List of former Football League clubs
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Since its formation in 1888 many clubs have competed in The Football League and several have dropped out of it. This is a list of former League clubs with a brief history of their League careers. This list does not include the 20 clubs currently playing in the FA Premier League, all of which were formerly members of The Football League.
[edit] Aberdare Athletic
Aberdare Athletic, from Wales, joined the League in 1921. They folded soon after leaving the League after finishing bottom in 1927.
- 1921-22 - Elected to Third Division (South)
- 1926-27 - Finish bottom of Third Division (South) and fail to gain re-election.
[edit] Accrington
One of the founder members of the Football League, Accrington competed in the first ever Football League Championship. In 1892 they were relegated after losing a test match against Sheffield United, this lead to them resigning from the League rather than play in the Second Division. Accrington folded in 1896. See also Accrington Stanley, below.
- 1888-89 - Founder members of the Football League
- 1892-93 - Relegated after losing 'test match' against Sheffield United. Resign from Football League
[edit] Accrington Stanley
A founding member of Football League Division Three North in 1921, Accrington Stanley left the League in 1962, and folded in 1966. A new club of the same name were later established in 1968 and were promoted to the Football League as champions of The Conference in 2005-06.
[edit] Aldershot
Elected to the League in 1932 and originally called Aldershot Town, Aldershot dropped the 'Town' from their name in 1937. The club folded in 1992, although a replacement club, Aldershot Town, achieved promotion to the Football League in 2008.
- 1931-32 - Elected to Third Division (South)
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in to Fourth Division
- 1972-73 - Finish fourth in Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1975-76 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1991-92 - Club folds and resigns from Football League
[edit] Ashington
Ashington were in the League between 1921 and 1929. They still survive and are currently plying their trade in the Northern League.
- 1921-22 - Founder members of Third Division (North)
- 1928-29 - Finish bottom of Third Division (North) and failed to gain re-election to the Football League
[edit] Barrow
Barrow were in the League between 1921 and 1972. They currently play in the Football Conference North.
- 1921-22 - Elected to Third Division (North)
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1958-59 - League restructured. Placed in Fourth Division
- 1966-67 - Finish third in Fourth Division, promoted to Third Division
- 1969-70 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1970-71 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division
- 1971-72 - Fail to gain re-election to Football League
[edit] Bootle
Bootle were founder members of the Football Alliance which merged with the Football League, becoming founder members of the Second Division. They spent only one season in the League and no longer exist, though there is a modern-day Bootle FC that play in the North West Counties League.
- 1892-93 - Finish eighth and resign from Football League
[edit] Boston United
Boston United were relegated to the Football Conference in 2007 after 5 years of League football and 6 years of full-time professionalism.
[edit] Bradford
Bradford A.F.C., commonly known as Bradford Park Avenue to distinguish them from Bradford City, competed in the Football league from 1908 until 1970 when they failed to be re-elected. They folded soon after, but a revived club Bradford (Park Avenue) is currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One.
- 1908-09 - Elected to Second Division
- 1913-14 - Second Division Runners-Up, promoted to First Division
- 1914-18 - World War I
- 1920-21 - Relegated to Second Division
- 1921-22 - Relegated to Third Division (North)
- 1927-28 - Third Division (North) Champions, promoted to Second Division
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1949-50 - Relegated to Third Division (North)
- 1958-59 - League Restructure, placed in to Fourth Division
- 1969-70 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division and fail to gain re-election to the Football League
[edit] Burton Swifts
Burton Swifts joined the League in 1892; after finishing bottom in 1901 they merged with Burton Wanderers and formed Burton United.
- 1892-93 - Elected to Second Division
- 1900-01 - Merge with Burton Wanderers to form Burton United who replace Swifts in Second Division
[edit] Burton United
Burton United formed in 1901 when Burton Swifts merged with Burton Wanderers, and took Swifts place in the Second Division. Burton United dropped out of the League in 1907 and folded in 1910. Today for all practical purposes Burton Albion has taken over local football since 1950.
- 1901-02 - Burton United take Burton Swifts' place in Second Division
- 1906-07 - Finish bottom of Second Division and fail to gain re-election to the Football League
[edit] Burton Wanderers
Burton Wanderers joined the League in 1894 but dropped out after just three seasons. They later merged with Burton Swifts to form Burton United in 1901.
[edit] Cambridge United
Cambridge United were in the Football League between 1970 and 2005, and made it to the second tier of the Football Pyramid on two occasions. They currently play in the Football Conference.
