Top Ten: Premier League returns

By James Pearson   Last updated: 29th August 2008

Top Ten Premier League Seasons Duff Beardsley Collymore

Duff, Beardsley and Collymore

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Following decent starts to the new season from new-boys Hull City and Stoke City, skysports.com has decided to look back over the years to see what other newly-promoted sides have impressed in England's top-flight on the back of promotion.

Nottingham Forest (94/95)

Arguably the best Premier League return was achieved by Nottingham Forest in the 1994/95 campaign. Stan Collymore was a decent enough First Division striker, although few could have predicted that paired with Dutchman Bryan Roy up front the duo would become one of the most feared top-flight partnerships. One of their best results came in the shape of a 2-1 success at Old Trafford courtesy of goals from Stuart Pearce and Collymore - The Red Devils' only Premier League defeat at home throughout the season. Forest finished the season a stunning third securing Uefa Cup football in the process - their first European campaign of the post-Heysel era.

Reading (06/07)

On 25 March 2006, Reading won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. Many expected a season of struggle for The Royals, but after coming from two goals down on the opening day of the season against Middlesbrough they went on to secure draws against Manchester United and Chelsea. A season high came in the shape of a 6-0 thumping of struggling West Ham. Reading eventually finished in eighth spot, just three points behind sixth-placed Everton.

Ipswich (00/01)

Ipswich Town took the Premier League by storm in the 2000/01 season. Little was expected of George Burley's men after only securing top-flight football via a 4-2 play-off final success over Barnsley. However, helped by goals from Marcus Stewart, the East Anglian outfit helped themselves to 20 league wins, including impressive away wins at Leeds, Liverpool and Everton. Although for some time it looked like Ipswich would secure a top three finish they ended up in fifth - securing Uefa Cup football for the first time since 1982.

Wigan (05/06)

Wigan's 10th placed finish was arguably the shock of the 2005/06 Premier League campaign. Paul Jewell's Latics were most pundits' favourites for the drop, but their desire and commitment won praise from many in the game. Although it was Wigan's first-ever season in the Premier League by late October they were riding high in second. While they fell out of contention late on, they still reached the Carling Cup final in what was a hugely enjoyable season for the club's fans.

Man City (02/03)

A ninth-placed Premier League finish for Manchester City might not seem a lot, but considering they were relegated two seasons prior, it was a decent effort by Kevin Keegan's men. The season marked City's final campaign at 80-year-old Maine Road and they were determined to go out on a high note. The season high came in the shape of a 3-1 success over arch-rivals Manchester United. Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cancelled out Nicolas Anelka's early opener a brace from Shaun Goater has City fans rejoicing. They also claimed a 2-1 success at Anfield in their final away match of the season courtesy of Anelka's brace.

Blackburn (01/02)

For much of the 2001/02 season Blackburn found themselves battling against a swift return to the First Division. However, following their Carling Cup success over Tottenham, Graeme Souness' side finished the season on the up - aided by Andy Cole's goals. The striker arrived from Manchester United and finished as the club's second highest league scorer behind Matt Jansen despite just the 15 league starts. Wins over Villa, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Everton and Fulham in the final few months of the season saw them win 10th spot.

Newcastle (93/94)

Although many remember Newcastle's best years as their title-challenging seasons in 95/96 and 96/97, their debut campaign in the Premier League is quite possibly their most successful. The return of Peter Beardsley created a prolific strike partnership with the young Andy Cole which produced 59 goals in the Premier League alone and almost single handedly secured a third place finish and Uefa Cup qualification - the club's first foray into Europe since the 1970s. The Magpies finished with a +41 goal difference, just one shy of champions Manchester United.

Blackburn (92/93)

Blackburn were an ambitious club after winning promotion at the end of the 1992 season following a 26-year top-flight exile. They underlined their ambition by breaking the English transfer record to sign 22-year-old Alan Shearer from Southampton for £3.5million. The future England captain weighed in with a healthy 16 league goals. With Mike Newell also collecting 13 top-flight goals Rovers finished a lofty fourth just three points behind second-placed Aston Villa.

Middlesbrough (95/96)

Many remember Middlesbrough's 1995/96 campaign for a mid-season slump, although to finish 12th on the back of promotion is still a very good effort. The arrival of fans' favourite Juninho for £4.75million provided flair and creativity for Bryan Robson's men in their new Riverside Stadium. Highs included home wins over Chelsea and Liverpool. Despite their disastrous mid-season slump that saw them lose 11 games out of 12, a steady run in the final stretch to finish a healthy 12th - their highest league finish for nearly 20 years.

Finally, Bradford (99/00)

Bradford may only have won nine league games during the 1999/2000 campaign, but to simply avoid relegation has to go down as a major success. Again, Paul Jewell was the man behind the success, although he is remembered more for walking out on The Bantams to join Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. David Wetherall's goal on the final day of the season gave the West Yorkshire side a surprise 1-0 victory over Liverpool which secured the top division place that the Bantams had spent 77 years trying to regain.

Comments

Luke Bradley (Leeds United fan) says...

how about the 64-65 season when revie got Leeds to the 1st divison and we came 2nd in our first season, surly thats an achivement, especially as revie took charge when we nearly got relegated to division 3!

Posted 08:49 27th October 2008

Stu Smith (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

Forest first season back after Brian Clough was little short of phenomenal. The 2 - 1 away win at Old Trafford was a highlight but there were many more too. The away win against Tottenham 4 - 1 was brilliant as was the record 7 - 1 away win (at the time) against Sheffield Wednesday. Stan Collymore could have gone on to be one of the best players in the world if he'd stayed where he was loved by the fans & not lost his head

Posted 15:17 1st September 2008

Gary Hollern (Sunderland fan) says...

What about Sunderland 98/99 Phillips and Quinn 2 seventh placed finishes and a golden boot

Posted 10:44 30th August 2008

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