The Premier League is celebrated for its quality of football, of course, but its wider mass appeal has always been its level of competitiveness that has always been present in the division.
Sure, the Centurions of Manchester City or The Invincibles of Arsenal stand out in history. However, fans love to look back at the teams that entertained them over a short to mid-period, the ones with unique players, unorthodox tactics and incredible goals and moments.
These teams didn’t compete for the league title, yet they left an indelible mark for so many reasons. Some regularly disposed of the big boys on home turf while others had cup triumphs and even ventured to the far reaches of European competitions.
Join us to celebrate the entertainers, the exciting and truly unforgettable as we delve into the top 10 best Premier League cult sides.
11
Middlesbrough (1995-97)
Bryan Robson’s Middlesbrough boasted some incredible talent, led by the mesmerising Juninho. Other notable names include Fabrizio Ravanelli and Emerson as they entertained and enjoyed contrasting highs and lows.
Ravanelli stunned on his debut with a hat-trick against Liverpool, while Juninho dazzled week after week as they reached both domestic finals. They lost both before being relegated on the final day due to a three-point deduction for calling off a game against Blackburn – a sad ending for a joyous side.
10
Blackburn Rovers (2004–08)
Mark Hughes inherited a relegation scrap but managed to build one of the division’s most awkward sides, who loved to score screamers. Tugay and Morten Gamst Pedersen both arrowed unstoppable strikes whilst the duo of Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba were powerful generals at the back.
Blackburn finished sixth in 2005-06 and reached three cup semi-finals in three seasons, before Roque Santa Cruz became the cult hero of Hughes’ final campaign. Throw in the likes of David Bentley, Benni McCarthy and Shefki Kuqi for good measure too.
9
Wigan Athletic (2005–13)
Paul Jewell’s newcomers briefly sat second in their first top-flight season but reached the 2006 League Cup final and brought a fresh energy to the top-flight across an eight-year period. Under Roberto Martínez, Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia kept Wigan afloat before the club’s defining day in 2013.
Ben Watson’s stoppage-time header beat Man City in the FA Cup final, and days later, Wigan became the first club to win the trophy and be relegated in the same season. Who can forget the likes of Amir Zaki (and that goal at Anfield), Leighton Baines, Antonio Valencia, Paul Scharner and even Jimmy Bullard for the Lancashire side?
8
Fulham (2007–11)
Roy Hodgson arrived in December 2007 with Fulham facing relegation. Within three years, they were in a European final.
Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff and Brede Hangeland led a Europa League run that knocked out holders Shakhtar Donetsk and German champions Wolfsburg.
Its peak came at Craven Cottage, where Clint Dempsey’s chip completed a 4-1 win over Juventus to overturn a first-leg deficit. Atlético Madrid edged the final 2-1 after extra time.
Always a difficult away day, fans rejoiced over the likes of Bryan Ruiz, Zoltan Gera, Danny Murphy and Mark Schwarzer.
7
Swansea City (2011–14)
The Premier League’s first Welsh club arrived with a style few expected. Brendan Rodgers’ possession game, built around Joe Allen and Leon Britton, earned the nickname ‘Swansealona’ and they were an absolute breath of fresh air.
Michael Laudrup then took it further. Michu, a £2million signing from Rayo Vallecano, scored 22 goals in all competitions, and Swansea thrashed Bradford City 5-0 to win the 2013 League Cup, the club’s first major trophy, in its centenary year.
Classic throwback players include Danny Graham, Nathan Dyer, Scott Sinclair and Wayne Routledge, to name a few.
6
Portsmouth (2003–08)
Yakubu helped fire Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth into the top flight, and Pedro Mendes’ stunning double against Man City sparked the great escape of 2006. Then came the stars. David James, Sol Campbell, Benjani, Kevin Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari and Jermain Defoe helped Pompey finish eighth in 2007-08 and win the FA Cup.
They won at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals before Kanu’s goal against Cardiff City at Wembley secured the club’s first major trophy since 1950. In the bright blue, they produced many a great game with Fratton Park also witnessing the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Hermann Hreidarsson, Matty Taylor and Gary O’Neil.
Nothing encapsulates them as a free-flowing side more than the goals of Taylor, who became a cult hero for his magical efforts.
5
Wolves (2018–21)
Few promoted sides have carried so much talent — and that squad has aged ridiculously well. Nuno Espírito Santo’s Portuguese-flavoured Wolves featured Rúben Neves, João Moutinho and the late Diogo Jota, with Raúl Jiménez leading the line. Future Champions League winner Vitinha also spent a season on loan.
Wolves finished seventh in back-to-back seasons after promotion, reached the 2019 FA Cup semi-finals and made the Europa League quarter-finals. Adama Traoré’s double at the Etihad in a famous away win over a prime Pep Guardiola side summed them up: pace, power and no fear.
A nightmare to play, the Midlands club, for a brief window, were a real threat and one to be feared and one we miss seeing in full flow.
4
Stoke City (2008–13)
Tony Pulis’ Stoke turned the Britannia Stadium into a fortress, populated by impossible-to-defend set pieces and throw-ins, giants at both ends of the pitch and an unwavering energy to make it as awkward as humanely possible for visiting sides.
Rory Delap’s missile-like long throws fed Ricardo Fuller and Ryan Shawcross, and Arsenal, in particular, hated it. Delap’s throws created both goals in a 2-1 win over Arsène Wenger’s side in 2008, and Arsenal won just once in their first eight Premier League visits.
The Britannia even gave football its ultimate test: could the world’s best do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke? Pulis’ side also reached the 2011 FA Cup final, while Peter Crouch’s volley against Man City remains a Premier League classic.
3
Wimbledon (1992–2000)
The Crazy Gang were unlike anything we’d seen. It’s true that their biggest achievement predates the Premier League era – their FA Cup victory came in 1988 – but Joe Kinnear’s side, featuring Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu and Robbie Earle, paired direct football with infamous dressing-room pranks.
Wimbledon finished sixth in 1993-94 and reached both domestic cup semi-finals in 1996-97, despite crowds as low as 3,039 at Selhurst Park, a Premier League record low. Relegation in 2000 preceded the club’s move to Milton Keynes, and fans formed AFC Wimbledon in response.
2
Leeds United (1999–2002)
David O’Leary’s Leeds were young, fearless and thrilling. Harry Kewell, Alan Smith and Jonathan Woodgate rose through the ranks, while Lee Bowyer, Mark Viduka and Rio Ferdinand added bite and star power.
Leeds finished third and reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1999-2000, then made the Champions League semi-finals a year later. Viduka also scored four in a 4-3 win over Liverpool that season. Financial collapse followed, with relegation in 2004.
Looking back, this was a team that had an incredible mix of youth, quality and a desire to win. They were also a thrill to watch, mixing achievements with flair. It makes them a true cult-hero side.
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