All 24 EFL Championship clubs ranked by how much suffering they’ve endured over the last decade | OneFootball

Which second-tier side has suffered the most in the past 10 years?

Football is certainly an emotional rollercoaster for each and every club across the globe, with supporters known to endure such great highs and deep lows throughout a lengthy timeframe.

It must be said, though, that the Championship is one division which perfectly embodies the mixed emotions and fortunes felt by ownership groups, players and those in the terraces.

The current campaign has certainly thrown up plenty of surprises as we gear towards the season-defining winter period, as well as there being an intriguing mix of clubs with varying levels of both overall and recent success or misfortune.

With that being said, Football League World have taken such developments into account, starting from the year 2015, and ranked each of the 24 sides based on how much suffering they have had to endure in the past decade.

Kickstarting this list are Millwall, with the Lions enjoying a pretty modest decade, all things considered.

Since their promotion back to the Championship in 2017, numerous top-half finishes have been recorded, and the hope is a first play-off finish since 2002 can finally be recorded under Alex Neil's management.

23 ? ? Bristol City

Bristol City have been in a similar predicament since returning to the Championship from League One in 2014/15.

Ashton Gate has been expanded and, in turn, the Robins have become a much more attractive proposition for potential buyers over time.

However, they did suffer play-off heartbreak last season through a 6-0 aggregate defeat to Sheffield United.

22 ? ? Oxford United

Oxford United began the 2015/16 season in League Two, with the aforementioned campaign ending in promotion.

Within the past 10 years, the U's have been able to establish themselves in League One before returning to the Championship last season after defeating Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium in May 2024.

It is a credit to the club that they are able to compete with many ex-Premier League sides, whilst plans for an upcoming 16,000-seater stadium have been approved.

Preston North End have become the epitome of a middling Championship side in the past 10 years, with Lilywhites supporters hoping that, one day, their club will return to the top-flight for the first time in 60 years.

There is a reasonable chance of such feats occurring under Paul Heckingbottom this season, although it must be noted that a dismal end to last season sparked fears of a potential return to League One before a final-day escape.

20 ? ? Wrexham

Wrexham began the 2015/16 season in the National League, and would go on to even finish as low as 19th in the fifth-tier back in 2019/20.

However, the Red Dragons' journey ever since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has been nothing short of transformational for the club and the local area, with Phil Parkinson overseeing a record-breaking run of three straight promotions before smashing their transfer record on multiple occasions in the summer of 2025.

Their Welsh rivals, Swansea City are up next.

The Swans have been outside the Premier League for seven years now, and it must be said that a return feels a long way off at present, having failed to finish inside the play-offs since losing to Brentford at Wembley Stadium in May 2021.

However, there will be hope that ex-Liverpool assistant, Vitor Matos, can restore pride and an identity within the club as they look to surge up the table.

18 ? ? Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough supporters haven't had a great deal of suffering to endure within the past decade, albeit they will hope their own Premier League exile comes to an end soon.

Steve Gibson has continued to bankroll such aims as a lifelong supporter done good, and will hope that, if anyone is suffering anytime soon, it is Rob Edwards, who controversially exited the club to join relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers.

17 ? ? Southampton

Southampton supporters are clearly disillusioned with ownership group, Sport Republic at present.

However, despite an extremely chaotic return to the EFL after a second relegation within three seasons, such developments and frustrations certainly pale in comparison to the recent misfortune of many divisional rivals.

16 ? ? Norwich City

The same could somewhat be said for Norwich City, although there are understandable fears of a first stint in League One since 2010 currently circling around Carrow Road.

The Canaries have regressed constantly since falling out of the Premier League in 2021/22, and have rarely seen good returns on the hefty investment into the playing squad in recent seasons, with Philippe Clement hoping to turn the tide after his recent appointment.

15 ? ? Watford

Watford were relegated from the Premier League in the same season, with chaos continuing to be associated with the Hertfordshire club in the following seasons.

As has been well-documented, the Pozzo family have never been afraid to make sweeping and sudden changes at Vicarage Road, with Javi Gracia now in his second stint in charge of the Hornets, becoming their third boss of 2025 following the dismissals of Tom Cleverley and Paulo Pezzolano.