed an eight-season stay in the top-flight during the 1990s but have since struggled. Currently battling relegation in the Championship, they face a tough fight to avoid dropping into League One.
Although the British Super League never materialized in the 1980s, the discussion surrounding it has gained momentum in recent years. While some teams, such as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, missed out on the original proposal, others like Everton, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Leeds United, and Sheffield Wednesday have experienced varying levels of success since then. The question remains whether a British Super League will ever become a reality, but for now, these clubs continue to forge their own paths in the ever-changing landscape of English football.