1888-1889
The brain-child of Scotsman William
McGregor, this is the competition which provided
the inspiration for
league football in this country.
FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. PRESTON NORTH END 22
18 4 0
74 15 40
2. ASTON VILLA 22
12 5 5
61 43 29
3. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 22
12 4 6
50 37 28
4. BLACKBURN ROVERS 22
10 6 6
66 45 26
5. BOLTON WANDERERS 22
10 2 10
63 59 22
6. WEST BROMWICH ALBION 22
10 2 10
40 46 22
7. ACCRINGTON 22
6 8 8
48 48 20
8. EVERTON 22
9 2 11
35 46 20
9. BURNLEY 22
7 3 12
42 62 17
10. DERBY COUNTY 22
7 2 13
41 61 16
11. NOTTS COUNTY 22
5 2 15
40 73 12
12. STOKE 22
4 4 14
26 51 12
(264 110 44 110 586 586 264)
Despite Preston’s runaway success,
league football was very popular and a number
of other leagues were
set up for the following campaign.
1889-1890
FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. PRESTON NORTH END 22
15 3 4
71 30 33
2. EVERTON 22
14 3 5
65 40 31
3. BLACKBURN ROVERS 22
12 3
7 78 41 27
4. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 22
10 5 7
51 38 25
5. WEST BROMWICH ALBION 22
11 3 8
47 50 25
6. ACCRINGTON 22
9 6 7
53 56 24
7. DERBY COUNTY 22
9 3 10
43 55 21
8. ASTON VILLA 22
7 5 10
43 51 19
9. BOLTON WANDERERS 22
9 1 12
54 65 19
10. NOTTS COUNTY 22
6 5 11
43 51 17
11. BURNLEY 22
4 5 13
36 65 13
12. STOKE 22
3 4 15
27 69 10
(264 109 46 109 611 611 264)
The strongest competition outside the
Football League was the Football Alliance,
which had 12 of the
leading professional clubs not in the
premier competition – including both
Forest and Wednesday, both of
whom had been ‘left out’
when the Football League started.
FOOTBALL ALLIANCE FINAL TABLE
1. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 22
15 2 5
70 39 32
2. BOOTLE 22
13 2 7
66 39 28
3. SUNDERLAND ALBION 22
13 2 7
64 39 28
4. GRIMSBY TOWN 22
12 2 8
58 47 26
5. CREWE ALEXANDRA 22
11 2 9
68 59 24
6. DARWEN 22
10 2 10
70 75 22
7. BIRMINGHAM ST. GEORGE’S 22
9 3 10
62 49 21
8. NEWTON HEATH 22
9 2 11
40 45 20
9. WALSALL TOWN SWIFTS 22
8 3 11
44 59 19
10. SMALL HEATH 22
6 5 11
44 67 17
11. NOTTINGHAM FOREST 22
6 5 11
31 62 17
12. LONG EATON RANGERS 22
4 2 16
36 73 10
(264 116 32 116 653 653 264)
It is not known exactly how many ‘leagues’
were established in 1889, but three of the
next strongest
competitions were the Lancashire League,
the Midland League and the Northern League.
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. HIGHER WALTON 24
14 4 6
68 43 32
2. BURY 24
14 3 7
65 35 31
3. HEYWOOD CENTRAL 24
14 2 8
64 38 30
4. NELSON 24
12 4 8
55 44 28
5. BLACKPOOL 24
10 6 8
61 46 26
6. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 24
9 7 8
40 32 25
7. HEYWOOD 24
10 5 9
54 49 25
8. BLACKBURN PARK ROAD 24
8 6 10
44 47 22
9. WEST MANCHESTER 24
9 4 11
44 70 22
10. HYDE 24
8 5 11
46 56 21
11. OSWALDTWISTLE ROVERS 24
8 4 12
39 62 20
12. FLEETWOOD RANGERS 24
7 5 12
35 51 19
13. ROSSENDALE 24
4 3 17
37 79 11
(312 127 58 127 652 652 312)
Earlestown were expelled from the Lancashire
League for refusing to fulfil fixtures. The
club’s record was deleted.
