3 of the Longest Active Trophy Droughts Amongst Premier League Clubs

Newcastle United ending their 70-year domestic trophy drought last night with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the EFL Cup final was a moment of sheer jubilation for their fans. It was a long-awaited triumph that ended decades of near misses, heartbreak, and unfulfilled potential.

Watching the Magpies finally lift silverware inspired this article, as it raises the question – who are the teams still waiting to break their own agonizing trophy droughts? While some clubs have found glory in recent years, others have been stuck in an extended barren spell, with fans desperately yearning for the taste of success. Here, we take a look at three of the longest active trophy droughts in English football, highlighting the history, the near misses, and whether these teams are any closer to ending their wait. 

1) West Ham United – 45 Years and Counting (Last Domestic Trophy: 1980 FA Cup) 

While West Ham United ended their long wait for a European trophy by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023, their domestic drought remains painfully intact. Their last domestic silverware dates all the way back to 1980, when they won the FA Cup, defeating Arsenal 1-0 thanks to a Trevor Brooking header. 

Since then, the Hammers have had several strong sides but have failed to clinch domestic honors. They reached the 2006 FA Cup final, where they came agonizingly close to victory against Liverpool, only to lose in a dramatic penalty shootout after Steven Gerrard’s last-minute equalizer. 

Despite their lack of domestic success, recent years have seen West Ham emerge as a competitive force. Under David Moyes, they built a resilient side featuring the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paquetá, and Mohammed Kudus. Their triumph in the Europa Conference League has given the club a taste of silverware, and with consistent performances in the Premier League and domestic cups, they may not be too far away from ending their domestic trophy drought. 

2) Everton – 30 Years and Counting (Last Trophy: 1995 FA Cup) 

Everton is one of the grand old clubs of English football, boasting nine league titles and a proud history. However, their last trophy came back in 1995 when they won the FA Cup, stunning Manchester United with a 1-0 victory at Wembley thanks to Paul Rideout’s goal. Since then, it has been nothing but frustration for the Toffees. They have reached a few cup finals, including the 2009 FA Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to Chelsea despite taking the lead in the first minute through Louis Saha. However, success has remained elusive. 

In recent years, Everton have struggled even to be competitive at the top level, frequently flirting with relegation rather than silverware. Poor managerial appointments, questionable transfer policies, and ownership instability have left them in a precarious position. With David Moyes now leading the club, the primary focus seems to be survival rather than trophy ambitions. However, with the right structure and investment, Everton have the fanbase and history to rise again. The question is, how much longer must their supporters wait? 

3) Tottenham Hotspur – 17 Years and Counting (Last Trophy: 2008 League Cup) 

Spurs are a club with a rich history, a dedicated fanbase, and a reputation for playing exciting football. However, the North London side has developed an unwanted tag over the years – serial underachievers. Their last taste of silverware came in 2008 when Juande Ramos’ side lifted the League Cup, defeating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley thanks to a Jonathan Woodgate extra-time winner. 

Since then, Tottenham have come painfully close to adding to their trophy cabinet on multiple occasions. The most notable near-miss was the 2019 Champions League final, where they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid. Domestically, they have reached multiple cup finals and semi-finals, only to fall short time and again. The 2021 League Cup final defeat to Manchester City was another bitter pill to swallow, as they lost 1-0 despite holding out for most of the game. 

Despite their drought, optimism has grown in recent seasons thanks to Tottenham establishing themselves as one of the “big six” clubs in England. However, the 2024/25 season has been a complete write-off, with Spurs on course for their worst Premier League finish in recent memory. Despite this, Spurs could still end the season with a trophy, as they are in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. Having said that, until they lift a trophy, the question will linger – can Spurs finally shed the “nearly men” tag and bring silverware back to North London?