What Is The Championship Points Record For A Single Season, Which Team Takes The Honours And Will It Be Beaten?

The Championship points record for a single season is a truly remarkable feat. Only six clubs have ever sured the 100+ barrier. 

Unsurprisingly, all of those teams went on to win England’s second tier. Although success in the Premier League the following campaign was rare, dominating the Championship is something fans and players can always saviour.

Such seasons can often be the defining moment in a club’s history. In fact, it would be extremely difficult for a team to go and replicate such a fine achievement.

With this season’s title race between Sheffield United, Leeds and Burnley really beginning to hot up, anyone of the three could earn a place in the top ten of the Championship points record list over a single campaign.

Here at SportsCasting we decided to look back at the ten sides who have earned footballing eternity in the EFL. Scroll down to take a look at the awesome ten who can boast the Championship points record for a single season.

10. Bolton – 98 Points (1996/97)

Bolton romped to the title in the 1996/97 season, finishing an incredible 18 points above runners-up Barnsley. The Trotters had John McGinley to thank for most of that cushion after he netted 27 goals.

Such a tally saw McGinley finish as the league’s top scorer. The former Scotland international netted 30 times in all competitions as Colin Todd’s side returned to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

9. Portsmouth – 98 Points (2002/03)

In the 2002/03 season, Portsmouth had a playing squad that was littered with top-class talent. Manager Harry Redknapp persuaded a plethora of Premier League stars to drop down a division which clearly paid off.

The league’s top scorer was Pompey’s very own Svetoslav Todorov who netted 26 times in a hugely successful season for the South Coast side. Paul Merson, Yakubu and Tim Sherwood were all plying their trade at Fratton Park that year.

8. Man City – 99 Points – (2001/02)

‘Feed the Goat and he will score!’ Man City’s very own legend scored 28 league goals on the way to helping the Cityzens to the title in 2001/02. And by some distance, too.

Kevin Keegan was at the helm as the Sky Blues finished 10 points ahead of runners-up West Brom. More notably, City scored 108 goals which was 47 more than the Baggies.

7. Wolves – 99 Points – (2017/18)

If Portsmouth had a ridiculously good squad in 2002/03, Wolves boasted a side that was easily ready for the top-half of the Premier League. The 2017/18 season was when the likes of Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota came to fruition.

The Old Gold’s Championship points record was perhaps fairly unremarkable with the players at their disposal. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men just missed out on clearing the 100+ barrier on the last day of the season.

6. Burnley – 101 Points (2022/23)

The first of the Championship points record holders who managed to claim centurion status. Burnley were absolutely lethal on their way to the title in 2022/23.

Mirroring Man City, the Clarets finished a sizable 10 points clear of closest challengers Sheffield United. Vincent Kompany’s side only lost three times all season and just once at home as they racked up 101 points.

5. Fulham – 101 Points (2000/01)

Moneybags Fulham cruised to the title in 2001 thanks mainly to the brilliance of Louis Saha. The former star netted 27 goals as the Cottagers returned to the top-flight for the first time since the 1960s.

The West Londoners also had the likes of future UEFA Champions League winner Steve Finnan in their ranks as they tied up the league with five games to spare.

4. Leicester – 102 Points (2013/14)

The mind still boggles that two years after their 2013/14 Championship title success, Leicester would be crowned Premier League winners. Much of that squad was in fact present in this one.

Wes Morgan, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel and a certain Jamie Vardy were all part of Nigel Pearson’s Arsenal who racked up an impressive 102 points.

3. Newcastle – 102 Points – (2009/10)

Newcastle may be the rank outsiders with the best football betting sites in the UK for Sunday’s League Cup final, but they proved the bookies correct in 2009/10 when they slayed all before them in the Championship.

Andy Carroll became at St James’ Park hero with the likes of Kevin Nolan and Shola Ameobi proving they were far too hot for Championship opposition players to handle.

2. Sunderland – 105 Points (1998/99)

After their Charlton heartbreak in the greatest Championship playoff final a year previous, Sunderland didn’t take any chances when they romped to the title in 1998/99.

Manager Peter Reid had an attack that was truly envious. Michael Bridges, Danny Dichio, Niall Quinn and Stadium of Light legend Kevin Phillips delighted the Mackems faithful on a weekly basis.

1. Reading – 106 Points (2005/06)

The greatest Championship points record goes to Reading. It’s very unlikely the Royals tally of 106 will ever be beaten, but it can’t be completely ruled out.

In 2005/06, the Berkshire boys were simply unplayable. Steve Coppell’s side lost just twice all season and ed 31 wins from their 46 league games. In honour, they have a Reading ‘106 Club’ suite to their heroic achievement.

Top Ten Championship Points Record Holders