Second season syndrome is the now-common phrase that is used to describe a downturn in fortunes for a football club in its second season after its promotion to the Premier League of English football – particularly if the first season after promotion had brought a strong finish. The syndrome actually predates the Premiership, and could be seen in the cases of Swansea City (1981–1983) and Millwall (1988–1990) in the old First Division. Second season syndrome has also been used to describe other sports where a successful first season has taken place, followed by a poor second season straight after as well as individual sportspersons. In the US, this event (more commonly applied to athletes than teams) is known as a sophomore slump. Second season syndrome is best explained by regression to the