1898–99 Southern Football League

The 1898-99 season was the fifth in the history of the Southern League. This season saw the expansion of Division One up to 14 teams and creation of Division Two South-West, though it was disbanded at the end of the season after all its clubs left. No Southern League clubs applied for promotion to the Football League. Southampton were Division One champions for the third season in a row. Overall Division Two champions being decided in a playoff in which Thames Ironworks defeated Cowes 3-1 at The Den.[1]

Division One

Southern Football League Division One
Season 1898–99
Champions Southampton (3rd title)
Promoted none
Relegated Warmley (resigned)
Matches played 156
Goals scored 506 (3.24 per match)

A total of 14 teams contest the division, including ten sides from previous season and four new teams.

Teams promoted from Division Two:

Newly elected teams:

PosClubPWDLGFGAGAv1Pts2Notes
1Southampton24155454242.2535
2Bristol City24153655331.6733
3Millwall Athletic24126659351.6930
4Chatham Town24108632231.3928
5Reading2498731241.2926
6New Brompton24105938301.2725
7Tottenham Hotspur241041040361.1124
8Bedminster241041035390.924
9Swindon Town24951043490.8823
10Brighton United24921337480.7720
11Gravesend United24751242520.8119
12Sheppey United24531623530.4313Relegation test matches
13Royal Artillery24441617600.2812Relegation test matches, changed name to Portsmouth at end of season
14Warmley00000000Resigned from League after 17 matches, record expunged

1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season.

2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Division Two London

Southern Football League Division Two London
Season 1898–99
Champions Thames Ironworks
Promoted none
Relegated St Albans (folded)
Uxbridge (resigned)
Matches played 132
Goals scored 597 (4.52 per match)

Division Two London was formed on basis of previous season Division Two. A total of 12 teams contest the division, including eight sides from previous season and four new teams.

Team relegated from Division One:

Newly elected teams:

PosClubPWDLGFGAGAv1Pts2Notes
1Thames Ironworks2219126416439Promotion test matches
2Wolverton L&NWR22134588432.0530
3Watford22142662351.7730
4Brentford22113859391.5125
5Wycombe Wanderers221021055570.9622
6Southall221101144550.822
7Chesham22921145620.7320Changed name to Chesham Town at end of season
8St Albans22831145590.7619Folded at end of season
9Shepherds Bush22731237530.717
10Fulham22641236440.8216
11Uxbridge22721329480.616Left league at end of season
12Maidenhead22321733860.388

1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season.

2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Division Two South-West

Southern Football League Division Two South-West
Season 1898–99
Champions Cowes
Promoted none
Relegated league disbanded
Matches played 30
Goals scored 160 (5.33 per match)

Division Two South-West was newly formed and short-lived formation. At the end of the season division was liquidated and the League returned to 2-division structure.

PosClubPWDLGFGAGAv1Pts2Notes
1Cowes10100052105.220Promotion test matches
2Ryde1070330112.7314Left league at end of season
3Freemantle1050521320.6610Left league at end of season
4Sandown Bay1040622340.658Left league at end of season
5Eastleigh1020819320.594Left league at end of season
6Andover1020816410.394Left league at end of season
7East Lancs Regiment00000000Resigned from league after three matches, record expunged
8Trowbridge Town00000000Resigned from league after three matches, record expunged

1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season.

2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Promotion-relegation test matches

At the end of the season, test matches were held between the bottom two clubs in Division One and the top club in both Division Twos. Royal Artillery lost 4-1 to Cowes, but remained in Division One after reforming as Portsmouth, whilst Cowes were promoted. Sheppey United and Thames Ironworks drew 1-1, leading to Sheppey remaining in Division One and Thames Ironworks joining them.[1]


Division One clubs v Division Two clubs

References

  1. 1 2 Thames Ironworks at the Football Club History Database
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