Below, clubs are listed which were never relegated from their national first division after first gaining admittance to it. The appearance of some "big" teams, especially in "small" countries, will not be surprising, but the list is really meant to honour small teams that "won't be moved"; of course, they tend to disappear from the list if one waits long enough: the once embodiment of Unabsteigbarkeit, VfL Bochum, is now securely in the camp of the Fahrstuhlmannschaften and even Coventry City suffered relegation, leaving us with DOS kan niets - zelfs niet degraderen - but they're now known as FC Utrecht. Because of this, for many countries additionally clubs are listed that remained at the top level for several decades, so that Bochum and Coventry feature below after all.
Ever present founder members (of a nationwide first level) are indicated by having the year in which the first league season started in bold.
Since 1930; includes seasons played in groups. 2012: Kukësi Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1930: 78 SK Tirana (17 Nëntori) (1930-2017) 61 Dinamo Tiranë (1950-2012) 59 Vllaznia Shkodër (1958-2018) 59* Teuta Durrës (1962-2022 (running)) 53 Flamurtari Vlorë (1950-2004) 52 Partizani Tiranë (1947-2000) 40 Elbasani (1959-2000) 36 Skënderbeu Korçë (1930-1975) 22 Besa Kavajë (1954-1977) 21 Teuta Durrës (1930-1958)
Since 1964; includes seasons played in groups. 1969: JS Kabylie 2012: JS Saoura 2019: NC Magra 2021: HB Chelgoum Laid Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1964: 53* JS Kabylie (1969-2022 (running)) 44 MC Oran (1964-2008) 33* CR Belouizdad (1989-2022 (running)) 27* USM Alger (1995-2022 (running)) 25* ES Sétif (1997-2022 (running)) 24 CR Belouizdad (1964-1988) 24 ES Sétif (1964-1988) 24 USM El Harrach (1975-1999) 22 NA Hussein Dey (1964-1986) 20 RC Kouba (1965-1985)
Since 1895; no proper promotion or relegation until 1903.
1913: Boca Juniors
2014: Defensa y Justicia
2016: Patronato (Paraná)
2019: Central Córdoba (Santiago del Estero)
NB: only counting the professional league (since 1931), Boca Juniors are unrelegated
founder members.
Since 1911.
1911: Austria Wien (Amateure)
1911: SK Rapid Wien
2012: Wolfsberger AC/SK Sankt Andrä
2018: TSV Hartberg
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1911:
110* Austria Wien (Amateure) (1911-2022 (running))
110* SK Rapid Wien (1911-2022 (running))
56* SK Sturm Graz (1966-2022 (running))
48 First Vienna (1919-1968)
46 SC Wacker (Wien) (1914-1961)
40 Wiener Sport-Club (1911-1952)
37 SC Admira (Wien)/FC Admira/Wacker (1961-1998)
33* SV Austria/RB Salzburg (1989-2022 (running))
24 SC Admira (Wien) (1919-1943)
23 Grazer AK (1951-1974)
21 Wiener Sport-Club (1953-1974)
21 FC Wacker/FC Tirol Innsbruck (1981-2002)
20 Linzer ASK (1958-1978)
NB: Admira and Wacker merged into Admira/Wacker in 1971; the merger club inherited
the first level place from Admira.
Since 1895; organised promotion and relegation since 1905. 2005: SV Zulte-Waregem Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 30 or more seasons in the top flight since 1895: 98* Standard CL (1921-2022 (running)) 84* Anderlecht (1935-2022 (running)) 63* Club Brugge (1959-2022 (running)) 66 Beerschot (1907-1981) 59 Antwerp (1901-1968) 50 FC Liégeois (1945-1995) 40 Union Saint-Gilloise (1901-1949) 33 Cercle Brugge (1898-1936) 33 Lierse SK (1953-1986) 33* AA Gent (1989-2022 (running)) 31 Daring CB (1903-1939)
Since 1995; the addition of the Croatian clubs in 2000 and those of the
Serbian clubs in 2002 is considered a promotion for the clubs in question.
1995: Sarajevo
1995: Zeljeznicar Sarajevo
2000: Siroki Brijeg
2000: Zrinjski Mostar
2018: Tuzla City (promoted as Sloga Simin Han)
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1995:
27* Sarajevo (1995-2022 (running))
27* Zeljeznicar Sarajevo (1995-2022 (running))
25 Celik Zenica (1995-2020)
22* Siroki Brijeg (2000-2022 (running))
22* Zrinjski Mostar (2000-2022 (running))
17 Sloboda Tuzla (1995-2012)
12 Leotar Trebinje (2002-2014)
12 Slavija Istocno Sarajevo (2004-2016)
10 Velez Mostar (2006-2016)
NB: also considering Yugoslavia, the following clubs had an uninterrupted series
of 25 or more seasons in the top flight since 1946:
61* Sarajevo (1958-2022 (running))
45 Velez Mostar (1955-2003)
40 Sloboda Tuzla (1969-2012)
41* Zeljeznicar Sarajevo (1978-2022 (running))
25 Celik Zenica (1995-2020)
Since 1987; league started 1971 but until 1980 there was no proper promotion, and until 1987 no proper relegation, and the format changed frequently. 1987: Flamengo 1987: Santos 1987: Săo Paulo 2021: Cuiabá
Since 1937. 1937: Levski Sofia (Levski-Spartak, Vitosha) 2011: Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad 2019: Arda Kardzhali 2019: Tsarsko selo 2015 Sofia 2020: CSKA 1948 Sofia (formerly Chavdar Etropole)
Since 1933. 1933: Colo Colo
Since 1948; no proper promotion or relegation until 1991. 1948: Independiente Santa Fe 1948: Millonarios 1948: Atlético Nacional (Municipal) 2007: CD La Equidad (Bogotá) 2011: Rionegro Águilas Doradas [formerly CD Itagüí-Ditaires] 2012: Patriotas FC (Tunja) 2013: Alianza Petrolera (Barrancabermeja) 2015: Jaguares de Córdoba
Since 1992.
