Ranked: The 11 Most Successful English Clubs
The Premier League is one of the most notable and historic leagues in world football, with huge clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool making up the 20 teams that play in it each season.
A common question amongst football enthusiasts is ‘Which English club is the most successful?’. In this article, we’re going to rank the 11 most successful English clubs by looking at the number of major trophies they’ve won over the years. Who will come out on top? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
Ranking Criteria
Before we get into our list of the most successful English teams, we’re going to outline the criteria by which we’ve ranked the sides. All data was taken from TransferMarkt, and we’ve counted all senior trophies, excluding any English 2nd Division titles and the Football League Super Cup (only applicable to Liverpool).
Football League Super Cup
The Football League Super Cup was a one-off competition that took place during the 1985/86 season, with the following 6 teams taking part:
- Everton
- Manchester United
- Norwich City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Southampton
The purpose of this tournament was to help raise financial compensation for English clubs who had been banned from entering European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.
Liverpool won the competition, beating Everton 7-2 on aggregate after two legs. As this was a one-off competition, we’ve decided to exclude it from our rankings.
11 Most Successful English Clubs
The 11 most successful English clubs based on major trophy wins are:
- Manchester United (67 trophies)
- Liverpool (66 trophies)
- Arsenal (48 trophies)
- Manchester City (33 trophies)
- Chelsea (32 trophies)
- Tottenham Hotspur (24 trophies)
- Everton (24 trophies)
- Aston Villa (22 trophies)
- Newcastle United (14 trophies)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (13 trophies)
- Nottingham Forest (11 trophies)
11. Nottingham Forest (11 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| European Cup | 2 | 1978/79, 1979/80 |
| English Champion | 1 | 1977/78 |
| UEFA Supercup | 1 | 1979/80 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1897/98, 1958/59 |
| League Cup | 4 | 1977/78, 1978/79, 1988/89, 1989/90 |
| English Supercup | 1 | 1978/79 |
The first team on our list are midlands club Nottingham Forest. Having only recently returned to the English top flight in 2022, the club has won 11 major trophies throughout its rich history.
Under the management of English manager Brian Clough, the club enjoyed a decorated spell during the late 70s, where they won two consecutive European Cups, one league title, the UEFA Supercup, two league cups and the English Supercup.
Forest’s two European Cups puts them joint 3rd in the table of English clubs with European Cup wins behind the following teams:
- Liverpool – 6 European Cups
- Manchester United – 3 European Cups
Forest’s Last Trophy Win
Nottingham Forest last won a trophy during the 1989/90 season, winning the English League Cup after beating Oldham Athletic 1-0. Fans of the “Tricky Trees” have since waited 33 years for their next trophy win.
10. Wolverhampton Wanderers (13 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| English Champion | 3 | 1953/54, 1957/58, 1958/59 |
| FA Cup | 4 | 1892/93, 1907/08, 1948/49, 1959/60 |
| League Cup | 2 | 1973/74, 1979/80 |
| English Supercup | 4 | 1949/50, 1954/55, 1959/60, 1960/61 |
The 10th most successful English club based on major trophy wins are West-Midlanders Wolverhampton Wanderers. They’ve won an additional two trophies compared to Forest, taking their total to 13.
Although the club haven’t experienced any European success, they have been crowned English champions on three separate occasions during the 1950s. During this decade they also won the FA Cup, and the English Supercup twice.
Wolves achieved promotion from the second tier of English football following the conclusion of the 2017/18 season, after they signed the likes of Rúben Neves, Diogo Jota and Léo Bonatini. They were able to sign these players through their collaboration with football super agent Jorge Mendes (Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent). They have remained in the Premier League ever since.
Wolves Last Trophy Win
Wolves last trophy win came during the 1979/80 season, where they won the English League Cup after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0. They have since waited 43 years for their next trophy win.
9. Newcastle United (14 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| English Champion | 4 | 1904/05, 1906/07, 1908/09, 1926/27 |
| FA Cup | 6 | 1909/10, 1923/24, 1931/32, 1950/51, 1951/52, 1954/55 |
| English Supercup | 1 | 1909/10 |
| Inter-cities Fairs Cup | 1 | 1968/69 |
Newcastle United are no strangers to the English top flight, and are now owned by the richest owners in world football, following Saudi-backed PIF’s purchase of the club during the 2021/22 season.
