The Football League has existed for 128 years and at its peak in the early 1990s was the home of 93 clubs. Since 1992, the establishment of the Premier League has reduced the league to the three divisions between the second and fourth tier of English football. Regardless of its current status, the long history of the Football League means it has been home to some of the most successful teams in world history. Teams like Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have lifted the Football League trophy and such teams are synonymous with the image of the world's oldest football league. Not all teams which have played in the Football League have the same prestige as the above teams, however. Even in the days before automatic relegation for the bottom teams in the fourth tier, teams joined and left professional football quickly, meaning that the teams which make up the Football League have changed exponentially since the first season in 1882. With this has come the rise, and fall, of some obscure names. Grab a detailed map of the UK and a magnifying glass to examine the smallest teams which have ever played in the English Football League...
10. Fleetwood Town
With a population of around 25,000, Fleetwood is currently the smallest town with a Football League team. Located in West Lancashire, only a few miles from Blackpool, Fleetwood Town have enjoyed six promotions since their re-establishment in 1997. Bankrolled by BES Utilities director Andrew Pilley, the Cod Army went non league side from a team with average attendances of around 100 to a side which finished the 2014-15 season 10th in League One. Fleetwood, who play at the Highbury Stadium, which has a capacity of 5,327 have been in the Football League since 2012. Fleetwood have a their aims set high and there is no evidence that their stay in the League will be a short one.
