From 1889 until 1992, the Football League First Division was the highest division overall of organized football in England.

This ended with the creation in 1992 of the Premier League, when the teams then making up the original First Division decided to split the administration of their division away from the control of The Football League, largely to capitalize upon their status as the biggest and most wealthy clubs in the country. From the 1992-1993 to the 2003-2004 season, the Football League First Division was the highest division of The Football League, but was now effectively the second highest division in the overall English football league system.

The First Division was renamed for commercial reasons as the Football League Championship prior to the start of the 2004-05 season. However, it remains as the second tier of English football.

Previous First Division champions

See List of winners of English Football League Championship and predecessors

English football competitions (defunct) | The Football League

Football League First Division | First Division | Football League First Division | English Division One | Englannin 1. divisioona