MIDLAND LEAGUE

The Midland (or Midland Counties) League was one of a number of competitions set up in 1889 after the success of the first Football League season 1888-1889.  Part of the appeal of a league competition was that it provided a guaranteed fixture list for the clubs involved – at least in theory.  In the first Midland League season, one club failed to meet its commitments fully – Notts Rangers, who failed to fulfil home games against Derby Junction, Derby Midland, Gainsborough Trinity and Sheffield, and also the fixture at Derby Junction.  Rangers were expelled from the League because of this, but the club’s record was allowed to stand.  Despite this awkward beginning, the Midland league prospered.

Eleven clubs took part in the Midland League during the first season.  Over the first few years there were regular changes in membership and size and it was not until 1907 that the number of sides playing in the competition remained the same between one campaign and the next.  Many of the leading teams gained election to the Football League during the 1890s, though, towards the end of the decade the trend began of clubs from the senior competition in the country fielding their reserve sides in the Midland League.  This was to remain a feature of the competition until 1958.

Midland (Counties) League Final Table 1889-1890 

 

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

*Placed second because of having played fewer games to reach points total.

Leek and Sheffield were not re-elected.  Three clubs joined the League – Burslem Port Vale, Long Eaton Rangers and Sheffield United.