The
Lesser Known Facts of the English Premier League Season The English Premier League, also known as the EPL, is one of the most popular football leagues in the world. Every year, millions of fans tune in to watch the games, avidly cheering on their favorite teams. With high stakes, intense competition, and impressive athletic feats, the EPL season can be exhilarating to watch. However, there are also many little-known facts about the league and its players that casual fans may not be aware of.
1. The League Was Formed in 1992 While football has been played in England for over a century, the Premier League as we know it today dates back only to 199
2. Before that, the top division of English football was known as the Football League First Division, which had been in existence since 188
8. However, in 1992, the top teams in the First Division broke away to form the new, more lucrative Premier League.
2. The Premier League Has Only Had Six Champions Since the league's formation in 1992, only six different teams have won the title: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, and Leicester City. Manchester United has won the most titles, with 13, while Leicester City's win in the 2015-2016 season was one of the most surprising and unlikely championship victories in the history of English football.
3. David James Holds the Record for Most Premier League Appearances David James, the former goalkeeper for Liverpool, Aston Villa, and several other teams, holds the record for most appearances in the Premier League, with a staggering 572 games played. Coming in second is Gareth Barry, who has played in 653 Premier League games to date.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo Was Once Only Worth £10 Million Today, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most famous and successful football players in the world, with a net worth in the hundreds of millions. However, when he was first signed by Manchester United in 2003, he was only worth £10 million. That may seem like a lot, but by today's standards, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the £100 million-plus transfer fees that are common for top players today.
5. The Premier League Has Banned Certain Goal Celebrations While football players are known for their creative and often amusing goal celebrations, the Premier League has banned certain types of celebrations over the years. In particular, they've cracked down on celebrations that involve taking off one's shirt, as well as those that are deemed too political or offensive.
6. The EPL is the Most-Watched Football League in the World Despite fierce competition from other leagues, the Premier League remains the most-watched football league in the world. According to data from the 2019-2020 season, the league was watched by an estimated
4.7 billion people in over 200 countries. In conclusion, the English Premier League is so much more than just a series of football matches. From its intriguing history and surprising champions to the record-breaking achievements of certain players, there's always something new and interesting to discover about this iconic league.