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| Founded | 1920; 105 years ago (1920)[1] |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2004; 21 years ago (2004) |
| Replaced by | EFL League Two |
| Country | |
| Number of clubs | 24 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 (1920–1992) 4 (1992–2004) |
| Promotion to | Second Division |
| Relegation to | Fourth Division (1958–1992) Football Conference (1992–2004) |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy |
| Last champions | Doncaster Rovers (2003–04) |
| Most championships | Plymouth Argyle (4 titles, including 2 in Third Division South) |
TheFootball League Third Division was the third tier of theEnglish football league system in1920–21 and again from1958 until1992. When theFA Premier League was formed, the Third Division become the fourth tier of English football. In 2004, following the formation of theFootball League Championship, the division was renamedFootball League Two.
Most of these clubs were drawn from what was then the top division of the1919–20 Southern Football League, in an expansion of theFootball League south ofBirmingham. AsCardiff City was long considered a potential entrant for the Second Division due to theirFA Cup exploits and Southern League dominance, they were sent directly into the Second Division and Grimsby Town, who finished in last place in the Second Division in 1919–20, were relegated.
This league continued in 1921–22 asFootball League Third Division South whilst theFootball League Third Division North was formed with the Northern clubs, the two Divisions jointly forming the third tier.
Geographical separation was abolished in 1958 with the creation of theFootball League Fourth Division.
The original members in 1958–59 were:
Of these, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brentford, Hull, Norwich, Notts, QPR, Reading,Southampton, and Swindon have made the top flight in either the First Division or thePremier League era. Stockport, Doncaster, Notts County and Rochdale were the first to be relegated into the Fourth Division the following season (1959–60), starting the bottom-four-team turnover tradition for the third tier. As with the Second Division, the champion and runner-up were automatically promoted; the third place was also promoted automatically beginning in 1974.Play-offs for the third promotion place were introduced in 1987. AFC Bournemouth, formerly Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, hold the record as the club to have spent most time in this division.
The Third Division of English football lasted for a total of 72 years, the first 38 years as two regionalised divisions (although just 31 seasons were played due to the advent ofWorld War II) before a 34-year run as a national division. Plymouth Argyle were the most successful team at this level during these years, winning the national title twice, having already won the southern section twice.
In 1992 theFA Premier League started and the Football League was reduced in numbers, leading to the Third Division becoming the fourth tier. SeeFootball League One for subsequent third-tier history.
SeeList of winners of English Football League One and predecessors for winners before 1992 andList of winners of English Football League Two and predecessors for winners afterwards.
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