London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and… Bristol?

Even though Bristol ranks as the eighth largest city in England, it has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League, but that might change soon.

Bristol City has qualified for the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League and is set to face Sheffield United in a two-legged semi-final. A potential final at Wembley against either Coventry or Sunderland could follow. Just these matches stand between them and a return to the top flight.

Emerging from the bottom of the league, “The Robins” are determined to surpass expectations.

Having been relegated from the First Division, the highest tier before the Premier League was formed, in the 1979/80 season, Bristol City has been striving for their return for 45 years.

Their nearest shot at the Premier League occurred during the 2007/08 season, when they fell short to Hull City in the Championship play-off final.

After spending ten consecutive seasons in the second tier, is Bristol City poised to end their long stretch away from the top flight?

Their city rivals, Bristol Rovers, have been in the third tier and occasionally lower since their relegation from the First Division in the 1992/93 season.

With a population of approximately 480,000, Bristol stands out as the largest English city yet to boast a Premier League team.

Doncaster is another city still waiting for Premier League representation.

In 2022, Doncaster celebrated as one of eight new towns marking the Queen’s “Platinum Jubilee”, but its 314,252 residents have seen little success in football lately.

Doncaster Rovers dropped to League 2 in the 2021/22 season and were eliminated in the play-off semi-finals the following season.

However, brighter days may lie ahead, with a return to Ligue 1 now secured, although dreams of the Premier League remain distant.

Another city in this category is Milton Keynes.

With a population nearing 300,000, Milton Keynes is among the fastest-growing cities in the UK.

However, the road to the Premier League is still long, as MK Dons were established in 2004 following Wimbledon’s relocation from London.

Though they are considered the successor to Wimbledon, which played in the Premier League, the club is viewed as new due to its controversial origins.

Since their establishment, they have participated in all leagues except the Premier League, and currently find themselves near the bottom of the table as the League Two season wraps up.

Other cities in a similar situation include Salford, Plymouth, Preston, York, and Peterborough.

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