- 1970-71 - Elected to Fourth Division
- 1972-73 - Finish third in Fourth Division, promoted to Third Division
- 1973-74 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1976-77 - Champions of Fourth Division, promoted to Third Division
- 1977-78 - Runners-Up in Third Division, promoted to Second Division
- 1984-85 - Relegated to Third Division
- 1985-86 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1989-90 - Promoted via Fourth Division Play-Offs
- 1990-91 - Champions of Third Division, promoted to Second Division
- 1991-92 - Reach Second Division Play-Offs
- 1992-93 - League restructure. Third Division becomes Second Division. Relegated to Second Division
- 1994-95 - Relegated to Third Division
- 1998-99 - Runners-Up in Third Division, promoted to Second Division
- 2001-02 - Relegated to Third Division
- 2004-05 - League restructure. Third Division becomes League Two. Relegated from Football League
[edit] Darwen
Darwen hold several places in the history of English football. They are thought to be the first club to install electric floodlights, they may have been the first to employ professional players and they also appeared in three FA Cup Quarter-Finals and one Semi-Final. They were Football League members between 1891 and 1899, and are currently playing in the North West Counties League.
- 1891-92 - Elected to the Football League. Finish bottom of First Division and become founder member of Second Division. Suffer a 12-0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion which is still a record in the top Division
- 1892-93 - Finish third in Second Division and promoted after a 'test match' against Notts County
- 1893-94 - Relegated to Second Division after losing 'test match' against Small Heath
- 1898-99 - Finish bottom of Second Division and do not seek to be re-elected to the Football League
[edit] Durham City
Durham City played in the League between 1921 and 1928. The club folded in 1938, but a reformed club of the same name play in the Northern League.
- 1921-22 - Founder members of Third Division (North)
- 1927-28 - Fail to gain re-election to the Football League
[edit] Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity played in the League between 1896 and 1912. They still exist today and compete in the Football Conference North.
- 1896-97 - Elected to Football League Second Division
- 1911-12 - Finish bottom of Second Division and do not seek to be re-elected to the Football League
[edit] Gateshead A.F.C.
South Shields joined the League in 1919. They moved to Gateshead in 1930 and became Gateshead A.F.C.. Gateshead continuing in the Second Division, but were not re-elected to the Football League in 1960 and folded in the early 1970s. A new Gateshead F.C. plays in the Northern Premier League, while a revived South Shields compete in the Northern League.
- 1919-20 - Elected to Football League Second Division
- 1928-29 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Move to Gateshead and become Gateshead A.F.C.
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1949-50 - Division Three North Runners-Up
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in Fourth Division
- 1959-60 - Finished third bottom but were not re-elected to the Football League
[edit] Glossop (North End)
Glossop North End played in the League between 1898 and 1915. They currently play in the North West Counties League.
- 1898-99 - Elected to Second Division, promoted to First Division
- 1899-00 - Changed name to Glossop F.C. Relegated to Second Division
- 1914-15 - Finish bottom of Second Division and fail to gain re-election to the Football League
[edit] Halifax Town
Halifax Town spent over 70 years as a Football League team, between 1921 and 1993, before dropping in to the Football Conference. It did not take them long to return but their second stint as a Football League team (between 1998 and 2002) was short-lived. They played in the Football Conference until 2007-08, and are currently under a possible collapse process that may see them reform at a lower level.
- 1921-22 - Elected to Football League Third Division (North)
- 1934-35 - Third Division (North) Runners-Up
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in Third Division
- 1962-63 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1968-69 - Fourth Division Runners-Up. Promoted to Third Division
- 1975-76 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1992-93 - League restructure. Fourth Division becomes Third Division. Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Football Conference.
- 1998-99 - Promoted to Third Division
- 2001-02 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Football Conference.
[edit] Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers league career was short lived, their highest position was tenth place in five seasons. They currently play in the Football Conference.
- 1999-00 - Promoted to Third Division
- 2004-05 - League restructure, Third Division becomes League Two. Relegated to Football Conference
[edit] Leeds City
Leeds City were once the leading club in the City of Leeds. When football restarted after the war an ex-player made complaints of payment irregularities at the club. This led to their results being expunged and the club being expelled from the league. Port Vale took their place and Leeds United were formed a year later.
- 1905-06 - Elected to Second Division
- 1914-18 - World War I
- 1919-20 - Results expunged and expelled from Football League
[edit] Loughborough
Loughborough joined the Football League in 1895. They dropped out of the league in 1900 and folded soon after.