MIDLAND LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. LINCOLN CITY 20
16 2 2
75 19 34
2. DERBY MIDLAND 19
11 3 5
41 30 25
3. ROTHERHAM TOWN 20
11 3 6
44 27 25
4. BURTON WANDERERS 20
11 3 6
42 40 25
5. STAVELEY 20
9 4 7
46 28 22
6. WARWICK COUNTY 20
9 4 7
36 28 22
7. GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 19
8 5 6
47 32 21
8. DERBY JUNCTION 18
7 2 9
32 49 16
9. LEEK 20
3 2 15
26 64
8
10. NOTTS RANGERS 15
1 4 10
11 36
6
11. SHEFFIELD 19
2 2 15
19 66 6
(210 88 34 88 419 419 210)
Notts Rangers were expelled from the Midland
League for refusing to fulfil fixtures. The
club’s record was allowed to stand,
however.
NORTHERN LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. DARLINGTON ST. AUGUSTINE’S
18
12 2 4
39 17 26
2. NEWCASTLE WEST END 18
12 2 4
44 24 26
3. STOCKTON 18
10 4 4
41 18 24
4. NEWCASTLE EAST END 18
9 3 6
32 28 21
5. DARLINGTON 18
7 6 5
46 20 20
6. MIDDLESBROUGH 18
8 3 7
42 37 19
7. SOUTH BANK 18
6 2 10
33 60 14
8. AUCKLAND TOWN 18
4 4 10
41 49 12
9. BIRTLEY 18
3 3 12
28 48
9
10. ELSWICK RANGERS 18
2 5 11
21 66 9
(180 73 34 73 367 367 180)
1890-1891
FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. EVERTON 22
14 1 7
63 29 29
2. PRESTON NORTH END 22
12 3 7
44 23 27
3. NOTTS COUNTY 22
11 4 7
52 35 26
4. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 22
12 2 8
39 50 26
5. BOLTON WANDERERS 22
12 1 9
47 34 25
6. BLACKBURN ROVERS 22
11 2 9
52 43 24
7. SUNDERLAND (-2) 22
10 5 7
51 31 23
8. BURNLEY 22
9 3 10
52 63 21
9. ASTON VILLA 22
7 4 11
45 58 18
10. ACCRINGTON 22
6 4 12
28 50 16
11. DERBY COUNTY 22
7 1 14
47 81 15
12. WEST BROMWICH ALBION 22
5 2 15
34 57 12
(264 116 32 116 554 554 262)
FOOTBALL ALLIANCE FINAL TABLE
1. STOKE 22
13 7 2
57 39 33
2. SUNDERLAND ALBION 22
12 6 4
69 28 30
3. GRIMSBY TOWN 22
11 5 6
43 27 27
4. BIRMINGHAM ST. GEORGE’S 22
12 2 8
64 62 26
5. NOTTINGHAM FOREST 22
9 7 6
66 39 25
6. DARWEN 22
10 3 9
64 59 23
7. WALSALL TOWN SWIFTS 22
9 3 10
34 61 21
8. CREWE ALEXANDRA 22
8 4 10
59 67 20
9. NEWTON HEATH 22
7 3 12
37 55 17
10. SMALL HEATH 22
7 2 13
58 66 16
11. BOOTLE 22
3 7 12
40 61 13
12. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 22
4 5 13
39 66 13
(264 105 54 105 630 630 264)
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. BURY 20
15 3 2
74 32 33
2. BLACKPOOL 20
14 2 4
62 39 30
3. HEYWOOD CENTRAL 20
13 3 4
77 34 29
4. NELSON 20
10 4 6
68 54 24
5. HEYWOOD 20
8 4 8
42 54 20
6. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 20
8 3 9
43 55 19
7. ROSSENDALE 20
8 1 11
42 43 17
8. FLEETWOOD RANGERS 20
6 4 10
39 61 16
9. HIGHER WALTON 20
6 3 11
45 57 15
10. WEST MANCHESTER 20
3 4 13
41 70 10
11. OSWALDTWISTLE ROVERS 20
1 5 14
25 59 7
(220 92 36 92 558 558 220)
Burnley Union Star failed to complete their
fixtures and the club’s record was
deleted.
MIDLAND LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 18
10 4 4
58 21 24
2. LONG EATON RANGERS 18
10 2 6
50 33 22
3. LINCOLN CITY 18
7 6 5
34 21 20
4. DERBY MIDLAND 18
8 4 6
28 28 20
5. SHEFFIELD UNITED 18
8 3 7
32 25 19
6. BURTON WANDERERS 18
7 4 7
25 33 18
7. ROTHERHAM TOWN 18
7 4 7
20 28 18
8. BURSLEM PORT VALE 18
7 2 9
35 43 16
9. DERBY JUNCTION 18
5 5 8
18 30 15
10. STAVELEY 18
2 4 12
19 57
8
(180 71 38 71 319 319 180)
Kidderminster resigned during the season,
while Warwick County were expelled for failing
to fulfil fixtures. In both cases the club
record was deleted.
