Top Ten: Seasons of disaster

Last updated: 18th April 2008

Jewell Paul Derby manager

Derby: Worst season ever?

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Derby 2007/08

The Rams have endured a truly miserable campaign, with the club currently on course to become the worst side in Premier League history on the back of their 28-match winless streak. Their misery is compounded as their current points tally of 11 is set to claim the unwanted record of the Premier League's lowest haul. After a torrid start to the season, which included cringe-worthy losses against Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham, Paul Jewell replaced Billy Davies at the helm. But with the club already in dire straits, their fate was sealed in March following a 2-2 draw to Fulham as they became the first club to be relegated from the Premier League before April.

Miami Dolphins 2006/07

The Miami Dolphins went 1-15 (one victory, 15 losses) last season, which tied the NFL record for the most defeats in a campaign. Shortly after the season finale, newly appointed head of operations Bill Parcells sacked GM Randy Mueller and then head coach Cam Camero along with the vast majority of his staff. Ironically, they are the only team to have ever experienced a perfect campaign from start all the way through to the Super Bowl.

Sunderland 2002/03 and 2005/06

We thought it best to bundle Sunderland's two forgettable seasons together in order to relieve their fans of a double dose of reminiscent pain. In 2003, Mick McCarthy's men managed a feeble 19 points - the first team to finish below 20 points. The Black Cats then rounded off the campaign with 15 consecutive losses. In 2006, Sunderland endured further agony, this time managing just 15 points all season. A nightmarish few years in the top flight for the Stadium of Light club.

Leigh Centurions 2004/05

Leigh Centurions' one-and-only Super League season saw them manage a grand total of five points and a minus 765 points difference. They were relegated back to National League One after winning just two matches. Coach Darren Abram resigned in August 2005 after a disagreement with the board. They have not returned to the Super League since.

Nottingham Forest 2004/05

Another tale of experiencing the giddy heights of success before suffering the cutting pain of relegation. Forest became the first team to win the European Cup and then eventually be demoted to the third tier. Gary Megson took charge of the City Ground club in January 2005 in a bid to turn their fortunes. But he was helpless in avoiding Forest's dreaded fate.

West Brom 2002/03

The Baggies felt the pain of the drop in their first Premier League season after a 16-year wait. Sunderland's woes diverted much attention away from West Brom's own failings as they managed 26 points compared to the The Black Cats' meagre 19. Despite an early season flurry, where they claimed three successive wins and rose to seventh, West Brom soon slipped to the murky depths of the table.

Ipswich 1994/95

Ipswich's ghastly campaign was summarised by their foul 9-0 mauling at Old Trafford - the worst loss in Premier League history. The Tractor Boys mustered just 27 points during the 42-match term. They finished the season an eye-opening 21 points from safety and with a goal difference of minus 57 - not helped by six defeats which saw them conceded more than four goals.

Leicester 1994/95

The Foxes may not have finished bottom of the table, but after failing to climb out of the relegation places from November their season had all the hallmarks of a disaster. Leicester spent three consecutive campaigns battling in the play-offs in a bid to reach the top flight. However, their efforts were shattered as they accumulated just 29 points from their 42 games. Mark McGhee's tenure was soon terminated, and he was replaced by the impressive Martin O'Neill.

Swindon 1993/94

Swindon's 42-game campaign - their only in the top flight to date - was a rotten affair, to say the least. They remained suckered to the bottom of the table throughout season, leaking a century of goals in the process. The Robins' highlight came via a 2-2 draw with champions Manchester United. Their final points haul ended at 30.

Atletico Madrid 1999/00

Atletico went from heroes to villains as their dramatic capitulation took course. In 1996, the Spanish club - after much spending - claimed a La Liga and Copa del Rey double. However, they were soon brought spiralling back down to earth as the 1999/00 season saw Claudio Ranieri's side relegated to the Segunda Division, where they spent the next two seasons. Ranieri parted company with the club after their demotion.

Comments

Simon Wingate (Exeter City fan) says...

A few years ago I think Lancaster City started on minus-10 points in one of the Northern non-league divisions. They proceeded to earn just 11 points, and ended the season with just 1 point.

Posted 23:43 29th May 2008

Chris Barsby (Swindon Town fan) says...

Can¿t say I'm surprised were mentioned (Swindon). In terms of disasters, both on and off the field we've had many. Record for most goals conceded in the Premiership (100 exactly) entered administration then taken over by Sir Seton Wills and Willie Carson, then entered administration again. First ex-Premiership team to be relegated into League Two, then just hours away from entering liquidation before Andrew Fittons consortium took over the helm, which so far looks brilliant for us as a financially ruined club. Then Paul Sturrock left for Plymouth, Malpas came along with us just six points behind the play-off chasing pack, the exact same team, apart from McNamee and Timlin, and we were relying on Gillingham to slip up before we managed to secure our League one status.

Posted 22:08 10th May 2008

Michael Crompton (Manchester City fan) says...

fame for my beloved leigh centurions

Posted 17:53 30th April 2008

Sam G (Manchester United fan) says...

None could be worse than PSIS, my hometown team in Semarang, Indonesia. Won the Indonesian Premier League in 1999, got relegated in 2000 straightaway as bigger teams bought all our key players at the start of 99/00 season!

Posted 10:43 29th April 2008

Darryl Harland (Manchester City fan) says...

Eh.. Gretna?

Posted 12:19 25th April 2008

Vukani Mde (Arsenal fan) says...

Derby's record will stand for the longest time no doubt. Just one victory all season, 28 games without a win, 11 points, and no obvious prospect to add to those. Appalling ...

Posted 12:53 24th April 2008

Davie Kerr (Dundee fan) says...

If you're looking for football's disaster seasons, I'd suggest that a check of East Stirling's recent record might pay dividends!

Posted 18:47 22nd April 2008

Sam Watson (Leeds United fan) says...

Surprised Leeds don't get a mention. In terms of footballing disasters, we've had them all.

Posted 00:19 21st April 2008

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