For over 150 years, football teams in England have been competing for trophies, starting with the first FA Cup in 1871. Seventeen years later, the Football League was established, and since then, clubs across the country have been striving to win silverware.
Over time, additional domestic cups were introduced, depending on a team’s position in the football pyramid. Then, in 1955, the European Cup was launched, later rebranded as the Champions League. This was followed by the creation of second and third-tier continental competitions, giving English clubs even more opportunities to chase glory. Today, there’s no shortage of prestigious honors for top-flight teams to aim for.
Some teams have won far more trophies than others, with the most successful clubs typically competing in the Premier League and lifting silverware regularly. Liverpool and Manchester United lead the way when it comes to the most top-flight honors in England, as their historic rivalry continues.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are several well-known clubs that, despite their reputation and history, have never won a major trophy. Happen.ng will take a closer look at some of these teams and explore how close they’ve come to achieving glory in their past.
11. Plymouth Argyle
Championship
Plymouth Argyle, a well-supported club affectionately known as The Pilgrims, has yet to win a major trophy since its formation in 1886. However, the club has enjoyed plenty of success over its 139-year history, including winning the third tier three times in 1958/59, 2003/04, and 2022/23 and securing victory in England’s fourth tier.
Despite these achievements, major silverware has remained elusive for the Devon-based side. Their closest brush with glory came in 1965 when, as a second-tier team, they reached the League Cup semi-final but were defeated by Leicester City.
In the FA Cup, Plymouth has reached the Round of 16 three times. Their first appearance ended in a narrow 1-0 loss to South Shields in the 1950s. Decades later, in the 1987/88 season, they faced a strong Manchester City side and fell 3-1. More recently, in the 2024/25 season, after a stunning victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool, they were knocked out by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Round of 16, dashing hopes of progressing further.
Despite the setbacks, Plymouth Argyle’s loyal fans remain hopeful that major success is just around the corner.
10. Millwall
Championship
Based in Bermondsey, south London, Millwall currently compete in the Championship and have won titles at every level of English football except the top flight. Their last season in Division One was in 1989/90, when they finished at the bottom of the table despite being led by Teddy Sheringham.
Despite their passionate fanbase, Millwall have never won a major trophy. Their closest moment of glory came in 2004 when they reached the FA Cup final, only to face a dominant Manchester United side. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in a 3-0 victory, leaving Millwall empty-handed.
The club’s highest finish in the top flight was 10th place in the First Division during the 1988/89 season. Since then, they’ve largely remained in the lower tiers of English football. However, as with any Championship side, they always have the potential for a memorable cup run.
9. Bristol City
Championship
Bristol City reached the FA Cup final in the 1908/09 season and finished as league runners-up just two years later. However, since those glory days, the club has struggled to match its past achievements and remains one of English football’s perennial nearly-men.
Despite their rich history, Bristol City have never played in the Premier League. They have, however, added some silverware to their cabinet, winning the EFL Trophy three times.
The closest the club has come to competing for major honors in recent years was during the 2017/18 season, when they defied the odds to reach the League Cup semi-finals. Along the way, they defeated four Premier League teams, including Manchester United, before ultimately losing 5-3 on aggregate to Manchester City. While their wait for major silverware continues, moments like these keep hope alive for the fans.
8. Reading
League One
While Reading have won the Championship title twice in the 2005/06 and 2011/12 seasons this achievement isn’t considered major silverware, meaning the Royals and their fans are still waiting for their chance to be removed from this list.
The club has also claimed titles in the third and fourth tiers of English football but has never won the top-flight league. Their last stint in the Premier League was during the 2012/13 season under Nigel Adkins, but they were relegated and haven’t returned since.
In the FA Cup, Reading came close to glory in the 2014/15 season, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Arsenal in extra time, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Additionally, Reading have made it to the League Cup’s Round of 16 on several occasions. Their 7-4 defeat to Portsmouth in 2007 remains one of the most thrilling matches in British football history, showcasing their potential for excitement even if major trophies have so far eluded them.
7. Brentford
Premier League
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Brentford’s rise to the Premier League is a true rags-to-riches tale. As recently as 2019, the Hounslow-based club didn’t even have a stadium that met Premier League standards. Fast forward to today, and they are preparing for their fourth consecutive season in the top flight, despite losing their star player, Ivan Toney, in the summer of 2024. Given their modest beginnings, Brentford’s trophy cabinet remains relatively empty.
Unlike others on this list, Brentford have never reached a major cup final. Their closest attempt came in the 2021 Carabao Cup, where they were knocked out by Tottenham in the semi-finals. After impressive victories over Southampton and Newcastle in earlier rounds, the defeat was a tough pill to swallow.
In terms of league success, their highest-ever finish in the top flight was 5th place, achieved way back in 1936. For now, the primary goal remains staying in the Premier League. Any additional achievements would simply be a bonus for the Bees and their loyal fans.
6. Bournemouth
Premier League
Bournemouth’s days as a small club trying to make a name for themselves in English football feel like a distant memory. Under Eddie Howe, who took charge in 2012, the south coast club transformed into a title-winning side—though their success in the lower leagues didn’t translate to trophies once they reached the Premier League in 2016. Their only notable silverware came in the 1983/84 season when they won the EFL Trophy with a 2-1 victory over Hull, though this isn’t considered major silverware.