NORTHERN LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. MIDDLESBROUGH IRONOPOLIS 14
9 2 3
37 24 20
2. MIDDLESBROUGH 14
8 3 3
33 17 19
3. SUNDERLAND ALBION 14
7 3 4
33 16 17
4. STOCKTON 14
8 1 5
38 19 17
5. DARLINGTON 14
7 0 7
25 29 14
6. NEWCASTLE EAST END 14
5 2 7
25 39 12
7. NEWCASTLE WEST END 14
3 4 7
21 38 10
8. DARLINGTON ST. AUGUSTINE’S
14
0 3 11
14 44
3
(112 47 18 47 226 226 112)
THE COMBINATION FINAL TABLE
1. GORTON VILLA 16
10 2 4
47 26 22
2. MACCLESFIELD 16
9 3 4
44 27 21
3. CHESTER 16
8 4 4
42 30 20
4. BURTON SWIFTS 14
9 0 5
55 28 18
5. DENTON 16
8 1 7
35 32 17
6. NORTHWICH VICTORIA 16
5 7 4
28 30 17
7. HYDE 14
3 4 7
25 39 10
8. WREXHAM (-2) 16
4 4 8
25 47 10
9. LEEK 16
1 1 14
18 60 3
(140 57 26 57 319 319 138)
The games between Burton Swifts and Hyde
were not played. Derby St. Luke’s,
Stafford County and Witton
(Blackburn) all resigned during the season
and each club’s record was deleted.
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. MATLOCK 13
11 1 1
42 17 23
2. CLAY CROSS TOWN 14
9 0 5
43 20 18
3. BELPER TOWN 14
8 1 5
36 25 17
4. TIBSHELF COLLIERY 13
6 2 5
36 28 14
5. RIDDINGS ST. JAMES 14
6 1 7
29 35 13
6. ILKESTON TOWN 14
5 0 9
34 49 10
7. RIPLEY TOWN 13
5 0 8
25 40 10
8. WIRKSWORTH TOWN 13
1 1 11
19 50
3
(108 51 6 51 264 264 108)
Two matches were left unplayed. Three new
clubs joined the competition – Blackwell
Colliery, Codnor Park
and Langley Mill Rangers.
MANCHESTER LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. ST. BRIDE’S 17
13 2 2
57 15 28
2. WHALLEY RANGE 16
10 3 3
54 23 23
3. LANCASHIRE COLLEGE 15
10 2 3
41 23 22
4. STRETFORD 16
10 1 5
51 27 21
5. TONGE 17
9 3 5
46 23 21
6. ST. MARK’S 17
7 3 7
48 58 17
7. PRESS (-2) 16
7 0 9
32 36 12
8. DALTON 17
5 1 11
30 54 11
9. STOCKPORT 16
2 0 14
16 58
4
10. WEST END 17
1 1 15
12 70 3
(164 74 16 74 387 387 162)
The remaining matches were not played.
MIDLAND ALLIANCE FINAL TABLE
1. NOTTS COUNTY ROVERS 14
9 4 1
33 17 22
2. DONCASTER ROVERS (-2) 14
9 1 4
43 19 17
3. LOUGHBOROUGH 14
7 2 5
35 25 16
4. GRANTHAM ROVERS 14
5 4 5
33 30 14
5. HEANOR TOWN 14
5 2 7
32 41 12
6. NEWARK 14
4 4 6
26 37 12
7. NOTTS OLYMPIC 14
3 3 8
20 39
9
8. SHEFFIELD 14
3 2 9
23 37 8
(112 45 22 45 245 245 110)
The Midland Alliance began with 10 clubs,
but Notts Jardines were suspended by the
F.A. after playing nine
matches and Rotherham Swifts withdrew after
completing 6 fixtures. The records of both
clubs were deleted.
Three clubs moved to the Midland League –
Doncaster Rovers, Grantham Rovers and Loughborough.
The
competition was, however, expanded through
the admission of Derby County Wanderers,
Grantham Town,
Lincoln City Swifts, Long Eaton Athletic
and a club named Mansfield Town, which is
not the present-day club of the same name.
