# List of Stoke City F.C. seasons

Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The club was formed in 1863 and played their first competitive match in November 1883 in the FA Cup. They were founder members of the Football League in 1888, in which they struggled finishing bottom in the first two seasons and failed to gain re-election for the 1890–91 meaning that they played in the Football Alliance. They won the Alliance and re-joined the league. Stoke continued to struggle financially and in 1908 the club was liquidated and had to resign from the league. They re-branded as Stoke F.C. (1908) and joined the Birmingham & District League and Southern Football League before regaining their league status for the 1919–20 season.
As a Football League team Stoke have won two divisional titles at the second and third levels of the English football league system. They have been promoted eight times and suffered relegation on seven occasions. They played in the 2011 FA Cup Final, losing to Manchester City and their best achievement is in the League Cup which they beat Chelsea in the 1972 Final. As of the end of the 2023–24 season, the club has spent 62 seasons in the top tier of the English football league system, 47 in the second and 8 in the third.

## History

Stoke were formed as Stoke Ramblers F.C. in 1863 they soon dropped the 'Ramblers' name and simply became known as Stoke F.C., and they played in friendlies against local and national sides as well as competing in the Staffordshire Senior Cup which was a prestigious competition at the time. Stoke entered the FA Cup in the 1883–84 season and their first competitive fixture was against Manchester which they lost 2–1. They continued with this type of fixture list until in 1888 the Football League was founded and Stoke became founder members. In the first league season Stoke finished bottom of the table and again took bottom spot in the second season leading to the club being replaced by Sunderland. Stoke joined the Football Alliance and claimed the title and were re-elected back into the league. Stoke continued to struggle and had a number of narrow escapes from relegation in the early 1900s. Eventually the club's fortunes ran out and they were relegated to the Second Division in the 1906–07. The next season Stoke's finances dried up and the club was liquidated and they had to resign from the league. They were saved by a number of local business men and incredibly they were able to apply for re-election but they failed to gain enough votes and had to enter the Birmingham & District League and Southern Football League.
Stoke re-entered the League after World War I and during the 1920s the club added 'City' to their name and had the highs of being promoted to the First Division and the lows of being relegated to the Third Division North. Despite the divisional changes Stoke brought through a number of promising youth players most notably that of Stanley Matthews. Stoke went on to gain promotion to the First Division in the 1932–33 season and went on to finished in 4th place in the 1935–36 season, their highest position until that point. Immediately after World War II Stoke were involved in a title race and they had the chance to become champions of England for the first time on the final day of the 1946–47 season they needed to beat Sheffield United to claim the title, but they lost 2–1 and ended up finishing 4th for the second time.
Relegation to the Second Division was suffered in the 1952–53 season and it took Stoke ten season to get back into the First Division with Tony Waddington helping Stoke to gain promotion. He had a successful time at Stoke leading the club to their first major trophy in 1972, winning the Football League Cup as well as reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup and competed in European football on two occasions. However Stoke's Victoria Ground was damaged by gale-force winds in January 1976 and the club had to sell their best players to cover the cost for the repairs. This eventually led to Stoke being relegated the following 1976–77 season, Stoke soon made a return though gaining promotion in 1978–79 season. In the 1984–85 season Stoke experienced a terrible season finishing bottom after picking up a record low of 17 points. Five seasons of Second Division obscurity followed before the club slipped into the third tier for the second time.
Lou Macari got Stoke out of the Third Division at the second time of asking and guided the club to the 1995–96 play-offs but lost out to Leicester City. Stoke moved to the all-seater Britannia Stadium in 1997 but were relegated to the third tier in the first season at the new ground. Four seasons in Division Two followed during which time the club had won their second Football League Trophy and entered the play-offs three times eventually gaining promotion at the third attempt. Tony Pulis became Stoke manager in November 2002 and lead the club to safety on the final day of the 2002–03 season. He was sacked at the end of the 2004–05 season but was re-appointed by returning chairman Peter Coates in July 2006. He led the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2007–08 season and has since helped the club to establish themselves back in English football's top tier. Stoke reached the FA Cup Final for the first time in the 2010–11 season losing 1–0 to Manchester City. On reaching the final Stoke qualified for the UEFA Europa League where they reached the last 32, losing out to Valencia. Pulis was replaced by Mark Hughes in May 2013 and he guided the club to their highest Premier League position of 9th in three successive seasons 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16. Decline set in under Hughes in 2016–17 which led to relegation in 2017–18.

