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30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

By Benjamin Taylor

Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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9. Ipswich Town, 2000-01

16 Dec 2000: James Scowcroft of Ipswich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team-mates during the FA Carling Premiership match between Ipswich Town v Southampton at Portman Road, Ipswich. Mandatory Credit: Mike Hewitt/ALLSPORT
16 Dec 2000: James Scowcroft of Ipswich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team-mates during the FA Carling Premiership match between Ipswich Town v Southampton at Portman Road, Ipswich. Mandatory Credit: Mike Hewitt/ALLSPORT /

Starting XI: R. Wright (GK); F. Wilnis, T. Bramble, J. McGreal, H. Hreidarsson; J. Wright, M. Holland, J. Magilton, J. Clapham; M. Stewart, J. Scowcroft.

If you’re unfamiliar with most of the names above, then I don’t blame you – even at the time, many shrugged at Ipswich’s lineup. But perhaps that demonstrates how extraordinary Ipswich’s achievements were in 2000-01.

The Suffolk club had won promotion to the Premier League courtesy of the playoffs the previous season. They were a unanimous pick to go straight back from whence they came; they just didn’t have the quality required to compete in the top tier. Instead, they were propelled by the goals of Marcus Stewart – his tally of 19 was second only to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the league – to a remarkable 5th place finish. For much of the season, they had occupied the top three, only to tail off over the final few games.

Stewart himself typified the group of players George Burley had assembled: journeymen, veterans, lower-league standouts, and a smattering of unheralded youngsters. At the time, the likes of Richard Wright and Titus Bramble were being tipped for England glory – as was the in-form Stewart – but in hindsight, they were nothing more than average players playing with a quality and consistency that belied their natural talent.

Burley failed to maintain such quality and consistency, and Ipswich were duly relegated the following season – though they were, at least, able to enjoy a handful of UEFA Cup matches.

Next: No. 8

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