Okay, to clear things up, I'm by no means suggesting that the following seven clubs get automatic admission to the top-flight. In fact, the teams that are in the Premier League, deserve to be there... obviously. So to the likes of Hull City, Swansea City, Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and beyond, congratulations you merit your position. This is just, if I had to start the Premier League from scratch, who I would choose to be the additional founding members.
Leeds United
Current league: Sky Bet Championship
Years in exile: 9
The lilywhites of West Yorkshire are simply one of the most famous clubs in the country. They've experienced great success in the past and have a fanbase to much, despite their now dwindling numbers at home. Leeds would bring a great deal of atmosphere to the Premier League with their passionate away support and would ignite the 'Roses derby' with Manchester United that the neutral has been robbed of for so many years.
Ipswich Town
Current league: Sky Bet Championship
Years in exile: 11
The former UEFA Cup champions from Suffolk are certainly unsung when this debate ever arouses. Despite spending the last 11 years rooted in the second tier, Town are still, in my humble opinion, a bigger club than their East Anglian rivals, Norwich City. The Tractor boys may not have the fanbase to match other clubs in this list but they are certainly worthy of gracing the top flight, having finished fifth as recently as the 2000-01 season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Current league: Sky Bet League One
Years in exile: 2
Woeful Wolves have only spent two seasons outside of the top-flight but now find themselves two promotions from returning. The West Midlands club have been in free fall since 2011 and should never have hit the low they're at now. Wolves remain a club with a sizeable fanbase and a glittering history, certainly worthy of returning to the Premier League sooner rather than later.
Sheffield Wednesday
Current league: Sky Bet Championship
Years in exile: 13
If we're talking underachievers, you can't look much further than Sheffield Wednesday. Historically, the club can boast eight major trophies and a huge fanbase in a city that shares two fairly big clubs. The Owls ought to reach the Premier League just to spare their long-suffering fans who have seen the third tier nearly as much as the second in the last decade.
I may be biased here but the Foxes are more than worthy of a place in the big time. Despite being steeped in a history of nearlies, Leicester City have always been slugging it out in the top two tiers, in fact, they have spent less time outside the top two divisions than any other club on this list. City have been knocking on the Premier League door since 2009 and have had several excruciating close calls, the fans of one of the Championship's four biggest fanbase deserve a return to the lucrative 90s.
Nottingham Forest
Current league: Sky Bet Championship
Years in exile: 15
A painful inclusion to say the least, but one I'd struggle to argue against. The once well-known Reds are former European champions, not that they like anyone to know and have a fair history even without the legendary Brian Clough's contribution. Forest also boast one of the best fanbases outside the top-flight with Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds and local 'non-rivals', Leicester City.
Derby County
Current league: Sky Bet Championship
Years in exile: 5
It would be nice to see all of the East Midlands big three back in the top-flight meaning the Rams needed a place on the list. A club that boasts a good history and a recent calamitous foray in the Premier League that I'm sure they would like to rectify. Recognition has to be given to Rams' fans for their loyalty at home during the dire 2008-09 season and beyond, even if their fans do share a travel sickness.