Football League Third Division
| Founded | 1920 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2004 |
| Country | England Wales |
| Number of teams | 24 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 (1992–2004) 3 (1920–1992) |
| 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) |
The Football League Third Division was the 3rd division in English football. Its first season was the 1920–21. It would be brought back for the 1958-59 season. It was the 3rd division until the 1991-92 season. It became the 4th division in 1992, after the FA Premier League was created. It was replaced by the Football League Two in 2004.
Founding clubs[change | change source]
- Brentford
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Bristol Rovers
- Crystal Palace (inaugural champions in 1920–21)
- Exeter City
- Gillingham
- Grimsby Town
- Luton Town
- Merthyr Town
- Millwall
- Newport County
- Northampton Town
- Norwich City
- Plymouth Argyle
- Portsmouth
- Queens Park Rangers
- Reading
- Southampton
- Southend United
- Swansea Town
- Swindon Town
- Watford
Champions[change | change source]
- 1920/21 : Crystal Palace
- 1958/59 : Plymouth Argyle
- 1959/60 : Southampton
- 1960/61 : Bury
- 1961/62 : Portsmouth
- 1962/63 : Northampton Town
- 1963/64 : Coventry City
- 1964/65 : Carlisle United
- 1965/66 : Hull City
- 1966/67 : Queens Park Rangers
- 1967/68 : Oxford United
- 1968/69 : Watford
- 1969/70 : Orient
- 1970/71 : Preston North End
- 1971/72 : Aston Villa
- 1972/73 : Bolton Wanderers
- 1973/74 : Oldham Athletic
- 1974/75 : Blackburn Rovers
- 1975/76 : Hereford United
- 1976/77 : Mansfield Town
- 1977/78 : Wrexham
- 1978/79 : Shrewsbury Town
- 1979/80 : Grimsby Town
- 1980/81 : Rotherham United
- 1981/82 : Burnley
- 1982/83 : Portsmouth
- 1983/84 : Oxford United
- 1984/85 : Bradford City
- 1985/86 : Reading
- 1986/87 : Bournemouth
- 1987/88 : Sunderland
- 1988/89 : Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 1989/90 : Bristol Rovers
- 1990/91 : Cambridge United
- 1991/92 : Brentford
- 1992/93 : Cardiff City
- 1993/94 : Shrewsbury Town
- 1994/95 : Carlisle United
- 1995/96 : Preston North End
- 1996/97 : Wigan Athletic
- 1997/98 : Notts County
- 1998/99 : Brentford
- 1999/00 : Swansea City
- 2000/01 : Brighton & Hove Albion
- 2001/02 : Plymouth Argyle
- 2002/03 : Rushden & Diamonds
- 2003/04 : Doncaster Rovers