1992: Dinamo Zagreb
1992: Hajduk Split
1992: Osijek
1992: Rijeka
1997: Slaven Belupo Koprivnica
2009: Lokomotiva Zagreb
2018: Gorica
NB: Osijek, Rijeka and Lokomotiva Zagreb all suffered relegation from the highest
level in Yugoslavia, while Slaven Belupo and Gorica never played there.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1992:
31* Dinamo Zagreb (1992-2022 (running))
31* Hajduk Split (1992-2022 (running))
31* Osijek (1992-2022 (running))
31* Rijeka (1992-2022 (running))
25* Slaven Belupo Koprivnica (1997-2022 (running))
22 Zagreb (1992-2013)
21 Varteks Varazdin (1992-2012)
13* Istra Pula (2009-2022 (running))
13* Lokomotiva Zagreb (2009-2022 (running))
12 Sibenik (1992-2003)
NB: also considering Yugoslavia, the following clubs had an uninterrupted series
of 25 or more seasons in the top flight since 1946:
76* Dinamo Zagreb (1946-2022 (running))
76* Hajduk Split (1946-2022 (running))
48* Rijeka (1974-2022 (running))
41* Osijek (1981-2022 (running))
Since 1934.
1934: APOEL
1953: Omonoia
1957: Apollon
2021: PAEEK
NB: Çetinkaya (originally known as LTSK) were a founding member in 1934 and were never
relegated before leaving the league in 1955, when they joined the inaugural league
of Northern Cyprus (from which they were first relegated in 2020).
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1934:
84* APOEL (1934-2022 (running)) [played 1 season in Greek first division]
73* Anorthosis (1948-2022 (running))
68* Omonia (1953-2022 (running)) [played 1 season in Greek first division]
64* Apollon (1957-2022 (running))
58 AEL (1934-1996) [played 1 season in Greek first division]
45 Pezoporikos (1948-1994) [merged 1994 with EPA into AEK]
45 ENP (1969-2014)
41 Olympiakos (1938-1983) [played 3 seasons in Greek first division]
40 EPA (1948-1989) [played 1 season in Greek first division]
26 Ethnikos (Achna) (1992-2018)
25* AEL (1997-2022 (running))
23 Nea Salamina (1955-1979)
21 Alki (Larnaka) (1960-1981)
21 Nea Salamina (1980-2001)
NB: the above series include the abandoned seasons of 1963/64 and 2019/20 (where
applicable) as well as the seasons some clubs spent in the Greek league as
champions of Cyprus.
AEK, the result of the merger of first division clubs Pezoporikos and EPA,
were first relegated in 2009; combined with the record of Pezoporikos, the
club thus establisted a uninterrupted series of 60 top flight seasons.
Since 1993.
1993: Slavia Praha
1993: Slovan Liberec
1993: Sparta Praha
1994: Jablonec
1996: Teplice
2004: Mladá Boleslav
2020: Pardubice
NB: Jablonec, Pardubice, Slavia Praha, Sparta Praha and Teplice all suffered
relegation from the highest level in Czechoslovakia, while Slovan Liberec
and Mladá Boleslav never played there (however, both clubs which merged
into Slovan Liberec, Slavoj and Jiskra, played there for one season).
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1993:
29* Slavia Praha (1993-2022 (running))
29* Slovan Liberec (1993-2022 (running))
29* Sparta Praha (1993-2022 (running))
28* Jablonec (1994-2022 (running))
26* Teplice (1994-2022 (running))
23 Baník Ostrava (1993-2016)
21 Sigma Olomouc (1993-2014)
18 Zrbojovka Brno (Boby) (1993-2011)
18* Mladá Boleslav (2004-2022 (running))
17* Viktoria Plzen (2005-2022 (running))
13* Slovácko (2009-2022 (running))
11 Viktoria Zizkov (1993-2004)
10 Marila Pribram (Dukla) (1997-2007)
NB: also considering Czechoslovakia, the following clubs had an uninterrupted series
of 30 or more seasons in the top flight since 1925:
57* Slavia Praha (1965-2022 (running))
50 Sparta Praha (1925-1975)
49 Banik Ostrava (1967-2016)
46 Dukla Praha (1948-1994)
46* Sparta Praha (1976-2022 (running))
Since 1925 and until 1993. The nazi-enforced separation of Bohemia-Moravia
and Slovakia (between 1938 and 1945) is here considered as a separation of
the Czechoslovak league into two groups, and clubs from both are considered
to have played at the first level, as the first reunified league in 1945/46
included 20 clubs (split over two groups), among which were the top-11 of the
league of Bohemia-Moravia in 1943/44 and the top-6 of the Slovak league.
1948: Dukla Praha (ATK, UDA)
1985: DAC Dunajská Streda
NB: the last Czechoslovak league season was held in 1992/93;
Dukla Praha were relegated in the Czech Republic in 1994;
DAC Dunajská Streda were relegated in Slovakia in 1998.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight
since 1925 and until 1993:
50 Sparta Praha (1925-1975)
49 Slovan Bratislava (SK) (1935-1985)
45 Dukla Praha (1948-1993)
28 Slavia Praha (1965-1993)
27 Slavia Praha (1925-1951)
26 Spartak Trnava (1964-1990)
26 Banik Ostrava (1967-1993)
21 SK Kladno (1925-1946)
20 Bohemians Praha (1973-1993) [relegated in the Czech Republic in 1995]
Since 1929.
1982: Brřndby IF
2002: FC Nordsjćlland (Farum BK)
NB: FC Křbenhavn haven't been relegated since they took over B 1903's place in 1992;
however both B 1903 and the other feeder club, KB, were relegated several
times (B 1903 three times and KB five times).
