The 14 biggest sleeping giants in the EFL named and ranked | OneFootball

The 14 clubs in the EFL with the greatest potential to rise back to greatness

The EFL has a wide variety of clubs making up its 72 members just below the 20 teams competing in the Premier League.

There are a number of sides who were once at the pinnacle of the game, even winning a top flight title or two in their history, while there are others who have never even reached the Championship, or its equivalent, in their entire history.

It is those sleeping giants that have become neutral favourites over the years, with past examples being the likes of Nottingham Forest or even Aston Villa, during their few years out of the Premier League.

Here we take a look at the 14 biggest sleeping giants currently in the EFL, ranked from 14th to 1st…

14 ? ? Southampton

Southampton are always the bridesmaid and never the bride, as the Saints have achieved a runners-up finish in the league, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup in their history.

The Saints have a top flight pedigree, which they further enhanced in the last 15 years in the Premier League by introducing English football to the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Sadio Mané and Virgil van Dijk, among others.

13 ? ? Blackpool

Blackpool don’t have the trophy cabinet that some of the other clubs on this list may have, but they are also the club of the great Stanley Matthews.

He is the finest player to ever put on the Tangerine shirt, with his performance in the 1953 FA Cup final even leading to that becoming known as the Matthews Final. He was also the inaugural winner of the Ballon d’Or.

12 ? ? Birmingham City

Birmingham City have never won the league or FA Cup, but they have twice achieved success in the EFL Cup, even as recently as 2011.

The Blues are the forgotten half of their rivalry with Aston Villa, but the Second City derby remains one of the fiercest in English football, and is one that many neutrals would love to see reignited in the Premier League in the near future.

11 ? ? Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough’s biggest claim to glory in English football is their 2004 EFL Cup victory, which also qualified the club for the UEFA Cup.

Boro earned a Last 16 place, before then making the final in 2006 under Steve McClaren.

The team also earned a semi-final place in the FA Cup, as the Teesside outfit cemented themselves as cup-specialists.

With the Riverside, they also have a stadium with a capacity of around 34,000, and some memorable figures have got those fans on their feet in the Premier League over the years, such as Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli.

10 ? ? Sheffield United

Sheffield United are perhaps overshadowed by their bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday in historic terms, but they are still one of the great sleeping giants currently presiding in the EFL in their own right.

The Blades have never won a league title, but they have clinched the FA Cup on four occasions, albeit the most recent triumph was now 101 years ago.

West Brom have won the FA Cup five times in their history, along with the 1919/20 First Division title.

The Baggies’ modern history also includes a respectable stint in the Premier League from 2010 to 2018, and they have spent five other seasons in the division since it was formed in 1992.

Portsmouth were one of the first great teams of English football in the immediate aftermath of WWII, winning back-to-back titles in 1949 and 1950.

Their 1939 FA Cup triumph preceded this league success, but most modern fans will also remember their 2008 victory in the competition, beating Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium under Harry Redknapp.

7 ? ? Derby County

Derby County have an unwanted Premier League record with the lowest ever points tally, earning 11 in 2007/08, and have not returned to the top flight since.

However, they are also the 1972 and 1975 First Division winners, earning the title the year after gaining promotion under Brian Clough.

The Rams reached the 1973 European Cup semi-final, and have a pedigree of competing in the UEFA Cup from this period.

Meanwhile, their 1946 FA Cup triumph gives them an extra piece of credibility as a sleeping giant in the English game.

6 ? ? Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town’s biggest claim to fame in English football is their 1962 First Division success under Sir Alf Ramsey, who went on to lead England to home success at the World Cup in 1966.

The Tractor Boys remarkably won the title at the first attempt, having been promoted from the Second Division in 1961 with a new, defensive way of playing.

5 ? ? Preston North End

Preston North End haven’t competed in the top flight of English football since 1961, but there is simply no denying their status as a sleeping giant of the game.

The Lilywhites are a founding member of the Football League, and they won the first ever First Division title.

Not only that, they won the double as they clinched the FA Cup in 1889 as well, and they are one of only two clubs to have completed an unbeaten league campaign.