These are the longest trophy droughts in English football (more than 40 years)

In the long history of English football, trophies serve not only as a yardstick of success but also as an emotional link between the team, players, and supporters. However, for some teams, the moment of winning a trophy seems like a far-off memory, with the protracted wait like an interminable night.

One such lengthy wait was at last broken when Newcastle United lifted the League Cup by defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, thereby ending a 56-year trophy drought. This triumph marks the first time they have won a major domestic championship since 1955—a full seventy years ago. For Newcastle United supporters, this triumph is surely greatly anticipated.

Local hero Dan Burn's header broke the deadlock as the game neared halftime, and the whole stadium burst in thunderous shouts. Alexander Isak scored a second not long after the second half began, grabbing the chance to widen the advantage to 2-0 after one of his earlier goals was declared offside.

Liverpool, still recovering from a devastating Champions League elimination by Paris Saint-Germain, got one back during stoppage time, but it was too late; Newcastle United eventually held their lead, savouring the taste of success once more after many years.

The significance of this triumph transcends the trophy itself; it also reflects the end of one era for the club and the start of a new one. For those supporters who have long suffered without a title, it offers consolation and hope.

Although Newcastle United's triumph is a welcome development, it also highlights those teams still suffering a lengthy trophy drought. Many English football teams have exceeded forty years without claiming a major trophy.

These teams have outstanding history and devoted supporters, but with time the glory of their medals has faded. This piece discusses the clubs currently suffering the longest major trophy droughts in English football.

19. Norwich City – Last major trophy: 1985 League Cup (40 years)

Noted in English football for their devoted supporters, Norwich City, the team known as the "Canaries," has a historic legacy. They won the League Cup in 1985 by beating Sunderland in the final, but it has been a full forty years since they last raised a significant trophy.

Despite regularly swinging between the Premier League and the Championship and churning out some quite outstanding players, Norwich have never been able to make it back to the podium.

18. Ipswich – Last major trophy: 1981 UEFA Cup (44 years)

Ipswich Town peaked in the 1970s and 1980s under the eminent coach Bobby Robson, beating the Dutch powerhouse AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup final in 1981 to lift the most important prize in the club's history.

With its exceptional players, that Ipswich team really made an impact on the supporters. But since then, the club's performance has progressively declined, going through relegation and protracted mediocrity.

Ipswich has yet to win another major prize, with 44 years separating its last title triumph.

17. Wolverhampton Wanderers – Last major trophy: 1980 League Cup (45 years)

Rich in history, Wolverhampton Wanderers, sometimes nicknamed "Wolves," are one of the founding clubs of English football. They were a powerhouse in English football during the 1950s and 1960s, winning multiple league and FA Cup trophies.

But Wolves have been on a protracted slide since their triumph over Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final in 1980 and have not managed to win another major prize in 45 years, despite various recoveries and even decent performances in the Premier League.

16. Southampton – Last major trophy: 1976 FA Cup (49 years)

Southampton, a southern coast English team, put up an amazing "David vs. Goliath" display in the 1976 FA Cup Final, defying the then-powerful Manchester United to win the only major trophy in the club's history.

However, since then they have never managed to win another major trophy, despite the illustrious Southampton academy producing top performers like Alan Shearer and remaining competitive in the Premier League. This wait which has lasted almost half a century, 49 years, make Southampton the Premier League team with the longest trophy drought.

15. Sunderland – Last major trophy: 1973 FA Cup (52 years)

Sunderland is a northeastern England team renowned for its passionate supporters and rich legacy. They produced a footballing upheaval in the 1973 FA Cup final, when they, then a second-tier team, beat the stalwart Leeds United to lift the FA Cup trophy.

That game is regarded as one of the best finals in FA Cup history.

Sunderland's fortunes have been turbulent since then, with several relegations and promotions as well as a wait that has already lasted 52 years without seeing another major title. Their supporters, yearning to relive the grandeur of the past, have maintained optimism for a comeback.

