The Premier League is just a few weeks away, and we, the fans just can’t keep our cool! With a flurry of signings everywhere, everyone is confident and anxious to see how their club performs. This yearly circle has been going on since over a century.

The Premier League though, since its inception back in 1992, has changed the footballing world as we know it. It has added an element of glamour without losing its shine in quality. Money started flowing in, and so did all the international players who wanted to showcase their talents at England. Because this was the fabled land where you’d be rewarded handsomely if you please the fans.

Here’s Essentially Sports counting down to one of the most competitive leagues in the world, starting with the first ever Premier League. Looking back to 1992-93, with the stats and figures.

 THE INCEPTION

The Premier League as we know it was then called the F.A. Premier League as it had no title sponsors for its first season. In all of its actuality, it was very close to the previous First Division of the Football League, but with a catchier title. It worked its charms as the FA raked over £305 million for the rights to televise the league for 5 years. This kind of a deal was unprecedented, and it was immediately understood that the league meant serious business.

Unlike the present system, the Premier League back then consisted of 22 teams, with the last 3 teams being relegated. This was so because they followed the previously held First Division. It meant each team would play 21 other teams, two times a year, making it a total of 42 matches excluding the European ones!

TRANSFERS – PLAYERS AND MANAGERS

The new system brought about a huge change in the whole setup. With money ushering in for teams, it meant they could spend much more, and hence have better talents playing for them. The stadiums gave better revenue, the telecasting was more profitable.

One of the biggest changes in the league was the buy of Alan Shearer, arguably the greatest striker English football has ever seen by Blackburn Rovers from Southampton for around £3.3 million. The million mark meant the player was quality back then, as can be seen from other high profile transfers with the likes of David Rocastle to Leeds from Arsenal and Teddy Sheringham who moved on from Nottingham Forrest, which had achieved European glory an year back, to play for Tottenham Hotspur. Also mid-way in the season, the later-so-famous Eric Cantona made a shocking move from fierce rivals Leeds United to Manchester United.

The managerial changes weren’t all so drastic, though. The only manager to be sacked mid-season was Chelsea’s Ian Porterfield, thanks to poor results. To replace him, temporarily the club Chairman replaced him, and then the ex-Chelsea player David Webb was put on post for the rest of the season. Many others though, left at the end of the season, but that’s for the next story!

THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS

The season saw Manchester United return to its former glory and as we now know, retain it for quite some time to come. They had won the league after 26 years and was a big achievement for them. They had a 10-point lead over the second placed Aston Villa. This meant that Manchester United had qualified for the UEFA Champions League first round while Aston Villa and Norwich City (which came third) qualified for the UEFA Cup, which is the past equivalent of the Europa League.  Aston Villa was cruising until the end of the season where they lost their momentum, giving away the League 3 games before it actually ended. A funny fact: Norwich City was leading the table at Christmas, but had a negative goal difference!

Nottingham Forrest, on the other hand, was one of the worst affected by the change. After losing key players like Teddy Sheringham and Des Walker, they failed to live up to their previous levels, of winning the UEFA Champions League. They were one of those teams who couldn’t stand due to the lack of quality left. Next to go were the newly entered Middlesbrough and lastly it was Crystal Palace.

STATISTICS

Top Goal Scorer: Teddy Sheringham(22)

First Premier League Goal: Brian Deane (Sheffield United vs Manchester United)

Player of the Season: Not Applicable as the award did not exist back then.

Most Assists: Eric Cantona(16)

Manager of the Season: Not Applicable as the award did not exist back then.

Most Clean Sheets: Peter Schmeichel(18)

Least Goals conceded:  Peter Schmeichel(31)