Likewise, FC Midtjylland haven't been relegated since earning promotion in 2000,
but as they took over the place of Ikast fS (who were relegated from the first
level on three occasions) after they formed a superstructure with Herning Fremad
(relegated from the first level once themselves), they are also not listed.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1929:
41* Brřndby IF (1982-2022 (running))
36 Vejle B (1956-1992)
36* AaB (1987-2022 (running))
30 AGF (1977-2006)
30 KB (1952-1982)
30* FC Křbenhavn (1992-2022 (running))
26 AB (1929-1960)
26 BK Frem (1929-1960)
23 B 1903 (1929-1957)
23 Lyngby BK (1980-2002)
23 OB (1976-1998)
23* OB (1999-2022 (running))
22* FC Midtjylland (2000-2022 (running))
20 B 93 (1929-1954)
20 Esbjerg fB (1949-1969)
20* FC Nordsjælland (2002-2022 (running))
Since 1957. 1957: Barcelona 2015: Guayaquil City (River Ecuador) 2020: Orense 2022: Cumbayá 2022: Gualaceo
Since 1948. 1948: Al-Ahly 1948: Zamalek (Farouk) 2002: ENPPI 2004: Al-Jaish 2010: Misr al-Maqasah 2010: Semouha 2010: Wadi Degla 2020: Ceramica Cleopatra 2020: National Bank
Since 1888. None. Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 30 or more seasons in the top flight since 1888: 96* Arsenal (1919-2022 (running)) 68* Everton (1954-2022 (running)) 60* Liverpool (1962-2022 (running)) 57 Sunderland (1890-1958) 47* Manchester United (1975-2022 (running)) 44 Aston Villa (1888-1936) 44 Blackburn Rovers (1888-1936) 44* Tottenham Hotspur (1978-2022 (running)) 37 Sheffield United (1893-1934) 34 Coventry City (1967-2001) 33* Chelsea (1989-2022 (running)) 32 Newcastle United (1898-1934)
Since 1947; no proper promotion or relegation until 1975. 1947: HB 1980: Víkingur (GÍ) Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1947: 76* HB (1947-2022 (running)) 63 KÍ (1947-2009) [includes 1964 season in which they withdrew] 43* Víkingur (GÍ) (1980-2022 (running)) 40 TB (1949-1988) 38 B36 (1947-1984) 35* B36 (1988-2022 (running)) 26* NSÍ (1997-2022 (running)) 24 B68 (1981-2004) NB: for a long time, there was no institutionalised relegation.
Since 1930. 2005: IFK Mariehamn Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1930: 59* HJK (Helsinki) (1964-2022 (running)) 44 KuPS (Kuopio) (1949-1992) 35 TPS (Turku) (1966-2000) 24* Inter (Turku) (1999-2022 (running)) 23 Haka (Valkeakoski) (1950-1972) 23 Haka (Valkeakoski) (1974-1996) 23 MyPa (Anjalankoski) (1992-2014) 20 Reipas (Lahti) (1961-1980)
Since 1932.
1974: FC Paris Saint-Germain
2021: Clermont Foot
NB: Paris Saint-Germain played in the first division 1971/72, but were taken over by
Paris FC before the end of the season. The club had to restart with their amateur
team, then in the 3rd division, kept the name, the colours and the president (but
changed grounds), earned promotion to the second division at the end of 1972/73,
and to the first at the end of 1973/74.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1932:
48* FC Paris Saint-Germain (1974-2022 (running))
44 FC Nantes (1963-2007)
35 FC Metz (1967-2002)
34 AS Monaco (1977-2011)
33* Olympique Lyonnais (1989-2022 (running))
32 AJ Auxerroise (1980-2012)
30* FC Girondins de Bordeaux (1992-2022 (running)) [may lose license for 2021/22]
29 Olympique Lyonnais (1954-1983)
29 FC Girondins de Bordeaux (1962-1991)
28* Stade Rennais (1994-2022 (running))
26* Olympique Marseille (1996-2022 (running))
23 FC Sochaux-Montbéliard (1964-1987)
22* Lille OSC (2000-2022 (running))
21 Olympique Marseille (1932-1959)
21 AS Saint-Etienne (1963-1984)
20* OGC Nice (2002-2022 (running))
Since 1949 and until 1991. 1984: Stahl Brandenburg NB: Stahl Brandenburg has suffered relegation since the unification of Germany 1991.
Since 1963.
1965: Bayern München
1979: Bayer Leverkusen
1997: VfL Wolfsburg
2008: TSG Hoffenheim
2011: FC Augsburg
2016: RB Leipzig
2019: Union Berlin
NB: Union Berlin suffered relegation from the highest level in East Germany.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the Bundesliga since 1963:
57* Bayern München (1965-2022 (running))
55 Hamburger SV (1963-2018)
46* Borussia Dortmund (1976-2022 (running))
43* Bayer Leverkusen (1979-2022 (running))
40 Werder Bremen (1981-2021)
39 VfB Stuttgart (1977-2016)
35 1.FC Köln (1963-1998)
34 Borussia Mönchengladbach (1965-1999)
33 Eintracht Frankfurt (1963-1996)
33 1.FC Kaiserslautern (1963-1996)
30 Schalke 04 (1991-2021)
25* VfL Wolfsburg (1997-2022)
22 VfL Bochum (1971-1993)
NB: until their relegation in 2018, Hamburger SV, then the last ever present founding
member, had always played at the highest possible level since their foundation by
the merger of three older clubs in 1919.
Since 1958; no promotion or relegation until 1961.
1958: Asante Kotoko
1958: Hearts of Oak
1986: Goldfields (now AshantiGold)
2009: Aduana Stars
2015: West Africa Football Academy
2017: Elmina Sharks
2018: Karela
2018: Techiman Eleven Wonders
2021: Accra Lions
2021: Bibiani Gold Stars
NB: a first national league was installed in 1956 (including all 1958 founding members),
but all but two teams (Hearts of Oak and Eleven Wise) withdrew, and no championship
was played in 1957. In 1970 eight provincial qualifying groups were formed, with
15 teams qualifying for the final "Upper League". All unrelegated founder members
(and none of the other unrelegated teams) qualified for it.
Since 1959.
1959: Olympiakos
1959: Panathinaïkos
1959: PAOK (Thessaloniki)
2007: Asteras Tripolis
2017: Lamia
2019: Volos NFC
NB: APOEL (Lefkosia) made a guest appearance in the season 1973/74 as reigning champions
of Cyprus and did not finish on a relegation place (the only Cypriot representatives
ever to do so).
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1959:
63* Olympiakos (1959-2022 (running))
63* Panathinaïkos (1959-2022 (running))
63* PAOK (Thessaloniki) (1959-2022 (running))
54 AEK (1959-2013)
38 Aris (Thessaloniki) (1959-1997)
33 OFI (Iraklion) (1976-2009)
33 Panionios (1959-1992)
31 Ethnikos (Pireas) (1959-1990)
31 Xanthi (1989-2020)
30 Iraklis (Thessaloniki) (1981-2011)
23 Panionios (1997-2020)
Since 1965. 1965: Marathón 1965: Motagua 1965: Olimpia 1965: Real Espańa 1965: Vida 2017: UPNFM
Since 1901.
2006: Paksi SE
2018: Kisvárda FC
NB: Ferencváros had their first level license revoked in July 2006, after
having competed in the top flight since the first ever season in 1901.
Since 1912; no proper promotion or relegation until 1955. None. Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1912: 77 Valur (1923-1999) 63 KR (1915-1977) 54 Fram (1912-1965) 44* KR (1979-2022 (running)) 22 ÍA (1969-1990) 22* FH (2001-2022 (running))
Since 1951; no proper promotion or relegation until 1978; note that none of the clubs
originating from the Galatama league introduced in 1979 escaped relegation since it
was unified with the Perserikatan amateur championship in 1994.