The club did achieve brief European success, winning the Inter-cities Fairs Cup during the 1968/69 season. They now have the opportunity to build on this success following their qualification for the Champions League in the 2023/24 season.
Newcastle have had greater fortunes domestically, where they’ve been crowned English champions on four occasions and won the FA Cup six times. Something tells us that it won’t be long before the Magpies win another trophy, though.
Newcastle Last Trophy Win
Excluding their English 2nd tier title during the 2016/17 season, Newcastle last won a major trophy during the 1968/69 season, which means they’ve been waiting 54 years for their fortunes to change.
8. Aston Villa (22 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| European Cup | 1 | 1981/82 |
| English Champion | 7 | 1893/94, 1895/96, 1896/97, 1898/99, 1899/00, 1909/10, 1980/81 |
| UEFA Supercup | 1 | 1982/83 |
| FA Cup | 7 | 1886/87, 1894/95, 1896/97, 1904/05, 1912/13, 1919/20, 1956/57 |
| League Cup | 5 | 1960/61, 1974/75, 1976/77, 1993/94, 1995/96 |
| English Supercup | 1 | 1981/82 |
The second club in our list of the most successful English clubs to have won a European Cup are Aston Villa, who won the competition during the 1981/82 season. Famous for their claret and blue football kit, Aston Villa were powerhouses in English football before and after the turn of the 19th century.
The club had won 8 major trophies before 1900, including five English titles and three FA Cups, however they fell in and out of success. Their fortunes appear to be on the turn, though, after qualifying for the Europa League ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Villa have won 6 different types of major trophies, which is impressive for a club outside the “big 6”. With 22 major honours to their name, they take 8th spot in the list of the most successful English teams of all time.
Aston Villa Last Trophy Win
Aston Villa’s last major trophy win came during the 1995/96 season, when they won the English League Cup after beating Leeds United 3-0. This means that the club have been waiting 17 years for glory.
7. Everton (24 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| English Champion | 9 | 1890/91, 1914/15, 1927/28, 1931/32, 1938/39, 1962/63, 1969/70, 1984/85, 1986/87 |
| Cup Winners Cup | 1 | 1984/85 |
| FA Cup | 5 | 1905/06, 1932/33, 1965/66, 1983/84, 1994/95 |
| English Supercup | 9 | 1928/29, 1932/33, 1963/64, 1970/71, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1995/96 |
Seventh in our list of the most successful English teams is the blue half of Merseyside, Everton. The club has won 24 major trophies, all of which have been won domestically, including nine English titles, five FA Cups and nine English Supercups.
In more recent times, the club haven’t faired so well, narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League on two occasions (2021/22 & 2022/23). An interesting fact about Everton is that they’re one of only six clubs to have never been relegated from England’s top flight.
Everton Last Trophy Win
Everton’s last major trophy win came during the 1995/96 season, when they won the English Supercup, beating Blackburn Rovers 1-0. This means that they’ve been waiting 17 years for a major trophy.
6. Tottenham Hotspur (24 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| English Champion | 2 | 1950/51, 1960/61 |
| UEFA Cup | 2 | 1971/72, 1983/84 |
| Cup Winners Cup | 1 | 1962/63 |
| FA Cup | 8 | 1900/01, 1920/21, 1960/61, 1961/62, 1966/67, 1980/81, 1981/82, 1990/91 |
| League Cup | 4 | 1970/71, 1972/73, 1998/99, 2007/08 |
| English Supercup | 7 | 1921/22, 1951/52, 1961/62, 1962/63, 1967/68, 1981/82, 1991/92 |
The first of the “big 6” sides in our list are Tottenham Hotspur. Similarly to Everton, the London-based club have 24 major trophies to their name, boasting a mixture of both domestic and European honours.
They’ve been crowned English champions on two occasions, as well as UEFA Cup winners twice, but their most successful competition has been the FA Cup. Spurs have won the FA Cup eight times, with their most recent victory coming in the 1990/91 season.
Talisman striker Harry Kane recently left North-London for Bayern Munich in search of his first trophy win, with Tottenham looking unlikely to win anything any time soon. Fortunately for Spurs fans is that Australian manager Ange Postecoglou has joined the club, and has brought a free-flowing attacking style of play which looks to be working well. Maybe those fortunates might change for the club in the near future.