## Seasons

| Season | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe / Other | Europe / Other | Top goalscorer(s) | Top goalscorer(s) |
| Season | Division | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe / Other | Europe / Other | Player(s) | Goals |
| 1883–84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | R1 | — | — | — | Edward Johnson | 1 |
| 1884–85 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | R1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1885–86 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | R1 | — | — | — | Jimmy Sayer & George Shutt | 1 |
| 1886–87 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | R2 | — | — | — | Alf Edge | 6 |
| 1887–88 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | R5 | — | — | — | Wally Owen | 3 |
| 1888–89 | The Football League | 22 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 26 | 51 | 12 | 12th | QR1 | — | — | — | Bob McSkimming | 6 |
| 1889–90 | The Football League ↓ | 22 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 27 | 69 | 10 | 12th | QF | — | — | — | Freddie Gee | 5 |
| 1890–91 | Football Alliance ↑ | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 57 | 39 | 33 | 1st | QF | — | — | — | Alf Edge | 12 |
| 1891–92 | The Football League | 26 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 38 | 61 | 14 | 13th | QF | — | — | — | Joe Schofield | 9 |
| 1892–93 | First Division | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 58 | 48 | 29 | 7th | R1 | — | — | — | Joe Schofield | 13 |
| 1893–94 | First Division | 30 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 65 | 79 | 29 | 11th | R2 | — | United Counties League | GS | Joe Schofield | 15 |
| 1894–95 | First Division | 30 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 50 | 67 | 24 | 14th | R2 | — | — | — | Joe Schofield | 13 |
| 1895–96 | First Division | 30 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 56 | 47 | 30 | 6th | QF | — | — | — | Tommy Hyslop | 17 |
| 1896–97 | First Division | 30 | 11 | 3 | 16 | 48 | 59 | 25 | 13th | R2 | — | — | — | William Maxwell | 13 |
| 1897–98 | First Division | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 35 | 55 | 24 | 16th | R2 | — | — | — | William Maxwell | 12 |
| 1898–99 | First Division | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 47 | 52 | 33 | 12th | SF | — | — | — | William Maxwell | 16 |
| 1899–1900 | First Division | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 47 | 45 | 34 | 9th | R1 | — | — | — | William Maxwell | 11 |
| 1900–01 | First Division | 34 | 11 | 5 | 18 | 46 | 57 | 27 | 16th | R1 | — | — | — | William Maxwell | 16 |
| 1901–02 | First Division | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 45 | 55 | 31 | 16th | QF | — | — | — | Mart Watkins | 15 |
| 1902–03 | First Division | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 46 | 38 | 37 | 6th | QF | — | — | — | Mart Watkins | 12 |
| 1903–04 | First Division | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 54 | 57 | 27 | 16th | R1 | — | — | — | Arthur Capes | 11 |
| 1904–05 | First Division | 34 | 13 | 4 | 17 | 40 | 58 | 30 | 12th | R2 | — | — | — | Fred Rouse | 12 |
| 1905–06 | First Division | 38 | 16 | 7 | 15 | 54 | 55 | 39 | 10th | R2 | — | — | — | Jack Hall | 11 |
| 1906–07 | First Division ↓ | 38 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 41 | 64 | 26 | 20th | R1 | — | — | — | John Chalmers | 11 |
| 1907–08 | Second Division ↓ | 38 | 16 | 5 | 17 | 57 | 52 | 37 | 10th | QF | — | — | — | Tom Holford | 12 |
| 1908–09 | Birmingham & District League | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 71 | 64 | 31 | 8th | R1 | — | — | — | William Davies | 14 |
| 1909–10 | Birmingham & District League | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 82 | 52 | 37 | 7th | R1 | — | Birmingham League Cup | R3 | Amos Baddeley | 24 |