NOTTS & DISTRICT LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. MANSFIELD TOWN 17
13 4 0
U C 30
2. KIMBERLEY 18
10 5 3
N A 25
3. NOTTINGHAM FOREST RESERVES 18
11 3 4
T R 25
4. RUDDINGTON 18
8 3 7
R T 19
5. SNEINTON WANDERERS 18
6 6 6
A N 18
6. BULWELL UNITED 18
5 7 6
C U 17
7. RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT 17
6 3 8
E D 15
8. SUTTON ZINGARI 18
5 4 9
D E 14
9. ST. ANDREW’S INSTITUTE 18
4 5 9
U C 13
10. NOTTS WANDERERS 16
0 0 16
N A
0
(176 68 40 68 T R 176)
No record of goals scored has been found.
Notts Wanderers were expelled from the league
towards the
end of the season, but the club’s record
was allowed to stand.
1891-1892
FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. SUNDERLAND 26
21 0 5
93 36 42
2. PRESTON NORTH END 26
18 1 7
61 31 37
3. BOLTON WANDERERS 26
17 2 7
51 37 36
4. ASTON VILLA 26
15 0 11
89 56 30
5. EVERTON 26
12 4 10
49 49 28
6. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 26
11 4 11
59 46 26
7. BURNLEY 26
11 4 11
49 45 26
8. NOTTS COUNTY 26
11 4 11
55 51 26
9. BLACKBURN ROVERS 26
10 6 10
58 65 26
10. DERBY COUNTY 26
10 4 12
46 52 24
11. ACCRINGTON 26
8 4 14
40 78 20
12. WEST BROMWICH ALBION 26
6 6 14
51 58 18
13. STOKE 26
5 4 17
38 61 14
14. DARWEN 26
4 3 19
38 112 11
(364 159 46 159 777 777 364)
FOOTBALL ALLIANCE FINAL TABLE
1. NOTTINGHAM FOREST 22
14 5 3
59 22 33
2. NEWTON HEATH 22
12 7 3
69 33 31
3. SMALL HEATH 22
12 5 5
53 36 29
4. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 22
12 4 6
65 35 28
5. BURTON SWIFTS 22
12 2 8
54 52 26
6. GRIMSBY TOWN 22
6 6 10
40 39 18
7. CREWE ALEXANDRA 22
7 4 11
44 49 18
8. ARDWICK 22
6 6 10
39 51 18
9. BOOTLE 22
8 2 12
42 64 18
10. LINCOLN CITY 22
6 5 11
37 65 17
11. WALSALL TOWN SWIFTS 22
6 3 13
33 59 15
12. BIRMINGHAM ST. GEORGE’S 22
5 3 14
34 64 13
(264 106 52 106 569 569 264)
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. BURY 22
20 0 2
76 21 40
2. BLACKPOOL 22
16 3 3
77 32 35
3. FLEETWOOD RANGERS 22
12 5 5
84 44 29
4. ROSSENDALE 22
12 3 7
64 38 27
5. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 22
12 3 7
59 47 27
6. NELSON 22
10 4 8
82 63 24
7. HEYWOOD CENTRAL 22
10 3 9
67 46 23
8. SOUTH SHORE 22
5 7 10
51 69 17
9. HIGHER WALTON 22
5 7 10
46 64 17
10. WEST MANCHESTER 22
4 4 14
40 76 12
11. WITTON 22
3 2 17
31 111 8
12. HEYWOOD 22
1 3 18
23 89
5
(264 110 44 110 700 700 264)
MIDLAND LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. ROTHERHAM TOWN 20
13 1 6
70 41 27
2. GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 20
12 2 6
49 31 26
3. BURSLEM PORT VALE 20
11 1 8
49 33 23
4. WEDNESBURY OLD ATHLETIC 20
9 5 6
49 41 23
5. BURTON WANDERERS 20
10 2 8
48 32 22
6. DONCASTER ROVERS 20
8 5 7
30 36 21
7. GRANTHAM ROVERS 20
6 6 8
29 37 18
8. LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN 20
8 1 11
42 46 17
9. LONG EATON RANGERS 20
5 7 8
32 46 17
10. DERBY JUNCTION 20
4 5 11
21 41 13
11. LEICESTER FOSSE 20
5 3
12 21 56 13
(220 91 38 91 440 440 220)
Staveley resigned during the season and the
club’s record was deleted.
