The English Premier League was formed in 1997-98 to operate as the third tier of professional hockey in Great Britain. It was born when a number of teams from the British National League were forced out of that league due to increasing operating costs. These teams joined the organization known as the English League. Within that organization a number of teams played dual schedules; one schedule with all teams in the English League (including lower-budget teams) and the other schedule among themselves simply to play more games at a higher level of competition. These teams were known as the National Division within the English League.
In 1998-99 these teams were known as the Premier Division, still within the umbrella organization of the English League, but this division gradually established its own identity, becoming known as the Premier League (still under the English League organization) until finally becoming the English Premier League.
When the British National... [Click for more] League folded following the 2004-05 season, the English Premier League became the second tier of hockey in Great Britain.
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