| 1909–10 | Southern League Division Two | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 9 | 20 | 1st | R1 | — | Birmingham League Cup | R3 | Arthur Griffiths | 36 |
| 1910–11 | Birmingham & District League | 34 | 24 | 2 | 8 | 95 | 48 | 50 | 1st | R1 | — | — | — | Jack Peart | 31 |
| 1910–11 | Southern League Division Two ↑ | 22 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 72 | 21 | 35 | 2nd | R1 | — | — | — | Alf Smith | 31 |
| 1911–12 | Southern League Division One | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 51 | 63 | 36 | 10th | QR5 | — | — | — | William Smith | 9 |
| 1912–13 | Southern League Division One ↓ | 38 | 10 | 4 | 24 | 39 | 75 | 24 | 20th | R1 | — | — | — | Alf Smith | 9 |
| 1913–14 | Southern League Division Two | 30 | 19 | 2 | 9 | 71 | 34 | 40 | 5th | R1 | — | — | — | Alf Smith | 16 |
| 1914–15 | Southern League Division Two ↑ | 24 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 62 | 15 | 38 | 1st | QR3 | — | — | — | Arthur Watkin | 24 |
| 1915–19 | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War | No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War |
| 1919–20 | Second Division | 42 | 18 | 6 | 18 | 60 | 54 | 42 | 10th | R1 | — | — | — | David Brown | 13 |
| 1920–21 | Second Division | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 46 | 56 | 35 | 20th | R1 | — | — | — | Arthur Watkin | 15 |
| 1921–22 | Second Division ↑ | 42 | 18 | 16 | 8 | 60 | 44 | 52 | 2nd | R3 | — | — | — | Jimmy Broad | 25 |
| 1922–23 | First Division ↓ | 42 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 47 | 67 | 30 | 21st | R2 | — | — | — | Jimmy Broad | 23 |
| 1923–24 | Second Division | 42 | 14 | 18 | 10 | 44 | 42 | 46 | 6th | R1 | — | — | — | Jimmy Broad | 14 |
| 1924–25 | Second Division | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 34 | 46 | 35 | 20th | R1 | — | — | — | Harry Davies | 8 |
| 1925–26 | Second Division ↓ | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 54 | 77 | 32 | 21st | R4 | — | — | — | Bobby Archibald | 10 |
| 1926–27 | Third Division North ↑ | 42 | 27 | 9 | 6 | 92 | 40 | 63 | 1st | R1 | — | — | — | Charlie Wilson | 25 |
| 1927–28 | Second Division | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 78 | 59 | 52 | 5th | QF | — | — | — | Charlie Wilson | 32 |
| 1928–29 | Second Division | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 74 | 51 | 46 | 6th | R3 | — | — | — | Charlie Wilson | 22 |
| 1929–30 | Second Division | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 74 | 72 | 40 | 11th | R3 | — | — | — | Charlie Wilson | 20 |
| 1930–31 | Second Division | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 64 | 71 | 44 | 11th | R3 | — | — | — | Wilf Kirkham | 14 |
| 1931–32 | Second Division | 42 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 69 | 48 | 52 | 3rd | R5 | — | — | — | Joe Mawson | 20 |
| 1932–33 | Second Division ↑ | 42 | 25 | 6 | 11 | 78 | 39 | 56 | 1st | R4 | — | — | — | Joe Mawson | 16 |
| 1933–34 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 58 | 71 | 41 | 12th | QF | — | — | — | Tommy Sale | 15 |
| 1934–35 | First Division | 42 | 18 | 6 | 18 | 71 | 70 | 42 | 10th | R3 | — | — | — | Tommy Sale | 24 |
| 1935–36 | First Division | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 57 | 57 | 47 | 4th | R5 | — | — | — | Tommy Sale | 14 |
| 1936–37 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 72 | 57 | 42 | 10th | R4 | — | — | — | Freddie Steele | 33 |
| 1937–38 | First Division | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 58 | 59 | 38 | 17th | R4 | — | — | — | Freddie Steele | 15 |
| 1938–39 | First Division | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 71 | 68 | 46 | 7th | R3 | — | — | — | Freddie Steele | 26 |
| 1939–40 | First Division | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 8th | — | — | — | — | Tommy Sale | 3 |
