The Premier League was first tabled as a suggestion at the end of the 1990-91 season.
By 1992-93, the new, breakaway league was formed after the First Division clubs had announced their resignation from the Football League.
A then-British record broadcasting agreement worth £304 million had been reached before the inaugural Premier League campaign.
Disagreement between the clubs meant there was no title sponsor for the first season, but the 22 teams still had much larger budgets than in previous years.
Prior to the first Premier League season, Southampton sold Alan Shearer to Blackburn Rovers for a British record transfer fee of over £3.3 million.
Teddy Sheringham and David Rocastle were among a group of other players transferred for north of £2 million.
Who Won The First Premier League?
Manchester United won the first Premier League title in 1992-93.
The Red Devils finished 10 points ahead of second-placed Aston Villa and 12 points clear of third-placed Norwich City. Blackburn Rovers and QPR finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Having finished as runners-up in 1991-92, Premier League odds made United one of the favourites for the title in 1992-93.
Led by the incomparable Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils were given one of the shortest football betting prices for the title for the next two decades.
United’s first title of the Ferguson era was powered by the bold decision to sign Eric Cantona from archrivals Leeds in November. Cantona was talismanic at Old Trafford until 1997, collecting four league titles.
Paul Parker, who played for United from 1991 until 1996, described the process of signing Cantona.
“Steve Bruce and Pally [Gary Pallister] said good things about him to the boss because when they were up against him at Leeds and the boss listened. He really believed what they were saying about players and sometimes you have to listen to players. Good managers, top managers listen.”
On Cantona’s impact, Parker added, “Manchester United's first title was predominantly about Eric Cantona.
“There were [good] players there but sometimes you need that maverick, someone who can play off the cuff, do something different. He raised everyone, got the fans really believing that it was going to be that season.
“No other player in that era could have walked into a football club and did what he did.”
How They celebrated
In an era before mobile phones were commonplace and without live streaming, United’s celebrations were much less organised than players are accustomed to in the 2020s.
Then-captain Steve Bruce explained how the night unfolded.
“Sky rang me on the landline and asked if they could come and film me. They had a satellite truck on the street outside — satellite dishes and aerials everywhere. I thought I’d better ring the manager because it was all over the telly.
“He told me that we could have a couple of drinks, but to make sure everyone was done for 10. This was about 7pm, but I think he’d had a few drinks himself after he’d finished playing golf. If he’d told me off, I was going to say, ‘You said 10am!’.”
Lee Sharpe, having been sat at home with his family, was unable to contact any of his teammates on the landlines.
His dad drove him to Old Trafford where he was mobbed by thousands of jubilant fans. Eventually rescued by security, he was a late arrival at Bruce’s house.
All these years later, Bruce is still missing some key information from Bryan Robson.
“We had a great time and it was a great time but there was so much pressure on us. Man United not being champions for 26 years… incredible. My neighbours came to the party — Janice and Phil from across the road.
“They brought a bottle and joined right in. Everyone brought drinks, it was spontaneous. There were probably 60 at the party. Every player came.
“I went to bed at two, maybe three. I was woken up when I heard this clinking noise — bottles being put away. I thought, ‘Surely someone is still not at it’. I went downstairs. It was 7am.
“Bryan Robson, the captain of England no less, was tidying up with his wife Denise.
“Robbo was mopping, Denise doing the dishes. They’d slept in the spare room, though I’m not sure they went to bed. I need to ask them.”
When Was The Premier League Founded?
A Super League featuring the biggest clubs in England had been suggested since the 1980s.
In 1990, managing director of London Weekend Television Greg Dyke had a meeting with Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham about the prospect of a breakaway league.
The main reasoning was to keep the broadcast revenue with the teams in the top division. Under the previous arrangement, money from broadcasters was split across all the teams in the Football League.
There was bidding processes and legal proceedings. It was a major undertaking to get the Premier League off the ground.
From a meeting in 1990, the league was finally formed on 27th May 1992. The 1992-93 campaign was the first Premier League season with 22 teams competing.
Which Teams Were In The First Premier League Season?
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Arsenal
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Aston Villa
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Blackburn Rovers
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Chelsea
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Coventry City
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Crystal Palace
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Everton
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Ipswich Town
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Leeds United
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Liverpool
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Manchester City
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Manchester United
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Middlesbrough
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Norwich City
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Nottingham Forest
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Oldham Athletic
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Queens Park Rangers
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Sheffield United
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Sheffield Wednesday
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Southampton
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Tottenham
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Wimbledon
Which Club Has Won The Most Premier League Titles?
Manchester United have won the most Premier League titles. All 13 of the Red Devils’ Premier League titles were won under the leadership of Alex Ferguson.
After winning the first edition of the Premier League in 1992-93, United won three of the next four.
They completed threepeats from 1998-2001 and 2006-09. Ferguson led the Red Devils to their 13th Premier League title in 2012-13.
Premier League Winners List
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2023/24 - Manchester City
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2022/23 - Manchester City
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2021/22 - Manchester City
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2020/21 - Manchester City
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2019/20 - Liverpool
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2018/19 - Manchester City
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2017/18 - Manchester City
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2016/17 - Chelsea
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2015/16 - Leicester City
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2014/15 - Chelsea
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2013/14 - Manchester City
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2012/13 - Manchester United
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2011/12 - Manchester City
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2010/11 - Manchester United
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2009/10 - Chelsea
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2008/09 - Manchester United
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2007/08 - Manchester United
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2006/07 - Manchester United
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2005/06 - Chelsea
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2004/05 - Chelsea
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2003/04 - Arsenal
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2002/03 - Manchester United
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2001/02 - Arsenal
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2000/01 - Manchester United
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1999/00 - Manchester United
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1998/99 - Manchester United
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1997/98 - Arsenal
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1996/97 - Manchester United
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1995/96 - Manchester United
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1994/95 - Blackburn Rovers
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1993/94 - Manchester United
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1992/93 - Manchester United
*Credit for the photo in this article belongs to Adobe*
