Everton have made the most appearances in the top flight of English football.
Between the old first division (1888 to 1992) and the Premiership ever since, the Toffees have taken part in 109 seasons.
The record for most consecutive seasons is held by Arsenal, with an unbroken 85 from 1919, excluding the league’s hiatus during the Second World War.
Most wins in the top division go to Liverpool, with 1,787.
Most titles celebrated in the upper echelon of the English league belong to the red half of Manchester with 19, narrowly giving them the edge over Liverpool.
Three of the all-time greats, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal – along with HuddersfieldTown – have all won the league title three times in succession, with United managing the feat twice between the end of the last century and 2009.
Arsenal’s 2003/04 winning streak saw them go unbeaten during the entire season, with a phenomenal run of Played 38, Won 26, Drawn 12 – and Lost 0.
Other fascinating facts and figures from the wonderful world of football include:-
The delightfully-named Syd Puddlefoot scored 40 goals in West Ham’s tally of 102 in the 1917/18 season.
Kenny Dalglish was the first player to score 100 league goals in Scotland and England: 112 for Celtic and 118 for Liverpool.
Brian Clough holds the record for the fastest 200 league goals. He reached the target in eight years from 1953 to 1961.
The legendary Pelé put away 1, 283 goals in 22 years between 1956 and 1978.
SwindonTown conceded a record 100 premiership goals in 1993/94. The fewest number of goals let in during a premiership season is 15, by Chelsea in 2004/05.
Jimmy Greaves scored four goals in an England international no fewer than six times – against Norway (1960,) Luxembourg (1960,) Scotland (1961,) Peru (1962,) and Northern Ireland (1963 and 1964.)
Bobby Charlton remains England’s most prolific goal scorer with 49 international goals. His closest rival to the record, Gary Lineker, was robbed of the chance of equalling the total when Graham Taylor pulled him from the England squad when his tally stood at 48.
- Charlton’s long-standing record is in little danger of being broken during Euro 2012.
Of the current side, Wayne Rooney is his nearest threat…and he still needs to net another 20 to match Sir Bobby's haul!
The Manchester United striker – banned from the start of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine – currently has 29 England goals to his name.
Nicki Williams writes for sports specialists Gear-Zone, where you'll find everything from football boots to the new England strip
Picture source: Compfight