14. Stoke City – Last major trophy: 1972 League Cup (53 years)

Stoke City, the club known as the "Potters," beat Chelsea in the 1972 League Cup final to win their only major trophy in history.

Since then, though, they have never managed to win another major championship, despite spending a quite steady period in the Premier League and being well-known for their aggressive playing approach; this wait has lasted for 53 years.

13. Swindon Town – Last major trophy: 1969 League Cup (56 years)

Swindon, a team in the southwest of England, enjoyed a shock triumph in the 1969 League Cup final when they defied the then-powerful Arsenal to win the only major trophy in the club's history. That is considered one of the League Cup's biggest shocks of all time.

Swindon's performance has been erratic since then, though, and they have remained in lower divisions with no chance of winning another major prize. Like Newcastle United, they have waited 56 years for a trophy, but Newcastle's triumph indicates Swindon is now alone in this time frame.

12. West Bromwich Albion – Last major trophy: 1968 FA Cup (57 years)

West Bromwich, a club with a rich history, was a force in English football in the 1950s and 1960s, claiming many league and FA Cup titles. That West Bromwich team, comprising outstanding players, made a lasting impression on supporters and overcame Everton in the 1968 FA Cup final to claim their last major trophy.

Since then, they have never managed to win another plaque despite several Premier League promotions; this wait has lasted 57 years, one year longer than Newcastle United, who just broke their trophy drought.

11. Queens Park Rangers – Last major trophy: 1967 League Cup (58 years)

The London team Queens Park Rangers beat West Bromwich Albion in the 1967 League Cup final to win their sole major trophy in their history.

Although they have had some intriguing times, such as their comeback to the Premier League in the 2011-12 season, they have never been able to win another major championship trophy since then. QPR's drought has lasted 58 years, now ranking among the clubs with the longest wait in English football.

10. Burnley – Last major trophy: 1960 English top-flight champions (65 years)

Burnley, a Lancashire-based traditional club, was a force in English football throughout the first part of the twentieth century, having won the FA Cup in 1914 and the top-flight league title twice. 1960 was their last moment of glory as they triumphantly lifted the English top league trophy under the renowned coach Harry Potts.

Fans were profoundly enamoured with this Burnley team, which included outstanding players like Jimmy McIlroy and Ray Pointer.

Burnley's fortunes have changed since then, though, going through relegations and protracted stints in the second division.

Although they have since returned to the Premier League and displayed some competitiveness, they have never managed to win another major trophy. Burnley's last championship was 65 years ago, and their supporters now view that magnificent era as a far-off myth.

9. Bolton – Last major trophy: 1958 FA Cup (67 years)

Bolton, another historic Lancashire club, was among the elite in English football throughout the early 20th century, winning the FA Cup four times. Their last moment of lifting a major trophy came in 1958 when they won their fourth FA Cup by defeating Manchester United in the venerable final.

At the time, Bolton was a major player in English football, boasting renowned players like Nat Lofthouse.

But Bolton's performance has progressively dropped since then, going through several relegations and even getting demoted to the lower leagues.

Although they sporadically returned to the Premier League at the end of the last century and the start of this century and had some success in cup competitions, they have never been able to win a major trophy like the FA Cup again.

Their last title was 67 years ago, meaning most Bolton supporters today can only acknowledge the greatness of the club through history.

8. Blackpool – Last major trophy: 1953 FA Cup (72 years)

Blackpool is a well-known coastal town club and was once a vibrant team in English football around the middle of the 20th century. The 1953 FA Cup Final, a game known as the "Matthews Final" since Stanley Matthews was instrumental in enabling Blackpool to recover from two goals down to defeat Bolton, yielded their last major trophy.

This Blackpool team, which included legendary players like Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen, left a lasting impression on fans.

Blackpool's fortunes have been like a roller coaster since then, though, with several promotions and demotions as well as occasional descent to the fourth level of the league.

