- Apr 5, 2014
- 24,049
Below is a glossary of teams who have finished in the top ten of the Premier League since Brighton were promoted and how many times they have achieved it:
The 'Big 6' feature in every season apart from Chelsea being absent once. From this we conclude, with full evidence, that six positions are not available to aspiring clubs as the wealth of those teams cannot be matched. In the last two seasons Newcastle United have joined them (having been there once prior). It is fair to say that if they haven't yet, Newcastle United will soon join the elite group.
This means that, realistically, only three positions remain each season for other clubs. Now let's take a look.
Since Albion joined, 14 clubs have been relegated (EDIT: Not added this season- Luton Town makes the figure 15)
Of those 14. 4 have reached the top ten during their tenure of the last 7 seasons.
Of the current teams outside the 'Big 7' only West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Everton have been in the Premier League longer than Brighton. All three have flirted with relegation at different times
From this mind numbing number crunching we conclude that:
1) There is no such thing as an established Premier League club outside of the big 7. Aston Villa, West Ham United and Everton have the best opportunity to join that at present due to finances and, in Everton's case, a larger facility
2) Only three positions are available in objective terms to any other club than the big 7 in the top half of the league.
Where Brighton are concerned:
1) To have survived 7 seasons in the Premier League is well beyond expectation.
2) To have done so with stable finances makes this even more laudable
3) The Brighton model works as a basis of future proofing in the event of relegation
4) In crude financial terms, the ambition of becoming an established top ten Premier League club is not realistic. This would involve a financially pressured model that is not sustainable (see Leicester City). However, as an emotional aspiration- why not ?
5) A finish anywhere between 8th & 14th on a continual basis would be regarded as an ongoing success when measured against financial and circumstantial realities.
6) This season was another success
The problem for any fan is where we go from here. In real terms, we remain here and understand that no matter how much passion and 'ambition' there is, the facts remain. The ceiling remains in place, sometimes it may be broken, but the big club repairmen will always be along to fix it. A different approach is needed (hence the club model)
What I take away from this is the joy of knowing Albion did it. And may yet be a gremlin in the works again. But for now I think I'll just enjoy being at the top table while it lasts. And hopefully that will be for a while to come yet.
The 'Big 6' feature in every season apart from Chelsea being absent once. From this we conclude, with full evidence, that six positions are not available to aspiring clubs as the wealth of those teams cannot be matched. In the last two seasons Newcastle United have joined them (having been there once prior). It is fair to say that if they haven't yet, Newcastle United will soon join the elite group.
This means that, realistically, only three positions remain each season for other clubs. Now let's take a look.
Since Albion joined, 14 clubs have been relegated (EDIT: Not added this season- Luton Town makes the figure 15)
Of those 14. 4 have reached the top ten during their tenure of the last 7 seasons.
Of the current teams outside the 'Big 7' only West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Everton have been in the Premier League longer than Brighton. All three have flirted with relegation at different times
From this mind numbing number crunching we conclude that:
1) There is no such thing as an established Premier League club outside of the big 7. Aston Villa, West Ham United and Everton have the best opportunity to join that at present due to finances and, in Everton's case, a larger facility
2) Only three positions are available in objective terms to any other club than the big 7 in the top half of the league.
Where Brighton are concerned:
1) To have survived 7 seasons in the Premier League is well beyond expectation.
2) To have done so with stable finances makes this even more laudable
3) The Brighton model works as a basis of future proofing in the event of relegation
4) In crude financial terms, the ambition of becoming an established top ten Premier League club is not realistic. This would involve a financially pressured model that is not sustainable (see Leicester City). However, as an emotional aspiration- why not ?
5) A finish anywhere between 8th & 14th on a continual basis would be regarded as an ongoing success when measured against financial and circumstantial realities.
6) This season was another success
The problem for any fan is where we go from here. In real terms, we remain here and understand that no matter how much passion and 'ambition' there is, the facts remain. The ceiling remains in place, sometimes it may be broken, but the big club repairmen will always be along to fix it. A different approach is needed (hence the club model)
What I take away from this is the joy of knowing Albion did it. And may yet be a gremlin in the works again. But for now I think I'll just enjoy being at the top table while it lasts. And hopefully that will be for a while to come yet.
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