1951: Persidja/Persija (Jakarta)
1951: PSM (Makassar)
2004: Persela (Lamongan)
2011: Persiram/PS.TNI/PS.TIRA/TIRA-Persikabo
2017: Bhayangkara FC
2017: Borneo FC (Samarinda)
NB: Persiram were renamed and relocated three times since promotion;
Bhayangkara inherited their top level place from one of the various clubs claiming
to represent Persebaya.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1951
(not including the four abandoned seasons 1997/98, 2015, 2016 and 2020; between 1951
and 1978 only appearances in the final national stage are considered):
46* Persidja/Persija (Jakarta) (1951-2021 (running))
42* PSM (Makassar) (1951-2021 (running))
31 Persibaya/Persebaya (Surabaya) (1951-2002)
30 PSMS (Medan) (1952-2002)
30* Persib (Bandung) (1983-2021 (running))
22* Persipura (Jayapura) (1994-2021 (running))
NB: PSM withdrew from the qualifying stage for financial reasons in 1952 and played
in the breakaway LPI 2010/11-2013, but they were never relegated; they can be
considered the continuation of the M.V.B. which entered the final two editions
(1949 and 1950) of the championship organised by V.U.V.S.I./I.S.N.I.S. in the
colonial era, giving them an ongoing series of 44 seasons;
Persibaya can be considered the continuation of the S.V.B. which entered all 32
editions of the championships in the colonial era held between 1914 and 1950,
thus giving them an uninterrupted sequence of 63 entries (1914-2002).
Since 1921; no proper promotion or relegation until 1985.
1921: Bohemians
1951: Saint Patrick's Athletic
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 30 or more seasons in the top flight since 1921:
102* Bohemians (1921-2022 (running))
84 Shamrock Rovers (1922-2005)
73 Dundalk (1926-1999)
72* Saint Patrick's Athletic (1951-2022 (running))
54 Limerick (United/City) (1937-1991)
50 Shelbourne (1936-1985)
44 Drumcondra (1928-1972) [into Home Farm]
44 Waterford (United) (1945-1989)
NB: for a long time, there was no institutionalised relegation.
Bohemians played in the Irish League (now restricted to Northern Ireland)
before the associations split in 1920, and were relegated in 1911.
Derry City played in the league of Northern Ireland every season from 1929
until 1972 before being forced out in the 1972/73 season due to safety
issues; they entered the league of the Republic of Ireland in 1985 (at
the second level). They were never relegated in either league until
being demoted for financial reasons at the end of the 2009 season,
together with Cork City who had not been relegated since first gaining
access to the top level in 1984.
Drumcondra amalgamated into Home Farm 1972; the resulting club (called
Home Farm Drumcondra in 1972/73 before reverting to Home Farm 1973)
played 15 more seasons at the top level until relegation in 1987, so
combined the two clubs played 59 seasons without interruption in the
top flight.
Since 1949. 1949: Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2021: Hapoel Jerusalem (second incarnation)
Since 1929.
1929: Internazionale (Ambrosiana)
2013: Sassuolo
2020: Spezia
NB: Internazionale played all Italian championships since 1908.
Until their forced relegation in 2006, Juventus played all Italian
championships since 1900 (although they were nominally relegated in
1911 and 1913 but remained at the first level in Piemonte anyway;
in addition, they didn't finish the championship in 1908).
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1929:
91* Internazionale (Ambrosiana) (1929-2022 (running))
75 Juventus (1929-2006)
70* Roma (1952-2022 (running))
52 Fiorentina (1939-1993)
51 Bologna (1929-1982)
49 Milan (1929-1980)
39* Milan (1983-2022 (running))
34* Lazio (1988-2022 (running))
33 Napoli (1965-1998)
30 Lazio (1929-1961)
29 Torino (1960-1989)
27* Udinese (1995-2022 (running))
26 Triestina (1929-1957)
23 Sampdoria (1941-1966) [includes Dominante/Sampierdarenese]
20 Vicenza (1955-1975)
Since 1960. 1960: ASEC (Abidjan) 2009: AFAD (Djékanou) 2016: FC San-Pédro 2018: Racing Club d'Abidjan 2019: SOL FC (Abobo) 2020: ES Bafing
Since 1965. 2011: Sagan Tosu
Since 1996. The first league since separation from Yugoslavia was held in
1991/92, but the top level was then split into four regional groups until
1995/96. In 1997/98 and 1998/99 no league was held due to war.
1996: Prishtina
2000: Drenica Skenderaj
2021: Malisheva
NB: Prishtina played in all Kosovar championships since 1991 (also reaching the
championship playoff in the four seasons between 1992/93 and 1995/96). They
were relegated from Yugoslav top level in 1988.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1996:
24* Prishtina (1996-2022 (running))
22* Drenica Skenderaj (2000-2022 (running))
20 Besa Pejë (1996-2018)
13 Flamurtari Prishtinë (1996-2011)
11 Trepça 89 (Minatori 89) Mitrovicë (1996-2009)
11 Vëllaznimi Gjakovë (2002-2013)
11 Trepça 89 Mitrovicë (2010-2021)
11* Drita Gjilan (2011-2022 (running))
10* Feronikeli Drenas (2012-2022 (running))
Since 1910. 2015: Una Strassen 2016: Union Titus Pétange [merger CS Pétange (11 relegations) and FC Titus Lamadelaine] 2019: Blue Boys Mühlenbach [merged into RM Hamm Benfica 2020]
Since 1946; league started 1909 but until 1946 there was no proper promotion
or relegation.
1946: Hibernians
1946: Valletta
2019: Gudja United
2019: Santa Lucia
2019: Sirens
NB: a national league was installed in Malta in 1909, but a proper relegation mechanism
only in 1945. No clubs have been ever present since 1909. Hibernians were in
the league without interruption since 1937, Valletta since 1945.
Since 1943. 1943: América 1943: Guadalajara 1953: Toluca 1962: Pumas (UNAM) 1964: Cruz Azul 1968: Santos (Laguna, Deportivo Neza, Santos) 2011: Tijuana 2019: Atlético de San Luis 2019: FC Juárez (bought license Lobos BUAP, promoted 2017)
Since 2006.