| 1939–46 | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War | No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War |
| 1945–46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | QF | — | — | — | Freddie Steele | 7 |
| 1946–47 | First Division | 42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 90 | 53 | 55 | 4th | R5 | — | — | — | Freddie Steele | 29 |
| 1947–48 | First Division | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 41 | 55 | 38 | 15th | R4 | — | — | — | Freddie Steele | 10 |
| 1948–49 | First Division | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 66 | 68 | 41 | 11th | R5 | — | — | — | Frank Bowyer | 21 |
| 1949–50 | First Division | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 45 | 75 | 34 | 19th | R3 | — | — | — | Frank Bowyer | 15 |
| 1950–51 | First Division | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 50 | 59 | 40 | 13th | R5 | — | — | — | Frank Bowyer | 16 |
| 1951–52 | First Division | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 49 | 88 | 31 | 20th | R4 | — | — | — | Sammy Smyth | 12 |
| 1952–53 | First Division ↓ | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 53 | 66 | 34 | 21st | R4 | — | — | — | Harry Oscroft | 10 |
| 1953–54 | Second Division | 42 | 12 | 17 | 13 | 71 | 60 | 41 | 11th | R4 | — | — | — | Frank Bowyer | 14 |
| 1954–55 | Second Division | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 69 | 46 | 52 | 5th | R4 | — | — | — | Harry Oscroft | 21 |
| 1955–56 | Second Division | 42 | 20 | 4 | 18 | 71 | 62 | 44 | 13th | R5 | — | — | — | Frank BowyerJohnny King | 18 |
| 1956–57 | Second Division | 42 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 83 | 58 | 48 | 5th | R3 | — | — | — | Tim Coleman | 26 |
| 1957–58 | Second Division | 42 | 18 | 6 | 18 | 75 | 73 | 42 | 11th | R5 | — | — | — | George Kelly | 22 |
| 1958–59 | Second Division | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 72 | 58 | 49 | 5th | R4 | — | — | — | Dennis Wilshaw | 18 |
| 1959–60 | Second Division | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 66 | 83 | 35 | 17th | R3 | — | — | — | Frank Bowyer | 14 |
| 1960–61 | Second Division | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 51 | 59 | 36 | 18th | R5 | R2 | — | — | Johnny King | 12 |
| 1961–62 | Second Division | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 55 | 57 | 42 | 8th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Tommy Thompson | 16 |
| 1962–63 | Second Division ↑ | 42 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 73 | 50 | 52 | 1st | R3 | R3 | — | — | Dennis Viollet | 23 |
| 1963–64 | First Division | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 77 | 78 | 38 | 17th | R5 | RU | — | — | John Ritchie | 18 |
| 1964–65 | First Division | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 67 | 66 | 42 | 11th | R4 | R4 | — | — | John Ritchie | 25 |
| 1965–66 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 65 | 64 | 42 | 10th | R3 | R4 | — | — | John Ritchie | 13 |
| 1966–67 | First Division | 42 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 63 | 58 | 41 | 12th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Peter Dobing | 19 |
| 1967–68 | First Division | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 50 | 73 | 35 | 18th | R4 | QF | — | — | Harry BurrowsPeter Dobing | 15 |
| 1968–69 | First Division | 42 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 40 | 63 | 33 | 19th | R5 | R2 | — | — | David Herd | 9 |
| 1969–70 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 56 | 52 | 45 | 9th | R4 | R2 | — | — | John RitchieHarry Burrows | 14 |
| 1970–71 | First Division | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 44 | 48 | 37 | 13th | SF | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup Texaco Cup | GS R1 | John Ritchie | 19 |