Despite their incredible return to the Premier League in 2010, Blackpool haven't won a trophy in 72 years, with their supporters having that summer of 1953 as their most treasured memory.

7. Charlton Athletic – Last major trophy: 1947 FA Cup (78 years)

The only major trophy Charlton Athletic, a southeast London team with great esteem in English football, has ever won is the FA Cup in 1947, which they claimed by beating Leeds United.

The club's performance has not returned to that level ever since. Long struggling in lesser divisions, they have never been able to win another major prize despite briefly returning to the Premier League.

Charlton Athletic’s last triumph was 78 years ago, a 1947 FA Cup success that has become a far-off and treasured memory for supporters.

6. Preston – Last major trophy: 1938 FA Cup (87 years)

Preston, a club with enormous significance in the annals of English football and one of the founding members of the English Football League, are the first double winners—simultaneously winning the league title and the FA Cup in 1889.

Their second FA Cup championship was won in 1938 when they overcame Huddersfield in the final to earn their last major trophy.

Preston was a formidable team in English football during that period, featuring illustrious players like Tom Finney.

Since then, their performance has progressively dropped, and they have long been unable to return to the top flight, let alone claim big trophies. With their last title being 87 years ago, Preston supporters can only find the grandeur of the past within the club museum.

5. Sheffield Wednesday – Last major trophy: 1935 FA Cup (90 years)

Sheffield Wednesday is one of the classic powerhouses in English football, having four top-flight league titles and three FA Cup victories. 

Their last big triumph came from the FA Cup in 1935, when they overcame West Bromwich Albion in the final to take home a third FA Cup trophy.

Sheffield Wednesday's performance has been erratic since then, with the club subjected to several relegations and have never returned to the top flight since 2000.

4. Cardiff City – Last major trophy: 1927 FA Cup (98 years)

The only non-English team to have won the FA Cup is Cardiff City, a Welsh team that made history by toppling the powerful Arsenal in the 1927 FA Cup final. That triumph marked a turning point for Welsh football generally as well as Cardiff City.

However, since then, Cardiff City has never managed to win any major prize, despite having some respectable performances in the English league system and twice being promoted to the Premier League in 2008 and 2013.

3. Huddersfield – Last major trophy: 1926 English top-flight champions (97 years)

Huddersfield were one of the English football clubs ruling in the 1920s and won the FA Cup in 1922 and the English Premier League title three times in succession (1924–1926). Their last major trophy came in 1926 when they completed a hat-trick of top-flight league titles.

Built by Herbert Chapman, this Huddersfield team was among English football's strongest at the time.

However, since then, Huddersfield's performance has significantly declined, leading to prolonged struggles in lower divisions.

Despite a sudden rise to the Premier League in 2017 and staying there for two seasons, Huddersfield have not been able to win another major trophy, with the greatness of the 1920s seeming like a tale from a century past for fans.

2. Sheffield United – Last major trophy: 1925 FA Cup (100 years)

Sheffield United, a team on a level with their local rivals Sheffield Wednesday, also has a long history, having once won the top-flight league title and lifted the FA Cup four times. Their fourth FA Cup triumph was obtained by defeating Cardiff City in the 1925 final, earning them their last major trophy.

Sheffield United, at the time, had a strong team with exceptional players like Billy Gillespie. Since then, though, their success has been erratic, swinging between lower and top-tier divisions, and they have never been able to claim another major trophy in 100 years.

1. Notts County – Last major trophy: 1894 FA Cup (131 years)

Nottingham-based Notts County is one of the oldest professional football teams in the world. Their only major trophy in history was won when they defeated Bolton in the FA Cup final in 1894.

Since then, Notts County has never matched that success, with protracted periods in lower divisions keeping them far from another silverware.

Notts County is the English team that has waited the longest for a major trophy—an incredible 131 years since their last success.