2006: Buducnost Podgorica
2006: OFK Petrovac
2006: Rudar Pljevlja
2006: Sutjeska Niksic
2006: Zeta Golubovci
2015: Iskra Danilovgrad
2019: FK Podgorica (promoted as Mladost Ljeskopolje)
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 2006:
16* Buducnost Podgorica (2006-2022 (running))
16* OFK Petrovac (2006-2022 (running))
16* Rudar Pljevlja (2006-2022 (running))
16* Sutjeska Niksic (2006-2022 (running))
16* Zeta Golubovci (2006-2022 (running))
14 Grbalj Radanovici (2006-2020)
11 OFK Titograd (Mladost Podgorica) (2010-2021)
10 Lovcen Cetinje (2007-2017)
NB: also considering Yugoslavia and Serbia-Montenegro, the following clubs had an
uninterrupted series of 15 or more seasons in the top flight since 1946:
26 Buducnost Podgorica (1975-2001)
22* Zeta Golubovci (2000-2022 (running))
18* Buducnost Podgorica (2004-2022 (running))
16* OFK Petrovac (2006-2022 (running))
16* Rudar Pljevlja (2006-2022 (running))
16* Sutjeska Niksic (2006-2022 (running))
Since 1956.
1956: Raja Casablanca
1956: WAC Casablanca
2004: OC Safi
2017: Rapide Oued Zem
2018: CAY Berrechid
2021: JS Soualem
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1956:
66* Raja Casablanca (1956-2022 (running))
66* WAC Casablanca (1956-2022 (running))
56* FAR Rabat (1966-2022 (running))
39 MAS Fčs (1956-1995)
33 FUS Rabat (1962-1995)
32 MC Oujda (1956-1988)
26* HUS Agadir (1996-2022 (running))
25 OC Khouribga (1995-2020)
23 SCC Mohammédia (1961-1984)
21 DH Jadidi (1966-1987)
20 KAC Marrakech (1985-2005)
NB: FAR Rabat were excluded from the league after the 1964/65 season after players
had beaten up a referee; they were readmitted in 1966.
Since 1956.
1956: Ajax
1956: Feyenoord (Feijenoord)
1956: PSV
1956: FC Utrecht (DOS)
NB: if we consider the regional first classes since 1888, the only team never to have
been relegated since gaining promotion to the first level is Feyenoord (promoted, as
Feijenoord, in 1921).
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the eredivisie since 1956:
66* Ajax (1956-2022 (running))
66* Feyenoord (Feijenoord) (1956-2022 (running))
66* PSV (1956-2022 (running))
66* FC Utrecht (DOS) (1956-2022 (running))
46 Sparta (1956-2002)
41 Roda JC (Rapid JC) (1973-2014)
34 FC Twente (1984-2018)
33* Vitesse (1989-2022 (running))
29* Heerenveen (1993-2022 (running))
25 ADO (ADO Den Haag, FC Den Haag) (1957-1982)
24 Go Ahead Eagles (1963-1987)
24 Willem II (1987-2011)
24* AZ (1998-2022 (running))
22* FC Groningen (2000-2022 (running))
20 MVV (1956-1976)
20 NEC (1994-2014)
NB: the above series include the abandoned season of 2019/20 (where applicable).
When MVV were relegated in 1976, they disappeared from the top level for the first time
since the introduction of the southern first class in 1913 (61 seasons, not including
inofficial war-time leagues).
Since 1992.
1998: Rabotnicki
2005: Renova
2015: Shkupi
2017: Akademija Pandev
2019: Struga-Trim-Lum
NB: officially Shkupi are not considered the successors of Sloga Jugomagnat (who were
relegated in 2005), although they were formed as a merger of Sloga with Albarsa.
NB: Vardar (7 times) and Rabotnicki (twice) both suffered relegation from the highest
level in Yugoslavia, while Renova, Shkupi, Akademija and Struga never played there.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1992:
29 Vardar Skopje (1992-2021)
24* Rabotnicki Skopje (1998-2022 (running))
21 Sileks Kratovo (1992-2013)
18 Pobeda Prilep (1992-2010)
17* Renova Cepciste (2005-2022 (running))
14 Cementarnica (FCU) Skopje (1992-2006)
13 Sloga Jugomagnat Skopje (1992-2005)
12* Skhendia Tetovo (2010-2022 (running))
11 Pelister Bitola (1992-2003)
NB: Vardar Skopje were relegated in 2011 but remained at the first level after a
"merger" with promoted side Miravci; they were relegated again in 2021 but
may yet remain at the top level with a similar "construction".
NB: also considering Yugoslavia, only one club had an uninterrupted series
of 25 or more seasons in the top flight since 1946:
30 Vardar Skopje (1991-2021)
Since 1955. 2007: Cihangir 2020: Mesarya Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1955: 60 Çetinkaya (1955-2020) 45* Küçük Kaymakli (1976-2022 (running)) 33 Türk Ocagi (1958-1996) 31 Magusa Türk Gücü (1955-1991) 25 Dogan Türk Birligi (1955-1985) 21 Yenicami (1956-1982) 21 Gönyeli (1991-2012) 20 Gönyeli (1969-1990)
Since 1890; for a long time, there was no institutionalised relegation.
1890: Cliftonville
1890: Glentoran
1890: Linfield
2003: Dungannon Swifts
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 30 or more seasons in the top flight since 1890:
121* Cliftonville (1890-2022 (running))
121* Glentoran (1890-2022 (running))
121* Linfield (1890-2022 (running))
94 (Lisburn) Distillery (1890-1995)
82 Glenavon (1911-2004)
77 Portadown (1924-2008)
68 Ards (1923-1998)
62 Bangor (1927-1996)
61 Coleraine (1927-1995)
60 Ballymena (United) (1928-1995)
56 Crusaders (1949-2005)
36 Derry City (1929-1972)
NB: Belfast Celtic were twice forced out of the league for sectarian reasons
(in 1920 as champions and in 1949 as runners-up) but never finished on
a relegation place in the 38 seasons they played between 1896 and 1949.
Derry City played in the league of Northern Ireland every season from 1929
until 1972 before being forced out in the 1972/73 reasons due to safety
issues; they were never relegated from the Northern Irish top level; they
entered the league of the Republic of Ireland in 1985 (at the 2nd level).
