Crewe Alexandra

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In 1889 the club joined the Football Alliance, and in 1892, when the Alliance was incorporated into the Football League, Crewe were placed in Division Two. In four seasons, Alex had to apply for re-election three times and in 1896 they lost their league status.

The club then competed in the Combination, Lancashire, Birmingham & District and Central Leagues before they returned to the Football League in 1921 as founder members of Division Three (North).

Crewe’s pre-war career was undistinguished, and when football resumed after the war Alex found themselves having to apply for re-election on three consecutive occasions between 1956 and 1958.

The club achieved its first promotion in 1963 but this was followed by immediate relegation. The same thing happened in 1968-69, and between 1978 and 1983 Crewe had to apply for re-election again four times in five seasons.

In 1983 Dario Gradi was appointed manager and he transformed the club from perennial underachievers to promotion contenders. In 1989, Alex were promoted to Division Three. Two seasons later they dropped back to Division Four but after failing in the playoffs in 1992 and 1993 they achieved automatic promotion in 1994.

Crewe quickly established themselves at the higher level and contested the playoffs over the next three seasons. In 1997 they were promoted to Division One (old Division Two).

They survived in the second flight for five seasons before relegation in 2002.

After bouncing back immediately they were relegated again in 2006.