Ford Sporting League

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The Ford Sporting League was a short-lived English football league sponsored by Ford Motor Company. The League's only season was that of 1970-1971. The league, in addition to the standard practice of awarding points for goals scored, deducted points for unsporting behavior on the pitch. This system was unique to the league.

Oldham Athletic A.F.C. won the league, winning a pot of £70,000. League rules stipulated the prize money be used on stadium improvements, so the money went to build a stand in the stadium.[1]

The 1970-1971 season marked a watershed for sponsorship in English football. In addition to the short lived Ford Sporting League, there was the first Watney Cup and first Texaco Cup. The Football League itself, however, turned down an offer of £600,000 to sponsor the Football League Cup.[2]