| 1971–72 | First Division | 42 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 39 | 56 | 35 | 17th | SF | W | Anglo-Italian Cup Texaco Cup | GS R2 | John Ritchie | 18 |
| 1972–73 | First Division | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 61 | 56 | 38 | 15th | R3 | R4 | UEFA Cup | R1 | Jimmy Greenhoff | 20 |
| 1973–74 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 54 | 42 | 46 | 5th | R3 | R4 | Texaco Cup Watney Cup | R1W | John Ritchie | 15 |
| 1974–75 | First Division | 42 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 64 | 48 | 49 | 5th | R3 | R4 | UEFA Cup | R1 | Jimmy Greenhoff | 15 |
| 1975–76 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 48 | 50 | 41 | 12th | R5 | R2 | — | — | Jimmy Greenhoff | 13 |
| 1976–77 | First Division ↓ | 42 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 28 | 51 | 34 | 21st | R3 | R3 | — | — | Terry ConroyGarth Crooks | 6 |
| 1977–78 | Second Division | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 53 | 49 | 42 | 7th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Garth Crooks | 19 |
| 1978–79 | Second Division ↑ | 42 | 20 | 16 | 6 | 58 | 31 | 56 | 3rd | R3 | QF | — | — | Brendan O'Callaghan | 16 |
| 1979–80 | First Division | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 44 | 58 | 36 | 18th | R3 | R3 | — | — | Garth Crooks | 15 |
| 1980–81 | First Division | 42 | 12 | 18 | 12 | 51 | 60 | 42 | 11th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Lee Chapman | 17 |
| 1981–82 | First Division | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 44 | 63 | 44 | 18th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Lee Chapman | 17 |
| 1982–83 | First Division | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 53 | 64 | 57 | 13th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Mickey Thomas | 12 |
| 1983–84 | First Division | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 44 | 63 | 50 | 18th | R3 | R4 | — | — | Paul Maguire | 10 |
| 1984–85 | First Division ↓ | 42 | 3 | 8 | 31 | 24 | 91 | 17 | 22nd | R3 | R2 | — | — | Ian Painter | 9 |
| 1985–86 | Second Division | 42 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 48 | 50 | 57 | 10th | R3 | R3 | Full Members' Cup | R3 | Keith Bertschin | 21 |
| 1986–87 | Second Division | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 63 | 53 | 58 | 8th | R5 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | R1 | Carl Saunders | 19 |
| 1987–88 | Second Division | 44 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 50 | 57 | 62 | 11th | R3 | R4 | Full Members' Cup | R4 | Phil HeathGraham Shaw | 8 |
| 1988–89 | Second Division | 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 57 | 72 | 59 | 13th | R4 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | R1 | Dave BamberPeter Beagrie | 9 |
| 1989–90 | Second Division ↓ | 46 | 6 | 19 | 21 | 35 | 63 | 37 | 24th | R3 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | R3 | Wayne Biggins | 10 |
| 1990–91 | Third Division | 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 55 | 59 | 60 | 14th | R2 | R2 | League Trophy | R2 | Wayne Biggins | 12 |
| 1991–92 | Third Division | 46 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 69 | 49 | 77 | 4th | R1 | R2 | League Trophy | W | Wayne Biggins | 24 |
| 1992–93 | Second Division ↑ | 46 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 73 | 34 | 93 | 1st | R1 | R2 | League Trophy | SF | Mark Stein | 30 |
| 1993–94 | First Division | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 57 | 59 | 67 | 10th | R4 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | GS | Dave Regis | 13 |
| 1994–95 | First Division | 46 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 50 | 53 | 63 | 11th | R3 | R3 | Anglo-Italian Cup | SF | Paul Peschisolido | 15 |
| 1995–96 | First Division | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 60 | 49 | 73 | 4th | R3 | R3 | Anglo-Italian Cup | GS | Mike Sheron | 15 |