NORTHERN LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. MIDDLESBROUGH IRONOPOLIS 16
14 1 1
49 13 29
2. MIDDLESBROUGH 16
13 0 3
33 13 26
3. SHEFFIELD UNITED 16
10 2 4
49 21 22
4. NEWCASTLE EAST END 16
9 2 5
37 20 20
5. STOCKTON 16
6 2 8
31 34 14
6. SUNDERLAND ALBION 16
5 0 11
36 38 10
7. SOUTH BANK 16
3 2 11
21 50 8
8. NEWCASTLE WEST END 16
4 0 12
21 56 8
9. DARLINGTON 16
2 3 11
17 49 7
(144 66 12 66 294 294 144)
THE COMBINATION FINAL TABLE
1. EVERTON RESERVES 22
17 2 3
99 20 36
2. NORTHWICH VICTORIA 22
15 1 6
84 25 31
3. MACCLESFIELD 22
15 0 7
52 38 30
4. STOKE SWIFTS 22
13 1 8
49 29 27
5. BUXTON 22
11 3 8
35 30 25
6. WREXHAM 22
9 2 11
45 65 20
7. CHIRK 22
7 5 10
48 56 19
8. CHESTER 22
8 3 11
52 61 19
9. GORTON VILLA 22
8 3 11
41 51 19
10. LEEK 22
8 0 14
46 62 16
11. STOCKPORT COUNTY 22
7 2 13
29 44 16
12. DENTON 22
2 2 18
25 124 6
(264 120 24 120 605 605 264)
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. MATLOCK 20
15 3 2
68 33 33
2. BELPER TOWN 20
14 0 6
79 46 28
3. BLACKWELL COLLIERY 20
12 2 6
75 42 26
4. CLAY CROSS TOWN 18
12 1 5
57 43 25
5. TIBSHELF COLLIERY (-2) 20
8 4 8
75 75 18
6. RIDDINGS ST. JAMES 20
7 4 9
49 51 18
7. LANGLEY MILL RANGERS 20
8 1 11
52 56 17
8. WIRKSWORTH TOWN 20
6 3 11
40 47 15
9. RIPLEY TOWN (-2) 20
7 1 12
35 61 13
10. ILKESTON TOWN (-4) 18
6 1 11
25 60 9
11. CODNOR PARK 20
2 2 16
35 76 6
(216 97 22 97 590 590 208)
The games between Clay Cross Town and Ilkeston
Town were not played – which could
explain Ilkeston’s
4 points deduction. Matlock moved to the
Midland Alliance, while the competition was
joined by Alfreton
Town and South Normanton Colliery.
LANCASHIRE COMBINATION FINAL TABLE
1. BLACKBURN ROVERS RESERVES 14
10 3 1
44 17 23
2. HINDLEY 14
9 0 5
28 22 18
3. ROYTON 14
7 2 5
39 25 16
4. BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 14
7 1 6
42 25 15
5. PRESTON NORTH END RESERVES 13
6 3 4
44 33 15
6. NORTH MEOLS (SOUTHPORT) 14
6 0 8
27 37 12
7. SKELMERSDALE UNITED 13
3 1 9
26 53
7
8. LIVERPOOL STANLEY 14
1 2 11
13 51 4
(110 49 12 49 263 263 110)
Halliwell (Bolton) were expelled from the
competition for failing to complete fixtures.
The club’s record
was deleted. Hindley and Liverpool Stanley
left the league, which was joined by the
reserve sides of
Ardwick, Darwen and Newton Heath, plus Tranmere
Rovers and Turton.
The NOTTS & DISTRICT LEAGUES also operated,
but the FINAL TABLE has not been traced.
MIDLAND ALLIANCE FINAL TABLE
1. DERBY COUNTY WANDERERS 18
15 1 2
88 19 31
2. MANSFIELD TOWN 18
13 2 3
43 19 28
3. NOTTS COUNTY ROVERS 18
11 2 5
49 34 24
4. NEWARK 18
10 2 6
55 42 22
5. HEANOR TOWN 18
8 2 8
46 37 18
6. LINCOLN CITY SWIFTS 18
6 3 9
26 43 15
7. LONG EATON ATHLETIC 18
4 4 10
31 38 12
8. GRANTHAM TOWN 18
3 5 10
29 51 11
9. SHEFFIELD 18
4 3 11
25 64 11
10. NOTTS OLYMPIC 18
2 4 12
19 64
8
(180 76 28 76 411 411 180)
In another substantial change of membership,
the Midland Alliance lost Mansfield Town
and Newark to the
Midland League, but gained Mansfield Greenhalghs,
Nottingham Forest Swifts and Sheffield United
Strollers.
Derby County Wanderers became ‘Derby
Town’, but remained the reserve side
of Derby County.
