Top 10 Most Successful Clubs in England |

The debate as to which club is most successful in England is, of course, passionately argued by the fiercely loyal football fans.

To some, it’s about history and tradition; to others, recent success in modern competitions may be the ultimate barometer.

Whatever the era, though, the currency of success in football has always been trophies. It is winning silverware that propels clubs into the annals of greatness and cements their place in the folklore of football.

To settle the argument or at least throw some more fuel to the fire-we’ve taken a closer look at the major honors won by English football clubs over the years.

But what counts as a “major” trophy?

For this ranking, we’ve considered victories in seven recognized competitions: the First Division-now the Premier League-FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup/Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup, and the UEFA Conference League.

Competitions like the Community Shield or FIFA Club World Cup do not make the grade, as they are often considered secondary honors.

With that said, here are the top 10 most successful clubs in English football history, ranked by major trophies won.

Contents

1. Liverpool – 46 Major Trophies

1. Liverpool – 46 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 19
FA Cup: 8
League Cup: 10
European Cup/Champions League: 6
UEFA Cup/Europa League: 3

Once kings of England and Europe, the rich history of Liverpool is interspersed with periods of domestic and continental domination.

This club has been built into a powerhouse in football under the guidance of great managers like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and more recently Jürgen Klopp.

It is under Klopp’s recent tenure that Liverpool have once again fired up their charge for the silverware.

The German tactician engineered their 2020 Premier League title, the first league title in 30 years, alongside a Champions League win in 2019.

Not to be overlooked, is the dramatic domestic double in 2022, with Liverpool winning both the FA Cup and the League Cup this year and rekindling memories of their glory days in the 70s and 80s.

2. Manchester United – 44 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 20
FA Cup: 13
League Cup: 6
European Cup/Champions League: 3
UEFA Cup/Europa League: 1
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1

The team that follows closely after is Manchester United, which is second to Liverpool with a difference of just two trophies.

Much of its modern success, the club owes to Sir Alex Ferguson, whose tenure lasting twenty years saw the Red Devils sweep through English football like a juggernaut. United’s 13 Premier League titles under Ferguson form the backbone of their domestic dominance.

Put together, the Red Devils have 20 league titles to their name- one ahead of Liverpool and three Champions League victories on the continent.

United’s success predates way before Ferguson, winning the FA Cup and becoming the first English team to win the European Cup back in 1968 under Sir Matt Busby.

It has been a bit more of an uphill battle since then, but United took the 2024 FA Cup over arch-nemesis Manchester City to keep themselves well in contention.

3. Arsenal – 30 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 13
FA Cup: 14
League Cup: 2
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1

While Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League since that unforgettable ‘Invincibles’ season back in 2003/04, the Gunners are still considered one of England’s most successful clubs.

That undefeated campaign is still widely regarded as one of the greatest moments the league has ever produced, with Arsène Wenger managing a crop of players that included Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.

Since then, Arsenal has mostly been a force in the FA Cup, winning the trophy a record 14 times.

Wenger’s retirement didn’t slow down their FA Cup success, with current manager Mikel Arteta adding to the club’s tally in 2020. The Emirates may not have seen a league title in decades, but Arsenal’s rich cup history ensures they sit comfortably in the top three.

4. Manchester City – 27 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 10
FA Cup: 7
League Cup: 8
European Cup/Champions League: 1
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1

One of the most incredible modern stories in football is Manchester City’s rise from mid-table obscurity to a dominant force across both English and European football.

City has picked up 27 major trophies, but the majority has come in the last decade, with their 2023 treble marking the top point of success for the club under Pep Guardiola.

The first Champions League title in 2023 sealed City’s status as a global footballing powerhouse.

Domestically, they have won the Premier League on eight occasions, with Guardiola’s revolutionary tactics transforming them into one of the most consistent sides in English football history.

The meteoric rise of the club might have come late in their history, but the Citizens are definitely here to stay the trophy count does look set to keep climbing.

5. Chelsea – 25 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 6
FA Cup: 8
League Cup: 5
European Cup/Champions League: 2
UEFA Cup/Europa League: 2
Cup Winners’ Cup: 2

When Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea in 2003, few could have predicted the transformation that would come upon this club.

From a team that enjoyed reasonable success, Chelsea would soon become one of the richest and most successful clubs in the world. The arrival of José Mourinho in 2004 ushered in a golden era, with successive titles of the Premier League and domestic cup wins.

The West London club has won six league titles, eight FA Cups, and five League Cups.

Equally enviable has been their European success, winning two Champions League titles in 2012 and 2021, respectively, in addition to two Europa League wins.

Chelsea’s fans are hopeful that the spending spree under the ownership of Todd Boehly will keep bringing in more and more silverware.

6. Aston Villa – 20 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 7
FA Cup: 7
League Cup: 5
European Cup/Champions League: 1

Aston Villa is not usually thought of as a club that is known for success in recent times, but judging by their haul of trophies, they must have been really good.

The Villans’ greatest claim to fame is undoubtedly winning the European Cup back in 1982, drawing them level with Manchester City for success in Europe.

Villa also won seven First Division titles and seven FA Cups to make them one of the grand old clubs of English football.

Unai Emery’s current Villa side is showing signs of resurgence, and fans will be hoping the club can add to its impressive tally in the coming years.

7. Tottenham Hotspur – 17 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 2
FA Cup: 8
League Cup: 4
UEFA Cup/Europa League: 2
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1

Spurs might be the butt of jokes from fans of other clubs because of their recent dearth of silverware, but Tottenham have a rich history to attest for themselves.

Spurs have not won a major trophy since the League Cup in 2008, but their past triumphs-most notably in the FA Cup-keep them inside that top 10.

These eight FA Cup wins form the backbone of the Spurs’ silverware, with their two UEFA Cups giving them some European flavor as well.

With a new stadium and a top-class squad, Tottenham is a club desperate for that breakthrough to win a trophy.

8. Everton – 15 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 9
FA Cup: 5
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1

Any proud history Everton is trying to cling onto has somewhat been clouded over by their struggles as of late.

Once one of England’s biggest, the major trophies account to 15: nine First Division titles and five FA Cups. While their last major triumph came in the FA Cup in 1995, Everton has a storied past, particularly during the 1980s when they were a force to be reckoned with.

With new investment and a new stadium in the pipeline, Everton fans are hoping the club can turn back the clock to former glory.

9. Blackburn Rovers – 10 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 3
FA Cup: 6
League Cup: 1

While Blackburn Rovers are no longer a regular Premier League feature, they are still one of the most successful English clubs due to their 10 major trophies.

The Rovers were the first not-named-Manchester United to win the Premier League in 1995. They did this with Alan Shearer leading the charge.

A lot of Blackburn’s success came in the early days of English football, as they did manage to win six First Division titles and a total of six FA Cups.

Although they are now plying their trade in the Championship, Rovers’ history remains intact.

10. Newcastle United – 10 Major Trophies

First Division/Premier League: 4
FA Cup: 6

The Magpies round it off with their nine major trophies. Newcastle’s success came mainly in the early 1900s, coupled with four league titles and six FA Cup victories.

Despite a large and loyal fanbase, Newcastle has failed to convert that into silverware in the modern era, though recent investment from their new Saudi Arabian owners has given hope for a brighter future.

With Eddie Howe at the helm, this has undoubtedly been Newcastle’s resurgence into relevance after securing a Champions League spot in 2023.