Tottenham Last Trophy Win
Tottenham’s last major trophy win came in the 2007/08 season, where they won the League Cup after beating London rivals Chelsea 2-1. This mean that their fans have been waiting 15 years for a major trophy, which isn’t deemed good enough for a “top 6” side.
5. Chelsea (32 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| European Cup | 2 | 2011/12, 2020/21 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 | 2021/22 |
| English Champion | 6 | 1954/55, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2014/15, 2016/17 |
| UEFA Supercup | 2 | 1998/99, 2021/22 |
| Europa League | 2 | 2012/13, 2018/19 |
| Cup Winners Cup | 2 | 1970/71, 1997/98 |
| FA Cup | 8 | 1969/70, 1996/97, 1990/00, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2017/18 |
| League Cup | 5 | 1964/65, 1997/98, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2014/15 |
| English Supercup | 4 | 1955/56, 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10 |
This is where we start to see some really impressive numbers. Fifth in our rankings of the most successful English clubs of all time is Chelsea Football Club. The club has won 32 major trophies and nine different types of major title, including the Champions League on two occasions, six English titles and eight FA Cup victories.
The fans of Chelsea demand success, and will probably be quite disappointed to hear that they only rank 5th in the rankings. They’ve enjoyed various world-class players playing for their club and several elite-level managers, too.
Following Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club in May 2022, the club has been in transition, spending upwards of £900 million and prioritising the signings of up-and-coming talents including Enzo Fernández, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and many more.
Will this strategy guide them back to success? We’ll have to wait and see.
Chelsea Last Trophy Win
Chelsea last won a major trophy back in the 2020/21 season, when they won both the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Supercup. This means that Chelsea fans have only been waiting two years for their next major trophy win.
4. Manchester City (33 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| European Cup | 1 | 2022/23 |
| English Champion | 9 | 1936/37, 1967/68, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 |
| UEFA Supercup | 1 | 2023/24 |
| Cup Winners Cup | 1 | 1969/70 |
| FA Cup | 7 | 1903/04, 1933/34, 1955/56, 1968/69, 2010/11, 2018/19, 2022/23 |
| League Cup | 8 | 1969/70, 1975/76, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 |
| English Supercup | 6 | 1937/38, 1968/69, 1972/73, 2012/13, 2018/19, 2019/20 |
If you’re relatively young, you’ll probably know that Manchester City are a successful football club. They’ve won 33 major trophies, however 21 of those have been won after the year 2000. They’ve won seven different types of major honours, and last season added the coveted Champions League trophy to that collection after beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final.
Under manager Pep Guardiola’s guidance, the club has been incredible, winning the treble during the 2022/23 season (Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup). They’ve had some of the best players play for their club in recent times including Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Touré, David Silva and more, and they don’t look like slowing down any time soon.
They’ve been crowned English champions nine times, won the FA Cup seven times and the League Cup on eight occasions.
Manchester City Last Trophy Win
Manchester City won their last major trophy during the 2023/24 season when they won the UEFA Supercup following their debut Champions League win in the 2022/23 season.
3. Arsenal (48 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| English Champion | 13 | 1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1937/38, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1970/71, 1988/89, 1990/91, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04 |
| Cup Winners Cup | 1 | 1993/94 |
| FA Cup | 14 | 1929/30, 1935/36, 1949/50, 1970/71, 1978/79, 1992/93, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2016/17, 2019/20 |
| League Cup | 2 | 1986/87, 1992/93 |
| English Supercup | 17 | 1930/31, 1931/32, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1938/39, 1948/49, 1953/54, 1991/92, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2020/21, 2023/24 |
| Inter-cities Fairs Cup | 1 | 1969/70 |
The red half of north-London belongs to Arsenal, who rank third in our list of the most successful football clubs in England. “The Gunners”, have won an impressive 48 major titles, with the majority of these honours coming from domestic competitions. Their only European title came during the 1969/70 season, when they won the Inter-cities Fairs Cup. This makes them one of only three English clubs to win this competition, alongside Leeds United and Newcastle.
They’ve been crowned English champions 13 times, and even went unbeaten during the 2003/04 season, which led to them being given the nickname “The Invincibles”. On top of these titles, they’ve won the FA Cup on fourteen different occasions and the English Supercup seventeen times.
The London club has somewhat gone through a resurgence under Spanish manager Mikel Arteta, having come 2nd in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season. They’ll now want to build on this form and win more trophies, with the Premier League being their main aim.