1892-1893
FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 FINAL TABLE
1. SUNDERLAND 30
22 4 4
100 36 48
2. PRESTON NORTH END 30
17 3 10
57 39 37
3. EVERTON 30
16 4 10
74 51 36
4. ASTON VILLA 30
16 3 11
73 62 35
5. BOLTON WANDERERS 30
13 6 11
56 55 32
6. BURNLEY 30
13 4 13
51 44 30
7. STOKE 30
12 5 13
58 48 29
8. WEST BROMWICH ALBION 30
12 5 13
58 69 29
9. BLACKBURN ROVERS 30
8 13 9
47 56 29
10. NOTTINGHAM FOREST 30
10 8 12
48 52 28
11. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 30
12 4 14
47 68 28
12. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 30
12 3 15
55 65 27
13. DERBY COUNTY 30
9 9 12
52 64 27
14. NOTTS COUNTY 30
10 4 16
53 61 24
15. ACCRINGTON 30
6 11 13
57 81 23
16. NEWTON HEATH 30
6 6 18
50 85 18
(480 194 92 194 936 936 480)
FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 FINAL TABLE
1. SMALL HEATH 22
17 2 3
90 35 36
2. SHEFFIELD UNITED 22
16 3 3
62 19 35
3. DARWEN 22
14 2 6
60 36 30
4. GRIMSBY TOWN 22
11 1 10
42 41 23
5. ARDWICK 22
9 3 10
45 40 21
6. BURTON SWIFTS 22
9 2 11
47 47 20
7. NORTHWICH VICTORIA 22
9 2 11
42 58 20
8. BOOTLE 22
8 3 11
49 63 19
9. LINCOLN CITY 22
7 3 12
45 51 17
10. CREWE ALEXANDRA 22
6 3 13
42 69 15
11. BURSLEM PORT VALE 22
6 3 13
30 57 15
12. WALSALL TOWN SWIFTS 22
5 3 14
37 75 13
(264 117 30 117 591 591 264)
With the Football Alliance having amalgamated,
in effect, with the Football League in 1892,
there was no
longer a clear ‘second tier’
in English soccer. There was little dispute,
however, about which non-league
competitions were the strongest ones
in the North and Midlands – the Lancashire,
Midland Counties and
Northern Leagues formed a trio of decent
quality competitions, especially among their
leading sides, with
The Combination not far behind these
in class. It is not really surprising that
most of the clubs to
enter the Football League during the
next few years came from one of the ‘top
three’ leagues.
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. LIVERPOOL 22
17 2 3
66 19 36
2. BLACKPOOL 22
17 2 3
82 31 36
3. BURY 22
17 1 4
83 24 35
4. FLEETWOOD RANGERS 22
10 5 7
47 51 25
5. WEST MANCHESTER 22
10 4 8
68 55 24
6. HEYWOOD CENTRAL 22
11 1 10
54 60 23
7. ROSSENDALE 22
8 2 12
46 55 18
8. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 22
7 2 13
33 44 16
9. FAIRFIELD 22
5 6 11
34 53 16
10. SOUTH SHORE 22
5 6 11
46 66 16
11. NELSON 22
4 2 16
54 73 10
12. HIGHER WALTON 22
3 3 16
28 110 9
(264 114 36 114 641 641 264)
Liverpool Caledonians folded and the
club’s record was deleted.
MIDLAND LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. ROTHERHAM TOWN 24
19 3 2
80 28 41
2. BURTON WANDERERS 24
15 4 5
49 33 34
3. LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN 24
15 3 6
64 30 33
4. LEICESTER FOSSE 24
12 3 9
50 37 27
5. DONCASTER ROVERS 24
11 4 9
47 44 26
6. GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 24
12 1 11
51 34 25
7. KETTERING TOWN 24
11 3 10
48 41 25
8. GRANTHAM ROVERS 24
10 2 12
46 43 22
9. WEDNESBURY OLD ATHLETIC 24
8 3 13
41 51 19
10. LONG EATON RANGERS 24
6 6 12
34 53 18
11. MANSFIELD TOWN 24
7 2 15
26 70 16
12. NEWARK 24
6 3 15
34 62 15
13. DERBY JUNCTION 24
3 5 16
32 76 11
(312 135 42 135 602 602 312)
NORTHERN LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. MIDDLESBROUGH IRONOPOLIS 10
9 1 0
22 6
19
2. NEWCASTLE UNITED 10
5 1 4
30 19 11
3. SHEFFIELD UNITED 10
4 2 4
18 16 10
4. MIDDLESBROUGH 10
4 0 6
17 17
8
5. STOCKTON 10
3 1 6
24 27 7
6. DARLINGTON 10
2 1 7
11 37 5
(60 27 6 27 122 122 60)
It would appear that the Sheffield
United side which played in the Northern
League was the club’s first
team, i.e. the same line-up, basically,
which played in Football League Division
Two.