Since 1962. 2017: Kristiansunds BK 2022: FK Jerv Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 15 or more seasons in the top flight since 1961: 45 Lillestrřm SK (1975-2019) 44* Rosenborg BK (1979-2022 (running)) 29 Viking FK (1989-2017) 28 SK Brann (1987-2014) 21* Vĺlerenga IF (2002-2022 (running)) 17 Kongsvinger IL (1983-1999) 16 Tromsř IL (1986-2001) 16* Strřmsgodset IF (2007-2022 (running)) 15 IK Start (1973-1987) 15* Molde FK (2008-2022 (running))
Since 1926. 1928: Universitario (Lima) 2009: Ayacucho FC [formerly Inti Gas Deportes] 2009: Sport Huancayo 2012: Cusco FC [formerly Real Garcilaso] 2016: Académia Cantolao (Callao)
Since 1927.
1995: Amica Wronki (defunct)
NB: Pogon Lwów were unrelegated until 1939, but after the war Lwów became part of the
Soviet Union and the club were not re-created; Warszawianka also were unrelegated
until 1939 but after the war played at lower regional levels until its football
section was dissolved in 1971.
Amica Wronki merged into Lech Poznan 2006 (who have not been relegated since).
Since 1938; no proper promotion or relegation until 1948.
1938: SL Benfica
1938: FC Porto
1938: Sporting CP
2015: CD Tondela
NB: a national Portuguese league was already installed in 1934/35, but the championship
was decided through the knock-out cup tournament. In the first seasons, teams
qualified for the national league through regional leagues rather than a
promotion/relegation system.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1938:
84* SL Benfica (1938-2022 (running))
84* FC Porto (1938-2022 (running))
84* Sporting CP (1938-2022 (running))
48 Vitória SC (Guimarães) (1958-2006)
47* SC Braga (1975-2022 (running))
44 CF "Os Belenenses" (1938-1982)
39 Boavista FC (1969-2008)
37* CD Marítimo (1985-2022 (running))
24 Vitória FC (Setúbal) (1962-1986)
23 Académica (Coïmbra) (1949-1972)
22 GD CUF (1954-1976)
Since 1934.
1947: Dinamo Bucuresti
1947: FCSB (Armata, CCA, Steaua)
2012: Viitorul Constanta
2013: FC Botosani
2015: FC Voluntari
2017: Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe
2019: Academia Clinceni
2021: FC U Craiova 1948
NB: both FC U Craiova 1948, established in 2017, and U Craiova 1948 CS,
"refounded" in 2013, claim the heritage of Universitatea Craiova; a
similar dispute concerns FCSB and CSA Steaua Bucuresti.
Since 1992.
1992: Spartak Moskva
1992: Lokomotiv Moskva
1992: CSKA Moskva
2003: Rubin Kazan
2011: FK Krasnodar
2014: FK Ufa
2019: FK Sochi
NB: the three unrelegated founder members were all relegated at least once in the former
Soviet Union.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1992:
30* CSKA Moskva (1992-2022 (running))
30* Lokomotiv Moskva (1992-2022 (running))
30* Spartak Moskva (1992-2022 (running))
26* Zenit Sankt-Peterburg (1996-2022 (running))
24 Dinamo Moskva (1992-2016)
22 Krylya Sovetov Samara (1992-2014)
19* Rubin Kazan (2003-2022 (running))
15 Torpedo Moskva (1992-2006)
14 Alania Vladikavkaz (Spartak) (1992-2005)
14 Amkar Perm (2004-2018)
14* Ahmat (Terek) Grozny (2008-2022 (running))
13 Rotor Volgograd (1992-2004)
13 FK Rostov (Rostselmash) (1995-2007)
13* FK Rostov (2009-2022 (running))
12 Saturn Ramenskoye (1999-2010)
11* FK Krasnodar (2011-2022 (running))
NB: also considering the Soviet Union, the following clubs had an uninterrupted series
of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1936:
77 Dinamo Moskva (1936-2016)
65 Torpedo Moskva (1938-2006)
46 Zenit Leningrad (1940-1989)
44* Spartak Moskva (1978-2022 (running))
38 Spartak Moskva (1936-1976)
31 CSKA Moskva (1954-1984)
32* CSKA Moskva (1990-2022 (running))
31* Lokomotiv Moskva (1991-2022 (running))
26* Zenit Sankt-Peterburg (1996-2022 (running))
22 Krylya Sovetov Samara (1992-2014)
Since 1890.
1890: Celtic
1905: Aberdeen
NB: Aberdeen did not play in the Scottish league during WW I (1917-1919),
but did not lose membership.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 30 or more seasons in the top flight since 1890:
125* Celtic (1890-2022 (running))
115 Rangers (1890-2012)
110* Aberdeen (1905-2022 (running))
80 Heart of Midlothian (1890-1977)
61 Partick Thistle (1902-1970)
45 Dundee (1893-1938)
45 Saint Mirren (1890-1935)
43 Motherwell (1903-1953)
41 Kilmarnock (1899-1947)
40 Hibernian (1933-1980)
37* Motherwell (1985-2022 (running))
35 Dundee United (1960-1995)
35 Third Lanark (1890-1925)
34 Hamilton Academicals (1906-1947)
33 Airdrieonians (1903-1936)
31 Heart of Midlothian (1983-2014)
30 Falkirk (1905-1935)
Since 1991, after the Croatian and Slovenian clubs had left the Yugoslav league;
note that the clubs from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia still were part of the
league structure in 1991/92 while Montenegro only started a separate league in 2006.
1991: Crvena zvezda Beograd
1991: Partizan Beograd
1991: Vojvodina Novi Sad
2015: Radnik Surdulica
2018: Proleter Novi Sad
2019: TSC Backa Topola
2021: Kolubara Lazarevac
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1991:
31* Crvena zvezda Beograd (1991-2022 (running))
31* Partizan Beograd (1991-2022 (running))
31* Vojvodina Novi Sad (1991-2022 (running))
21 Hajduk Kula (1992-2013) [dissolved in 2013, never relegated]
18 OFK Beograd (1998-2016)
16 Zemun (1991-2007)
13 Rad Beograd (2008-2021)
13* Spartak Subotica (2009-2022 (running))
12 Rad Beograd (1991-2003)
10 Buducnost Podgorica (1991-2001) [now Montenegro]
10* Radnicki Nis (2012-2022 (running))
NB: does not consider moves between divisions 1/A and 1/B during the seasons from
1993/94 to 1995/96, as all 20 clubs starting those seasons in either of them
theoretically could win the title and thus should be considered a top level
club (all of Hajduk Kula, Zemun, Rad Beograd and Buducnost Podgorica
suffered at least one such relegation in the relevant series listed above,
while Crvena zvezda, Partizan and Vojvodina never left 1/A).