| 1996–97 | First Division | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 51 | 57 | 64 | 12th | R3 | R3 | — | — | Mike Sheron | 23 |
| 1997–98 | First Division ↓ | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 44 | 74 | 46 | 23rd | R3 | R3 | — | — | Peter Thorne | 16 |
| 1998–99 | Second Division | 46 | 21 | 6 | 19 | 59 | 63 | 69 | 8th | R2 | R2 | League Trophy | R2 | Graham Kavanagh | 13 |
| 1999–2000 | Second Division | 46 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 68 | 42 | 82 | 6th | R1 | R2 | League Trophy | W | Peter Thorne | 30 |
| 2000–01 | Second Division | 46 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 74 | 49 | 77 | 5th | R1 | R4 | League Trophy | QF | Peter Thorne | 19 |
| 2001–02 | Second Division ↑ | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 67 | 40 | 80 | 5th | R3 | R1 | League Trophy | R1 | Chris Iwelumo | 12 |
| 2002–03 | First Division | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 45 | 69 | 50 | 21st | R5 | R1 | — | — | Andy CookeChris Iwelumo | 7 |
| 2003–04 | First Division | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 58 | 55 | 66 | 11th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Ade AkinbiyiGifton Noel-Williams | 10 |
| 2004–05 | Championship | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 36 | 38 | 61 | 12th | R3 | R1 | — | — | Gifton Noel-Williams | 13 |
| 2005–06 | Championship | 46 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 54 | 63 | 58 | 13th | R5 | R1 | — | — | Paul Gallagher | 12 |
| 2006–07 | Championship | 46 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 62 | 41 | 73 | 8th | R4 | R1 | — | — | Ricardo Fuller | 11 |
| 2007–08 | Championship ↑ | 46 | 21 | 16 | 9 | 69 | 55 | 79 | 2nd | R3 | R1 | — | — | Ricardo FullerLiam Lawrence | 15 |
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 38 | 55 | 45 | 12th | R3 | QF | — | — | Ricardo Fuller | 11 |
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 34 | 48 | 47 | 11th | QF | R4 | — | — | Ricardo Fuller | 8 |
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | 46 | 48 | 46 | 13th | RU | R4 | — | — | Kenwyne JonesJonathan Walters | 12 |
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 36 | 53 | 45 | 14th | QF | R4 | UEFA Europa League | R32 | Peter Crouch | 14 |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 34 | 45 | 42 | 13th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Jonathan Walters | 11 |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 45 | 52 | 50 | 9th | R4 | QF | — | — | Peter Crouch | 10 |
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 48 | 45 | 54 | 9th | R5 | R4 | — | — | Mame Biram Diouf | 12 |
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 41 | 55 | 51 | 9th | R4 | SF | — | — | Marko Arnautović | 12 |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 56 | 44 | 13th | R3 | R3 | — | — | Peter Crouch | 10 |
| 2017–18 | Premier League ↓ | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 35 | 68 | 33 | 19th | R3 | R3 | — | — | Xherdan Shaqiri | 8 |
| 2018–19 | Championship | 46 | 11 | 22 | 13 | 45 | 52 | 55 | 16th | R3 | R3 | — | — | Benik Afobe | 9 |
| 2019–20 | Championship | 46 | 16 | 8 | 22 | 62 | 68 | 56 | 15th | R3 | R4 | — | — | Sam Clucas | 11 |
| 2020–21 | Championship | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 50 | 52 | 60 | 14th | R3 | QF | — | — | Nick Powell | 12 |
| 2021–22 | Championship | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 57 | 52 | 62 | 14th | R5 | R4 | — | — | Jacob Brown | 14 |
| 2022–23 | Championship | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 55 | 54 | 53 | 16th | R5 | R1 | — | — | Jacob BrownTyrese Campbell | 9 |
| 2023–24 | Championship | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 49 | 60 | 56 | 17th | R3 | R3 | — | — | André Vidigal | 7 |