THE COMBINATION FINAL TABLE
1. EVERTON RESERVES 22
18 2
2 107 13 38
2. STOKE SWIFTS 22
14 4 4 48 23 32
3. CHESTER 22
12 2 8 52 41 26
4. CHIRK 22
10 3 9 63 43 23
5. BUXTON 22
8 7 7 37 33 23
6. STOCKPORT COUNTY 22
8 6 8 38 35 22
7. DRESDEN UNITED 22
8 3 11 34 43 19
8. WREXHAM 22
9 1 12 41 66 19
9. MACCLESFIELD 22
6 6 10 45 55 18
10. LEEK 22
6 3 13 31 60 15
11. NANTWICH 22
6 3 13 36 81 15
12. GORTON VILLA 22
6 2 14 29 68 14
(264 111 42 111 561 561 264)
Leagues for football continued to appear.
It is impossible to know how many new competitions
appeared,
but at least a few of the final tables
from the 1892-1893 season are available.
Many of these leagues
were ‘uneven’ to say the
least, with it being not uncommon for there
to be one or two very good teams at
the top, 2-3 very weak sides at the
bottom and a large middle band between whom
there was relatively
little to choose.
BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESERVES
18 15 1
2 66 12
31
2. ASTON VILLA RESERVES 18
15 1 2 81 18 31
3. BRIERLEY HILL ALLIANCE 18
11 1 6 38 23 23
4. WEST BROMWICH ALBION RESERVES 18
8 5 7 33 25 21
5. STOURBRIDGE 18
9 2 7 42 36 20
6. OLD HILL WANDERERS 18
7 4 7 34 43 18
7. KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 18
5 6 7 33 41 16
8. REDDITCH TOWN 18
4 2 12 23 53 10
9. SMETHWICK CARRIAGE WORKS 18
3 2 13 20 69 8
10. HALESOWEN 18
0 2 16 14 64 2
(180 77 26 79 384 384 180)
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. BLACKWELL COLLIERY 21
18 1 2
112 30 37
2. LANGLEY MILL RANGERS 21
16 1 4 107 32 33
3. ILKESTON TOWN 21
14 2 5 94 36 30
4. CLAY CROSS TOWN 22
13 2 7 73 29 28
5. CODNOR PARK 22
7 8 7 54 48 22
6. BELPER TOWN 19
9 2 8 70 52 20
7. RIDDINGS ST. JAMES 22
8 4 10 41 57 20
8. WIRKSWORTH TOWN 21
6 3 12 36 96 15
9. SOUTH NORMANTON COLLIERY 22
6 2 14 59 77 14
10. RIPLEY TOWN 22
6 2 14 31 101 14
11. TIBSHELF COLLIERY 19
4 2 13 41 78 10
12. ALFRETON TOWN 20
4 1 15 25 107 9
(252 111 30 111 743 743 252)
Six matches were left unplayed. The
bottom four clubs left the competition, which
was joined by 6 others.
LANCASHIRE COMBINATION FINAL TABLE
1. BLACKBURN ROVERS RESERVES 20
14 1 5
59 30 29
2. DARWEN RESERVES 20
11 3 6
84 42 25
3. NEWTON HEATH RESERVES 20
10 5 5
47 30 25
4. BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 20
12 0 8
42 42 24
5. TURTON 20
9 3 8
50 41 21
6. NORTH MEOLS (SOUTHPORT) 20
8 4 8
42 38 20
7. ROYTON 20
8 4 8
44 43 20
8. ARDWICK RESERVES 20
8 3 9
49 46 19
9. PRESTON NORTH END RESERVES 20
6 4 10
40 44 16
10. SKELMERSDALE UNITED 20
5 2
13 28 78 12
11. TRANMERE ROVERS 20
4 1 15
30 81 9
220 95 30 95 515 515 220
SOMERSET SENIOR LEAGUE and TEESSIDE LEAGUE
It seems that both competitions operated
during this season, but trace has been found
of the final tables.
