| The FA Premier League Partnership, also known as | | | | competition. In 1992, the FA Premier League was |
| UK soccer, was first founded in 1992 and is a league | | | | formed as a limited company and operated out of an |
| that is reserved for the top UK soccer clubs in the | | | | office at the former headquarters of the Football |
| English system. This distinction makes it England's | | | | Association. |
| primary soccer competition. Each year, 20 teams | | | | The 1992-93 season marked the first of many |
| compete for the league championship but, oddly | | | | competitions for the new face of UK soccer. Due to |
| enough, only four teams have been crowned. Why? | | | | the rules governed by the FIFA, the number of |
| Because these four teams have dominated UK | | | | teams was reduced to twenty in 1995. Today, the |
| soccer since it's inception. These include Arsenal, | | | | FA Premier League is a corporation that is owned by |
| Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Manchester United. Of | | | | the 20 member clubs of UK soccer. Each team is |
| these four UK soccer clubs, Manchester United has | | | | considered to be a shareholder and has the |
| been the most successful after having won the | | | | opportunity to vote on important issues, including rule |
| championship title on eight occasions. The current | | | | changes and contracts. Each team has the power to |
| league champions are Chelsea, who clinched their | | | | elect a Chairman, Chief Executive and Board of |
| second consecutive title during the 2005-06 season. | | | | Directors to oversee their day-to-day activities. The |
| The sport of UK soccer hasn't always been as | | | | Football Association is not directly involved with these |
| popular as it is today. In fact, the 1980s marked a | | | | operations, but it does have veto power during team |
| particularly low point for the sport. Stadiums were | | | | elections. |
| crumbling, which left spectators facing poor facilities. | | | | Today, a typical UK soccer season consists of 20 |
| As attendance dropped and conditions worsened, UK | | | | teams competing against one another on two |
| soccer was banned from European competition. By | | | | separate occasions. One half of the season is |
| the time the 1990s rolled around, things were | | | | dedicated to home games and the second half, which |
| beginning to change and the ban formerly preventing | | | | repeats the same schedule as the first, entails each |
| English teams from competing was lifted. | | | | team playing their competitors for a second time at a |
| At the conclusion of the 1991 season, a proposal for | | | | different location. For instance, the first half of a |
| a new league was presented and was one that | | | | season may be comprised of home games and the |
| would bring additional revenue into the sport. The | | | | second half would be played on the competitors |
| Founder Members Agreement, which was signed in | | | | home turf. At the conclusion of each season, the |
| July 1991, established the basic foundation for the FA | | | | champions are named according to points awarded |
| Premier League. The new division was given a license | | | | throughout the season. If a tie occurs, a one match |
| to negotiate broadcast and sponsorship agreements, | | | | playoff is held to determine which top four teams will |
| which was a necessary part of successful | | | | qualify for the UEFA Champions League. |