Arsenal Last Trophy Win
Arsenal last won a major trophy in August 2023, beating Manchester City in the Community Shield. The match finished 1-1, but Arsenal won 4-1 on penalties to take the trophy from the treble winners.
2. Liverpool (66 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| European Cup | 2 | 2004/05, 2018/19 |
| European Champions Clubs Cup | 4 | 1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1983/84 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 | 2019/20 |
| English Champion | 19 | 1900/01, 1905/06, 1921/22, 1922/23, 1946/47, 1963/64, 1965/66, 1972/73, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90, 2019/20 |
| UEFA Supercup | 4 | 1977/78, 2001/02, 2005/06, 2019/20 |
| UEFA Cup | 3 | 1972/73, 1975/76, 2000/01 |
| FA Cup | 8 | 1964/65, 1973/74, 1985/86, 1988/89, 1991/92, 2000/01, 2005/06, 2021/22 |
| League Cup | 9 | 1980/81, 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1994/95, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2011/12, 2021/22 |
| English Supercup | 16 | 1964/65, 1965/66, 1966/67, 1974/75, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1979/80, 1980/81, 1982/33, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 2001/02, 2006/07, 2022/23 |
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The 2nd most successful English club of all time is Liverpool Football Club, who have won a mammoth 66 major trophies during its history. On the domestic stage, they’ve won nineteen English titles, sixteen English Supercups, eight FA Cups, nine League Cups and much more.
On the European stage, they are the most successful English club, having won 13 major trophies. Their latest European triumph came during the 2019/20 season, when they won the UEFA Supercup, beating fellow English side Chelsea on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The north-west club were experiencing a drought when it came to winning an English titles, having not won the competition for 30 years until they were crowned champions in the 2019/20 season. They convincingly won the title that year, winning 99 points from 38 matches, losing just 3 games.
Liverpool Last Trophy Win
Liverpool last won a major title in 2022, after beating Manchester City 3-1 in the Community Shield final.
1. Manchester United (67 Trophies)
| Trophy | Number of Wins | Years Won |
| European Cup | 2 | 1998/99, 2007/08 |
| European Champion Clubs Cup | 1 | 1967/68 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 | 2008/09 |
| English Champion | 20 | 1907/08, 1910/11, 1951/52, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1964/65, 1966/67, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2012/13 |
| UEFA Supercup | 1 | 1991/92 |
| Europa League | 1 | 2016/17 |
| Cup Winners Cup | 1 | 1990/91 |
| FA Cup | 12 | 1908/09, 1947/48, 1962/63, 1976/77, 1982/83, 1984/85, 1989/90, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1998/99, 2003/04, 2015/16 |
| League Cup | 6 | 1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2016/17, 2022/23 |
| English Supercup | 21 | 1908/09, 1911/12, 1952/53, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1977/78, 1983/84, 1990/91, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2003/04, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17 |
| Intercontinental Cup | 1 | 1999/00 |
The most successful English club in terms of the number of major titles won is Manchester United. The red half of Manchester has won the most English titles of all time, with 20 trophies to their name, and are one of only two clubs to have won the treble (English title, FA Cup, League Cup).
They’ve won a record amount of English Supercups with 21 honours, as well as winning the Intercontinental Cup during the 1999/00 season. This competition was when the winner of the Champions League played the winner of the Copa Libertadores, and Manchester United ended up being the only English club to ever win this title before the competition was abolished in 2004.
The club has been home to a host of elite footballers including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, George Best, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and many more. Although they enjoyed an incredible spell under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the club has failed to win an English title in 10 years, which by their standards, isn’t acceptable. Let’s see if they can change their fortunes soon.
Manchester United Last Trophy Win
Manchester United last won a major trophy in the 2022/23 after they beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the League Cup final. This was the first trophy won by Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.
Related Articles
- Which is Better: La Liga vs Premier League?
- 11 Best Premier League Transfers in 2022
- How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Football Club?
- Premier League Referee Salaries 2023/24
- Who Was Better: Lampard or Gerrard?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Has Won the Most Trophies: Man Utd or Liverpool?
If you include Liverpool’s Football League Super Cup win in 1985, Manchester United and Liverpool are tied on 67 major honours each.
Which English Club Has Won Most European Trophies?
Liverpool has won the most European trophies, with the following 13 titles:
– 2x European Cups
– 3x UEFA Cup
– 4x European Champions Clubs Cup
– 4x UEFA Supercup
