No Trophies, No Problem – FM Saves with REAL Underdog Teams for the Ultimate Challenge

Crystal Palace won the FA Cup at the weekend, there first major trophy in there entire history. A day that none of their fans will ever forget. And it got me thinking… what other teams in the Premier League are waiting for their first major trophy? What teams in the Championship have never got to the Premier League? What non-league teams have never played in the football league system?

We spent hours-upon-hours scouting unknown wonderkids, some of who never actually amount to anything. However, sometimes it’s worth jumping in and supporting an underdog, taking a team that’s never won anything and turning them into something for the alternate-reality history books.

I’ve had a look through all of these to give you inspiration for your next save. We all like to make history – and if you start off with one of these teams you actually can.

Teams in the Premier League who have never won a major trophy

• Brentford – Brentford has never reached the final of a major domestic competition.
• Brighton & Hove Albion – Brighton came close in the 1983 FA Cup final but lost in a replay.
• AFC Bournemouth – Bournemouth has not reached the final of any major domestic competition.
• Fulham – Fulham reached the FA Cup final in 1975 and the UEFA Europa League final in 2010 but were runners-up on both occasions.

Teams in the Championship that have never been in the top flight

• Plymouth Argyle – The largest city in England never to have hosted a top-flight football team. They have never competed in the top division.

Teams in the Championship that have never been in the Premier League

• Bristol City – Despite a long history in English football, Bristol City has never competed in the Premier League.
• Millwall – Millwall achieved promotion to the top flight in 1988 but has not featured in the Premier League era.
• Oxford United – Oxford United enjoyed top-flight football in the 1980s but has not featured in the Premier League era.
• Preston North End – A founding member of the Football League and former First Division champions, Preston North End has not played in the Premier League.

Teams in League One that have never been higher than League One

• Crawley Town – Crawley Town has never competed above League One, achieving promotion to this level for the first time in the 2012–13 season.
• Exeter City – Exeter City has not progressed beyond the third tier, with their highest league finish being 8th in the third division.
• Stevenage Town – Stevenage has never played above League One, reaching this level for the first time in the 2011–12 season.

Teams in League Two that have never been higher than League Two

• Harrogate Town – Promoted to the Football League for the first time in 2020, Harrogate Town is relatively new to League Two.
• Salford City – Backed by the ‘Class of ’92’, Salford City achieved promotion to the Football League in 2019. They have remained in League Two since.
• Bromley – In their inaugural EFL League Two season (2024–25), Bromley finished 11th, marking a commendable debut in the fourth tier of English football.

National League Clubs that have never played in the football league

• Altrincham – A well-established non-league side with a rich history, Altrincham has never ascended to the Football League.
• Braintree Town – Based in Essex, Braintree Town has competed in the National League but has not achieved promotion to the EFL.
• Eastleigh – A relatively young club, Eastleigh has made strides in non-league football but remains outside the Football League.
• Ebbsfleet United – Formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet, Ebbsfleet United has a storied non-league presence without EFL participation.
• Fylde – Highest league position was 7th in the National League (the fifth-highest tier of English football) during the 2016-17 season
• Gateshead – While a previous incarnation of Gateshead played in the Football League, the current club, established in 1977, has not.
• Maidenhead United – One of the oldest football clubs, Maidenhead United has a long-standing non-league history without EFL involvement.
• Solihull Moors – Formed in 2007 from a merger, Solihull Moors has steadily climbed the non-league tiers but has yet to reach the Football League.
• Tamworth – A club with a consistent presence in non-league football, Tamworth has not broken into the EFL ranks.
• Wealdstone – Known for their passionate fanbase, Wealdstone has a rich non-league heritage without EFL competition.
• Woking – A club with notable FA Cup runs, Woking has remained in non-league football throughout its existence.

National League North clubs yet to reach the national league or above

• Brackley Town – Highest league position: First in the National League North, 2024–25.
• Buxton – They have never been higher than the National League North. Highest position is 7th.
• Curzton Ashton – They have never been higher than the National League North. Highest position is also 7th.
• Farsley Celtic – Highest league position is 10th in the National League north.
• Leamington – Leamington FC’s highest league position was in the National League North, where they finished 7th in the 2020/21 season.
• Marine FC – Based in Merseyside, Marine FC has a long-standing history in non-league football but has not ascended beyond the sixth tier.
• Radcliffe FC – A Greater Manchester club, Radcliffe FC has primarily competed in the lower tiers and has not reached the National League or Football League.
• Rushall Olympic – Hailing from the West Midlands, Rushall Olympic has remained within the non-league system without promotion to higher tiers.
• Warrington Town – Located in Cheshire, Warrington Town has experienced success in regional competitions but has not progressed to the National League or Football League.
• Peterborough Sports – Despite recent promotions, Peterborough Sports has yet to compete in the National League or Football League.
• Scarborough Athletic – Highest League Position: 8th in National League North.
• South Shields – The club’s highest league position is also 8th in the National League North.
• Spennymoor Town – Spennymoor Town’s highest position in the football pyramid is in the National League North where they have competed since the 2017-18 season. They were previously in the Northern League Division One
• Needham Market FC – A Suffolk-based club, Needham Market FC has remained in the lower tiers without reaching the National League or Football League.

National League South clubs yet to reach the National League or Football League

• Aveley FC – Based in Essex, Aveley FC has a rich non-league history but has not ascended beyond the sixth tier.
• Chelmsford City – In the 2023–24 season, Chelmsford recorded their highest finish and highest points total since being in the National League South, finishing second
• Chesham United – A Buckinghamshire club, Chesham United has competed in various non-league divisions without promotion to higher tiers.
• Chippenham Town – Located in Wiltshire, Chippenham Town has remained within the non-league system without reaching the National League or Football League.
• Dorking Wanderers – The club has had a meteoric rise but has never been higher than the Vanarama League South.
• Enfield Town – A relatively new club from Greater London, Enfield Town has yet to progress beyond the sixth tier.
• FC Salisbury – Formed after the dissolution of Salisbury City, FC Salisbury has not competed above the sixth tier.
• Hampton & Richmond – Hampton & Richmond Borough’s highest league position in the English football pyramid was in the National League South.
• Hemel Hempstead – The club has never made it above the Vanarama League South.
• Hornchurch FC – An Essex-based club, Hornchurch FC has a strong non-league presence but has not reached the National League or Football League.
• Slough Town – Located in Berkshire, Slough Town has a long history in non-league football without promotion to higher tiers.
• Tonbridge Angels – A Kent-based club, Tonbridge Angels has remained within the non-league system without ascending to the National League or Football League.
• Truro City – this season they’ve finished 1st in the National League South which is their highest finish ever.
• Welling United – Based in South East London, Welling United has competed in various non-league divisions without reaching higher tiers.
• Weston-super-Mare AFC – A Somerset club, Weston-super-Mare AFC has a consistent non-league presence but has not progressed beyond the sixth tier.
• Worthing – The club has never been higher than the Vanarama League South.