MIDLAND ALLIANCE FINAL TABLE
1. DERBY TOWN 20
16 2 2
69 13 34
2. SHEFFIELD UNITED STROLLERS 20
12 3 5
66 26 27
3. MANSFIELD GREENHALGHS 20
11 4 5
46 32 26
4. NOTTINGHAM FOREST SWIFTS 20
11 4 5
36 33 26
5. HEANOR TOWN 20
11 3 6
41 18 25
6. NOTTS COUNTY ROVERS 20
9 2 9
41 43 20
7. MATLOCK 20
9 1 10
41 46 19
8. LINCOLN CITY SWIFTS (-3) 20
8 3 9
34 43 16
9. NOTTS OLYMPIC 20
6 2 12
34 73 14
10. SHEFFIELD 20
1 3 16
18 61
5
11. LONG EATON ATHLETIC 20
2 1 17
14 52 5
(220 96 28 96 440 440 217)
Grantham withdrew from the competition during
the season and the club’s record was
deleted.
NOTTS & DISTRICT LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. HUCKNALL ST. JOHN’S (-1)
16
11 2 3
50 25 23
2. NEWSTEAD BYRON 15
10 3 2
38 26 23
3. RUDDINGTON 16
8 1 7
32 25 17
4. KIMBERLEY 16
7 3 6
31 25 17
5. SUTTON TOWN 16
7 3 6
27 22 17
6. BULWELL UNITED 15
6 4 5
27 24 16
7. NEWARK SWIFTS 14
5 1 8
28 41 11
8. STAPLEFORD 16
3 2 11
22 30
8
9. RADCLIFFE-on-TRENT 16
3 1 12
18 55 7
(140 60 20 60 273 273 139)
SHEFFIELD LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. WEDNESDAY WANDERERS 26
18 2 6
92 34 38
2. MEXBOROUGH 26
16 4 6
110 53 36
3. ATTERCLIFFE 26
17 2 7
67 36 36
4. BARNSLEY ST. PETER’S
26
15 3 8
84 45 33
5. CHESTERFIELD TOWN 26
14 4 8
59 34 32
6. ROTHERHAM UNITED (-2) 26
15 4 7
85 64 32
7. ECKINGTON WORKS 26
14 4 8
63 60 32
8. KILNHURST 26
13 2 11
60 51 28
9. WATH 26
12 4 10
68 68 28
10. SHEEPBRIDGE WORKS 26
9 2 15
62 84 20
11. KIVETON PARK 26
9 2 15
54 85 20
12. WORKSOP TOWN 26
6 2 18
50 93 14
13. ECCLESFIELD 26
4 3 19
33 89 11
14. PENISTONE ATHLETIC 26
0 2 24
40 131 2
(364 162 40 162 927 927 362)
SHROPSHIRE LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. NEWTOWN 16
8 6 2
72 24 22
2. IRONBRIDGE 16
9 3 4
41 34 21
3. WELLINGTON ST. GEORGE’S 16
8 4 4
47 38 20
4. SHREWSBURY TOWN 16
7 6 3
45 37 20
5. STAFFORD RANGERS 16
7 3 6
31 34 17
6. WELLINGTON TOWN 16
5 7 4
48 35 17
7. HEREFORD 16
5 4 7
20 35 14
8. NEWPORT 16
4 3 9
30 43 11
9. WHITCHURCH 16
0 2 14
23 77
2
(144 53 38 53 357 357 144)
WEARSIDE LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. SEAHAM HARBOUR 18
15 0 3
63 24 30
2. MONKWEARMOUTH 18
13 3 2
73 26 29
3. RYHOPE 18
10 2 6
52 46 22
4. BOLDON 18
10 0 8
44 45 20
5. EAST END BLACK WATCH 18
9 1 8
53 33 19
6. SUNDERLAND SWIFTS 18
7 2 9
33 39 16
7. SEAHAM ALBION 18
5 5 8
27 56 15
8. WEARMOUTH SWIFTS 18
5 3 10
24 35 13
9. SUNDERLAND CELTIC 18
3 6 9
25 47 12
10. SUNDERLAND WEST END 18
1 2 15
21 64 4
(180 78 24 78 415 415 180)
WESTERN LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. WARMLEY 16
11 3 2
72 19 25
2. TROWBRIDGE TOWN 16
10 4 2
66 17 24
3. ST. GEORGE 16
9 5 2
36 22 23
4. BEDMINSTER 16
6 5 5
30 34 17
5. CLEVEDON 16
6 4 6
25 36 16
6. EASTVILLE ROVERS 16
6 3 7
36 40 15
7. CLIFTON 16
4 2 10
27 61 10
8. MANGOTSFIELD 16
3 2 11
19 45 8
9. WELLS CITY 16
1 4 11
14 51 6
(144 56 32 56 325 325 144)
Wells City left at the end of the season,
but five new clubs joined the Western League
for the 1893-1894
season, while all existing clubs, apart
from Clevedon entered their reserve teams
into the competition’s
new 2nd Division.
