Football League Third Division
| Country |
England Wales |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 |
| Folded | 2004 |
| Number of teams | 24 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 (1992–2004) 3 (1920–1992) |
| Promotion to | Second Division |
| Relegation to |
Fourth Division (1958–1992) Football Conference (1992–2004) |
| Domestic cup(s) |
FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy |
| Last champions |
Doncaster Rovers (2003–04) |
| Most championships |
Plymouth Argyle (4 titles, including 2 in Third Division South) |
The Football League Third Division was the third tier of the English football league system in 1920–21 and again from 1958 until 1992. With the formation of the FA Premier League the division become the fourth tier. In 2004 following the formation of the Football League Championship, the division league was renamed Football League Two. On May 19 2016, it was announced that a new Football League 3 was to be set up, with promotion and relegation between the Premier League and the FL Championship staying the same. The new league is planned to begin in the 2019/20 season and no team in Football League 2 will be relegated in the 2018/19 season to the National League. Premier League B teams are also considered for the new league.
Most of these clubs were drawn from what was then the top division of the 1919–20 Southern Football League, in an expansion of the Football League south of Birmingham. As Cardiff City was long considered a potential entrant for the Second Division due to their FA Cup exploits and Southern League dominance, they were sent directly into the Second Division and Grimsby Town, last place in the Second Division for 1919–20, were relegated.
This league continued in 1921–22 as Football League Third Division South whilst the Football League Third Division North was formed with the Northern clubs, the two Divisions jointly forming the third tier.
Geographical separation was abolished in 1958 with the creation of the Football League Fourth Division.
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