Since becoming a regular presence in the top flight, Bournemouth have often made it to the quarter-finals of the League Cup. In the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, they were knocked out by Chelsea in back-to-back campaigns. Their FA Cup journey hasn’t been much luckier, with their best run coming in the 2020/21 season, where they reached the quarter-finals only to be comfortably defeated by rivals Southampton.
Despite these near-misses, there’s growing optimism among fans. After overcoming financial turmoil, including entering administration in February 2008, the club is now in the quarter-finals of a major competition, facing Manchester City. Many believe that, slowly but surely, Bournemouth’s time for glory is approaching.
5. Hull City
Championship
Since their formation in June 1904, Hull City have been regarded as a successful club in English football. Except for the 2020/21 season, they have consistently competed in the top two divisions since the 2005/06 campaign. However, despite their achievements, they have yet to win a major trophy, much to the disappointment of their loyal fans.
Nicknamed The Tigers, Hull City have won the third tier four times (1932/33, 1948/49, 1965/66, and 2020/21) but have never managed to secure a major honor in their long and eventful history, which has been filled with memorable moments, excitement, and occasional heartbreak.
Their closest brush with major silverware came just over a decade ago when they reached the FA Cup final in 2014. Facing Arsenal at Wembley, Hull took an early 2-0 lead, only for the Gunners to fight back and level the score. The match seemed destined for penalties until Aaron Ramsey’s 109th-minute winner shattered Hull’s dreams, leaving their fans heartbroken but proud of their team’s valiant effort.
4. Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
For newer fans, it might be surprising to learn that Brighton & Hove Albion haven’t always been a top-half Premier League team. In recent years, under managers like Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi, and now Fabian Hurzeler, they’ve established themselves as a strong contender for European qualification. However, much of their history has been spent in the lower leagues, making it difficult to compete for major trophies.
Brighton’s recent success has brought them closer to silverware. In the 2022/23 FA Cup, they reached the semi-finals and put up a strong fight against Manchester United. Despite dominating much of the game, they couldn’t find a breakthrough and eventually lost in a penalty shootout after Solly March missed his spot-kick. Had they advanced, they would have faced Manchester City, who went on to win the treble that season.
The closest Brighton have ever come to winning a major trophy was in the 1983 FA Cup final. They faced Manchester United in a thrilling match that ended 2-2, forcing a replay. Unfortunately, United won the replay 4-0, denying Brighton their chance at glory. To this day, that remains the club’s best opportunity to lift a top-flight trophy.
3. Watford
Championship
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Watford have had more near-misses with major silverware than any other team on this list. The club, located just outside London, has spent recent years yo-yoing between the Premier League and the Championship, with opportunities for major success feeling increasingly out of reach.
For the Hornets, two of their most heartbreaking moments came back-to-back. In 1983, they finished as runners-up in the First Division, behind Liverpool. The following year, they reached the FA Cup final, only to lose 2-0 to Everton. It was another painful near-miss for the club.
Watford had to wait 35 years for their next FA Cup final appearance, but the 2019 final against Manchester City ended in a record-equalling 6-0 defeat. While the final itself was disappointing, their journey to Wembley included a thrilling extra-time comeback victory over Wolves in the semi-final—a match that will forever be cherished by Watford fans. Despite their lack of major trophies, moments like these keep hope alive for the club and its supporters.
2. Fulham
Premier League
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In 2008, Fulham pulled off a miraculous escape from relegation, defying the odds to stay in the Premier League. The following season, they stunned everyone by qualifying for the Europa League. What began as a brief European adventure turned into an unforgettable journey.
Fulham finished second in their group, behind only Roma, and advanced past Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 32. Next up was Juventus in the Round of 16. After losing 3-1 in the first leg, their chances seemed slim. However, in a stunning comeback at Craven Cottage, Fulham overturned the deficit to win 5-4 on aggregate, with Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera leading the charge.
Their incredible run took them all the way to the final, where they faced Atletico Madrid, spearheaded by Diego Forlán and Sergio Agüero. Despite a valiant effort, Fulham fell just short, losing 2-1. This was their second major final defeat, having also lost the 1975 FA Cup final 2-0 to West Ham. While they didn’t lift the trophy, their 2010 Europa League campaign remains one of the most remarkable stories in the club’s history.
1. Crystal Palace
Premier League
Crystal Palace, much like Brighton, have experienced the heartbreak of losing an FA Cup final to Manchester United not once, but twice. Over the past decade, Palace have established themselves as a consistent Premier League side, with chairman Steve Parish emphasizing that top-flight stability remains the club’s priority.
While this focus has sometimes limited their progress in cup competitions, the Eagles have come agonizingly close to major silverware on two occasions, only to fall short against Manchester United. The first of these finals came in 1990, a match that famously saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job at United and set the stage for his legendary career. Palace were moments away from victory, but the final ended in a 3-3 draw, forcing a replay. Just five days later, United won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Lee Martin, leaving Palace devastated.
Twenty-six years later, in 2016, Palace had another chance to claim the FA Cup. They took the lead through Jason Puncheon, and manager Alan Pardew’s exuberant celebrations seemed justified—until United equalized just minutes later. With no replay this time, the match went to extra time. Despite United being reduced to ten men after Chris Smalling’s red card, Palace couldn’t capitalize. Jesse Lingard’s stunning volley sealed a 2-1 victory for United, handing them their first trophy in the post-Ferguson era and leaving Palace empty-handed once again.
These near-misses remain painful memories for Palace fans, but they also highlight the club’s potential to compete on the biggest stage.