- 1895-96 - Elected to Second Division
- 1899-00 - Finish bottom of Second Division and fail to gain re-election to Football League
[edit] Maidstone United
Maidstone United were promoted to the League in 1988 but lost their Football League status when the club folded through financial difficulties in 1992. The current Maidstone United team play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
- 1988-89 - Promoted to Fourth Division
- 1989-90 - Reach Fourth Division Play-Offs
- 1992-93 - Included in fixtures but after postponing the first game folded without playing a match
[edit] Merthyr Town
Merthyr Town were in the League between 1920 and 1930, and no longer exist. Today the unrelated Merthyr Tydfil represents the Welsh town in English football.
- 1920-21 - Founder members of Third Division (South).
- 1924-25 - Finish bottom of Third Division (South)
- 1929-30 - Finish bottom of Third Division (South) and fail to gain re-election to Football League
[edit] Middlesbrough Ironopolis
Middlesbrough Ironopolis was created by several members of local amateur side Middlesbrough FC. Ironopolis F.C. added "Middlesbrough" to the club's name when they gained election to the Football League in 1893. The club disbanded after the loss of its ground a year later.
- 1893-94 - Elected to the Second Division.
[edit] Nelson
Nelson, a small Lancashire team were in the League between 1921 and 1931. They still exist and are currently playing in the North West Counties League.
- 1921-22 - Founder members of Third Division (North)
- 1922-23 - Champions of Third Division (North). Promoted to Second Division
- 1923-24 - Finish bottom of Second Division. Relegated to Third Division (North)
- 1927-28 - Finish bottom of Third Division (North)
- 1930-31 - Finish bottom of Third Division (North) and fail to gain re-election to Football League
[edit] New Brighton
The New Brighton side that played in the Football League between 1923 and 1951 are not the same team that exist today.
- 1923-24 - Elected to Third Division (North)
- 1935-36 - Finish bottom of Third Division (North)
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1946-47 - Finish bottom of Third Division (North)
- 1950-51 - Finish bottom of Third Division (North) and fail to gain re-election to Football League
[edit] New Brighton Tower
New Brighton Tower were formed to play at an already built venue, and joined the League in 1898. They folded in 1901 when the cost of running a league team became too expensive for them.
[edit] Newport County
Newport County from Wales were a league team for almost 70 years, between 1920 and 1988. They were expelled from the Football Conference in March 1989, and never re-appeared. A new club, Newport A.F.C. were formed and changed their name to Newport County in 1999.
- 1920-21 - Founder members of Third Division (South)
- 1922-23 - Finish bottom of Third Division (South)
- 1930-31 - Finish one from bottom in Third Division (South) and fail to gain re-election to Football League
- 1932-33 - Re-elected to Third Division (South)
- 1938-39 - Champions of Third Division (South). Promoted to Second Division
- 1939-45 - World War II
- 1946-47 - Finish bottom of Second Division. Relegated to Third Division (South)
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in Third Division
- 1961-62 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1979-80 - Finish third in Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1986-87 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1987-88 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division. Relegated to Football Conference
[edit] Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria only spent two seasons in the Football League between 1892 and 1894, and are currently playing in the Conference National
- 1892-93 - Founder member of Second Division
- 1893-94 - Finish bottom of Second Division and do not apply for re-election
[edit] Oxford United
- 2005-06 - Relegated to Football Conference, along with Rushden & Diamonds.
Formed in 1893 as Headington United.
Elected to Football League in 1962 replacing Accrington Stanley.
Won Third Division Title in 1984, followed by Second Division Title following year.
- 1985-86 - Won Milk (League) Cup, beating Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Wembley Stadium.
[edit] Rotherham County
Rotherham County joined the League in 1919. In 1925 they merged with Rotherham Town (themselves a former League club) to form Rotherham United.
[edit] Rotherham Town
Rotherham Town spent three seasons in the League between 1893 and 1896. They later merged with Rotherham County to form Rotherham United.
[edit] Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds were promoted to the Football League from the Football Conference in 2001, but were relegated back in 2006.
[edit] Scarborough
Scarborough only spent twelve years as a Football League team between 1987 and 1999. They became defunct in 2007. A new club Scarborough Athletic F.C. now plays in the Northern Counties East League Division One.
- 1986-87 - Promoted to Fourth Division
- 1988-89 - Reach Fourth Division Play-Offs
- 1992-93 - League Restructure. Fourth Division becomes Third
- 1997-98 - Reach Third Division Play-Offs
- 1998-99 - Relegated to Football Conference
[edit] South Shields
See Gateshead A.F.C.
