OK, I'm bored, so I'm going to do a quick study.

Teams promoted from the third tier by season, and in brackets, their Championship/Division One finish the following season:

2007-2008
Swansea City (8th)
Nottingham Forest (19th)
Doncaster Rovers (14th)

2006-2007
Scunthorpe United (23rd - relegated)
Bristol City (4th)
Blackpool (19th)

2005-2006
Southend United (22nd - relegated)
Colchester United (10th)
Barnsley (20th)

2004-2005
Luton Town (10th)
Hull City (18th)
Sheffield Wednesday (19th)

2003-2004
Plymouth Argyle (17th)
Queens Park Rangers (11th)
Brighton & Hove Albion (20th)

2002-2003
Wigan Athletic (7th)
Crewe Alexandra (18th)
Cardiff City (13th)

2001-2002
Brighton & Hove Albion (23rd - relegated)
Reading (4th)
Stoke City (21st)

2000-2001
Millwall (4th)
Rotherham United (21st)
Walsall (18th)

So, as you can see, not very many go straight back down, and it's not that unusual for a promoted side to challenge for, or even make the play-offs.

There are quite a few sides there who haven't been back to the third tier since coming up, too.

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot, Nov 1, 19:29:39