NB: also considering Yugoslavia, the following clubs had an uninterrupted series
of 25 or more seasons in the top flight since 1946:
76* Crvena zvezda Beograd (1946-2022 (running))
76* Partizan Beograd (1946-2022 (running))
36 Vojvodina Novi Sad (1951-1986)
35* Vojvodina Novi Sad (1987-2022 (running))
26 Buducnost Podgorica (1975-2001) [now Montenegro]
Since 1993. 1997: Ruzomberok 2009: Senica [acquired place Inter Bratislava] 2015: Zemplín Michalovce 2018: Sered 2019: Pohronie Ziar nad Hronom 2021: Tatran Liptovský Mikulás NB: none of the above clubs ever played at the highest level in Czechoslovakia. Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1993: 26* Zilina (1996-2022 (running)) 25* Ruzomberok (1997-2022 (running)) 20* Spartak Trnava (2002-2022 (running)) 16* Slovan Bratislava (2006-2022 (running)) 14 Inter Bratislava (1993-2007) 14 Petrzalka (Artmedia) (1996-2010) 13* Senica (2009-2022 (running)) [acquired place Inter Bratislava] 12 Dukla Banská Bystrica (2003-2015) 12* Zlaté Moravce (2010-2022 (running)) 11 Slovan Bratislava (1993-2004) 11 Trencín (1997-2008) 11* Trencín (2011-2022 (running)) 10 Kosice (1993-2003) 10 Dubnica (2001-2011)
Since 1991.
1991: Celje
1991: Maribor
2009: Olimpija Ljubljana (2nd incarnation)
2018: Mura Murska Sobota (3rd incarnation)
2019: Bravo Ljubljana
NB: the first incarnation of Olimpija was dissolved in 2005;
the first incarnation of Mura was dissolved in 2005 and the second in 2013.
NB: Maribor and the first incarnation of Olimpija both suffered relegation from the
highest level in Yugoslavia, while Celje, Mura and Bravo never played there.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1992:
31* Celje (1991-2022 (running))
31* Maribor (1991-2022 (running))
28 Gorica (1991-2019)
19* Domzale (2003-2022 (running))
17 Koper (2000-2017)
16 Primorje Ajdovscina (1993-2009)
14 Mura Murska Sobota (1st incarnation) (1991-2005)
14 Olimpija Ljubljana (1st incarnation) (1991-2005)
13* Olimpija Ljubljana (2nd incarnation) (2009-2022 (running))
12 Rudar Velenje (1991-2003)
12 Rudar Velenje (2008-2020)
Since 1936 and until 1991.
1936: Dinamo Kyiv
1936: Dinamo Moskva
1936: Dinamo Tbilisi
1938: Torpedo Moskva
1988: Pamir Dushanbe
1990: Metalurh Zaporizhzhja
NB: Dinamo Tbilisi entered the Soviet league in its second season, which,
like the first, was played in 1936. After the 1989 season they left
the league to play in the newly formed domestic league of Georgia.
After the 1991 season all successor states of the USSR started their own
leagues; of the six clubs above, only Dinamo Kyiv (in the Ukraine) and
Dinamo Tbilisi (in Georgia) have never been relegated since.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight
since 1936 and until 1991 (the 1976 season, which was split into a spring
and a fall tournament and had two champions but no mid-term promotion or
relegation, is counted as one):
53 Dinamo Kyiv (1936-1991)
53 Dinamo Moskva (1936-1991)
50 Dinamo Tbilisi (1936-1989)
50 Torpedo Moskva (1938-1991)
46 Zenit Leningrad (1940-1989)
38 Spartak Moskva (1936-1976)
31 CSKA Moskva (1954-1984)
26 Ararat Yerevan (1966-1991)
Since 1928. 1928: Athletic de Bilbao 1928: FC Barcelona 1928: Real Madrid Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1928: 91* Athletic (Bilbao) (1928-2022 (running)) 91* FC Barcelona (1928-2022 (running)) 91* Real Madrid (1928-2022 (running)) 63 Atlético (Madrid) (1934-2000) 52 Valencia CF (1931-1986) 40 Real Sociedad (1967-2007) 35* Valencia CF (1987-2022 (running)) 31 Espanyol (1928-1962) 31 Sevilla FC (1934-1968) 26 Espanyol (1994-2020) 24 Real Zaragoza (1978-2002) 21 Sporting (Gijón) (1977-1998) 21* Sevilla FC (2001-2022 (running)) 20 Deportivo (La Coruña) (1991-2011) 20* Atlético (Madrid) (2002-2022 (running))
Since 1924. 2020: Varbergs BoIS 2022: IFK Värnamo Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the Allsvenskan since 1924: 63 Malmö FF (1936-1999) 46* IFK Göteborg (1977-2022 (running)) 42 IFK Norrköping (1940-1982) 31 Helsingborgs IF (1937-1968) 28 IF Elfsborg (1926-1954) 27 AIK (1924-1951) 26* IF Elfsborg (1997-2022 (running)) 24 Helsingborgs IF (1993-2016) 22* Djurgårdens IF (2001-2022 (running)) 22* Malmö FF (2001-2022 (running)) 21 Östers IF (1968-1988) 20 Djurgårdens IF (1962-1981)
Since 1933.
None.
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 25 or more seasons in the top flight since 1933:
72 Servette FC (1933-2005)
69 Lausanne-Sports (1933-2002)
68 Grasshopper Club (1951-2019)
47 BSC Young Boys (1950-1997)
42 FC Basel (1946-1988)
33 Xamax Neuchâtel (1973-2006)
30 FC Zürich (1958-1988)
29 FC Aarau (1981-2010)
29 FC Sion (1970-1999)
28* FC Basel (1994-2022 (running))
27 FC La Chaux-de-Fonds (1947-1974)
26 FC Zürich (1990-2016)
NB: Lausanne-Sports were refused a professional license for the 2002/03 season,
ending their continuous presence in the Nationalliga A since its foundation
in 1933.
Servette FC were relegated in 2005 following bankruptcy, ending their series
of playing all Swiss championships since they were first held in 1900.
Since 1955.
1955: Club Africain
1955: CS Sfaxien (formerly Club Tunisien)
1955: Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Sousse)
1955: Espérance Sportive de Tunis
2013: ES Métlaoui
2015: US Ben Guerdane
2019: AS Solimane
NB: ES Sahel did not participate in 1961/62 due to a one-year long dissolution;
ES Tunis did not participate in 1970/71 due to a one-year long dissolution.