[edit] Southport
Southport were League members between 1921 and 1978, and are currently playing in the Football Conference.
- 1921-22 - Founder members of Third Division (North)
- 1930-31 - FA Cup Quarter-Finalists, losing 9-1 to Everton
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Third Division (North) becomes Fourth Division
- 1966-67 - Fourth Division Runners-Up, promoted to Third Division
- 1969-70 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1972-73 - Fourth Division Champions, promoted to Third Division
- 1973-74 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1977-78 - Fail to gain re-election to the Football League
[edit] Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic still exist. They are currently playing in the Football Conference North. They spent two seasons in the Football League between 1921 and 1923; lack of funds forced Stalybridge Celtic to resign from the Football League.
[edit] Thames
Thames joined the league in 1930 but left in 1932 and folded. Originally referred to as Thames Association F.C. but this was normally shortened to Thames A.F.C. when they were elected to the Football League. They were formed to play in the West Ham Stadium, which with a 120,000 capacity was probably the largest stadium to be regularly used in League Football.
- 1930-31 - Elected to Third Division (South)
- 1931-32 - Finish bottom of Third Division (South). Resign from Football League
[edit] Torquay United
Torquay United were relegated to the Football Conference in 2007 after 80 years in the League, thereby leaving Plymouth Argyle as the only League club from Devon until Exeter City gained promotion for the 2008-09 season. They were originally elected to replace Aberdare Athletic, above.
- 1927-28: Elected to Third Division (South)
- 1958-59: Forms Fourth Division
- 1959-60: Promoted to Third Division
- 1961-62: Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1990-91: Promoted to Third Division
- 1991-92: League restructured. Fourth Division becomes Third Division. Relegated to new Third Division
- 2003-04: League restructured. Third Division becomes League Two and Second Division becomes League One. Promoted to League One
- 2004-05: Relegated to League Two
- 2006-07: Relegated from League Two to Conference National.
[edit] Wigan Borough
Wigan Borough were elected in to the Football League in 1921, in an effort to promote football in towns where Rugby league was the main sport. Wigan Borough folded in 1931 due to debt. Today Wigan Athletic represents the town in League football.
- 1921-22 - Elected to Third Division North
- 1931-32 - Borough fold and are unable to fulfil all their league matches
[edit] Workington
Workington played in the League between 1951 and 1977, and still exist. They currently play in the Conference North.
- 1951-52 - Elected to Third Division (North)
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in Fourth Division.
- 1963-64 - Finish third in Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1966-67 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1975-76 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division
- 1976-77 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division and fail to gain re-election to Football League
[edit] Wrexham
Wrexham, in Wales, played in the League from 1921 until their relegation to the Conference National in 2008.
- 1921-22 - Founding member of Third Division North
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in unified Third Division
- 1959-60 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1965-66 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division
- 1969-70 - Fourth Division Runners-up. Promoted to Third Division
- 1977-78 - Third Division Champions. Promoted to Second Division
- 1981-82 - Relegated to Third Division
- 1982-83 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1988-89 - Reach Fourth Division Play-Offs
- 1990-91 - Finish bottom of Fourth Division but are not relegated due to League expansion
- 1992-93 - League restructure. Fourth Division becomes Third Division and Third Division becomes Second Division. Third Division Runners-up. Promoted to Second Division
- 2001-02 - Relegated to Third Division
- 2004-05 - League restructure. Third Division becomes League Two.
- 2007-08 - Finish bottom of League Two. Relegated to Football Conference
[edit] York City
York City were a league team for just over 70 years, between 1929 and 2004, and are currently playing in the Football Conference.
- 1929-30 - Elected to Third Division (North)
- 1958-59 - League restructure. Placed in Fourth Division. Finish third in Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1959-60 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1964-65 - Finish third in Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1965-66 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1970-71 - Finish fourth in Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1973-74 - Finish third in Third Division. Promoted to Second Division
- 1975-76 - Relegated to Third Division
- 1976-77 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1983-84 - Champions of Fourth Division. Promoted to Third Division
- 1987-88 - Relegated to Fourth Division
- 1992-93 - League restructure. Fourth Division becomes Third Division. Promoted to Second Division via Play-Offs
- 1993-94 - Reach Second Division Play-Offs
- 1998-99 - Relegated to Third Division
- 2003-04 - Finish bottom of Third Division. Relegated to Football Conference
[edit] See also
- List of former Scottish Football League clubs - for a similar list north of the border.