Since 1959. 1959: Besiktas 1959: Fenerbahçe 1959: Galatasaray 1974: Trabzonspor 2016: Alanyaspor 2017: Yeni Malatyaspor 2019: Gaziantep FK 2020: Hatayspor Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1959: 64* Besiktas (1959-2022 (running)) 64* Fenerbahçe (1959-2022 (running)) 64* Galatasaray (1959-2022 (running)) 48* Trabzonspor (1974-2022 (running)) 37 Bursaspor (1967-2004) 31 Ankaragücü (1981-2012) 29 Gençlerbirligi (1989-2018) 27 Gaziantepspor (1990-2017) 25 Altay (1959-1983)
Since 1992.
1992: Dinamo Kyiv
1992: Shakhtar Donetsk
1996: Vorskla Poltava
2018: Desna Chernihiv
2019: Kolos Kovalivka
2020: Inhulets Petrove
2020: FC Mynaj
2020: Rukh Lviv
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1992:
31* Dinamo Kyiv (1992-2022 (running))
31* Shakhtar Donetsk (1992-2022 (running))
26 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (1992-2017)
26* Vorskla Poltava (1996-2022 (running))
23 Tavrija Simferopol (1992-2014)
21 Kryvbas Krivyi-Rih (1992-2013)
20 Metalurh Zaporizhzhja (1992-2011)
19 Arsenal Kyiv (CSCA-Borisfen, CSCA) (1995-2014)
18 Metalurh Donetsk (1997-2015)
16* Zorya Luhansk (2006-2022 (running))
14 Karpaty Lviv (2006-2020)
13 Karpaty Lviv (1992-2004)
12 Metalist Kharkiv (2004-2016)
10 Illichivets Mariupil (Metalurh) (1997-2007)
10 Nyva Ternopil (1992-2001)
NB: also considering the Soviet Union, the following clubs had an uninterrupted series
of 20 or more seasons in the top flight since 1936:
84* Dinamo Kyiv (1936-2022 (running))
50* Shakhtar Donetsk (1973-2022 (running))
37 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (1981-2017)
26* Vorskla Poltava (1996-2022 (running))
23 Tavrija Simferopol (1992-2014)
21 Metalurh Zaporizhzhja (1991-2011)
21 Kryvbas Krivyi-Rih (1992-2013)
Since 1900.
1900: Peńarol
1901: Nacional
2016: Boston River
NB: only counting the professional league (since 1932), Nacional and Peńarol
are both unrelegated founder members.
Peńarol were expelled from the Uruguayan association (together with
Central) on November 20, 1922, after playing matches against teams from
the Argentine 'Asociación Amateurs de Football' (a rival organisation to
the 'Asociación Argentina de Football'); at that time, they had played
16 league matches. In 1923 and 1924 they played in a league organised
by the 'Federación Uruguaya de Football' before the leagues were united
in 1926 (there was no league competition in 1925); they were therefore
active at the top level in every season since 1900.
Since 1992. 1992: Aberystwyth Town 1992: Newtown 1993: The New Saints (Llansantffraid) 2009: Bala Town 2016: Cardiff Metropolitan University 2019: Pen-y-Bont Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 10 or more seasons in the top flight since 1992: 30* Aberystwyth Town (1992-2022 (running)) 30* Newtown (1992-2022 (running)) 29* The New Saints (Llansantffraid) (1993-2022 (running)) 26 Bangor City (1992-2018) 24 Carmarthen Town (1996-2020) 18 Connah's Quay Nomads (1992-2010) 18 Caersws (1992-2010) 16 Rhyl (1994-2010) 16 Port Talbot Town (2000-2016) 15 Cwmbran Town (1992-2007) 14 Haverfordwest County (1997-2011) 13 Airbus UK Broughton (2004-2017) 13* Bala Town (2009-2022 (running)) 11 Cefn Druids (1999-2010) 10 Barry Town (1994-2004) 10* Connah's Quay Nomads (2012-2022 (running))
Since 1946 and until 1991.
1946: Crvena zvezda Beograd
1946: Dinamo Zagreb
1946: Hajduk Split
1946: Partizan Beograd
1987: Rad Beograd
NB: Hajduk were the only club to reach the final stages (i.e. quarterfinals or
final group stage) of the national championship in every season from its
start in 1923. There were final playoffs from 1927 until 1930/31 in league
format; qualifying for this was based on regional competitions. In 1932/33
a national league with promotion and relegation was introduced, but there
was no championship in 1933/34 and one decided by a knock-out tournament in
1935/36.
NB: the last Yugoslav league season was held in 1990/91;
Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb have never been relegated in Croatia since;
Rad Beograd were relegated in Serbia-Montenegro in 2003;
Crvena zvezda Beograd and Partizan Beograd have never been relegated in
Serbia-Montenegro or Serbia since the split(s).
Clubs with an uninterrupted series of 20 or more seasons in the top flight
since 1946 and until 1991:
45 Crvena zvezda Beograd (1946-1991)
45 Dinamo Zagreb (1946-1991)
45 Hajduk Split (1946-1991)
45 Partizan Beograd (1946-1991)
36 Vojvodina Novi Sad (1951-1986)
36 Velez Mostar (1955-1991)
33 Sarajevo (1958-1991)
23 Radnicki Nis (1962-1985)
22 Sloboda Tuzla (1969-1991)
20 OFK Beograd (1959-1979)
NB: all Bosnian and Serbian clubs listed above played at the top level in 1991/92
in the "remainder of Yugoslavia", here included as Serbia-Montenegro.
With thanks to Lars Alexandersson, Estebán Ávila, Thierry Berthou, Diego Cervini, Mike Dryomin, Sřren Elbech, Eoin Hurley, Vidar Jortveit, Spyros Karasoulous, Igor Kramarsic, Goran Mancevski, Brunislav Matasovic, Gwidon Naskrent, Frédéric Pauron, Heikki Pietarinen, Ricardo Pontes, James Ross, Tarek Said, Martín Tabeira and Andreas Werner for additions and corrections.
Prepared and maintained by Karel Stokkermans for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
Author: Karel Stokkermans
(karel.rsssf@gmail.com
Last updated: 29 Dec 2021
(C) Copyright Karel Stokkermans and RSSSF 1996/2021
You are free to copy this document in whole or part provided that proper
acknowledgement is given to the author. All rights reserved.