1896–97 Football League#First Division
{{Short description|9th season of the Football League}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = The Football League
| season = 1896–97
| winners = Aston Villa
| promoted =
| relegated = Burton Wanderers
| continentalcup1 = New club in league
| continentalcup1 qualifiers = Blackpool,
Gainsborough Trinity,
Walsall
| prevseason = 1895–96
| nextseason = 1897–98
}}
The 1896–97 season was the ninth season of The Football League.
Final league tables
Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season.
During the first six seasons of the league, (up to the 1893–94 season), re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league.
First Division
{{infobox football league season
| competition = First Division
| season = 1896–97
| winners = Aston Villa
3rd English title
| relegated = Burnley
| league topscorer = Steve Bloomer
(22 goals){{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engtops.html|title=English League Leading Goalscorers|website=RSSSF|access-date=2010-10-31}}
| biggest home win = {{nowrap|Derby County 8–1 West Bromwich Albion}}
(25 December 1896)
{{nowrap|Sheffield United 7–0 Blackburn Rovers}}
(9 January 1897)
| biggest away win = {{nowrap|Blackburn Rovers 1–5 Aston Villa}}
(28 November 1896)
| highest scoring = {{nowrap|Derby County 7–2 Bury}}
(26 September 1896)
{{nowrap|Derby County 8–1 West Bromwich Albion}}
(25 December 1896)
{{nowrap|Everton 6–3 West Bromwich Albion}}
(17 April 1897)
| matches = 240
| total goals = 751
| longest wins = 6 matches
Everton
| longest unbeaten = 12 matches
Aston Villa
| longest losses = 6 matches
Everton
| highest attendance = 40,000
{{nowrap|Everton 2–1 Liverpool}}
(3 October 1896)
| lowest attendance = 1,000
{{nowrap|Nottingham Forest 4–1 Burnley}}
(24 October 1896)
{{nowrap|Sheffield United 7–0 Blackburn Rovers}}
(9 January 1897)
| average attendance = 7,734
| prevseason = 1895–96
| nextseason = 1897–98
}}
|section=First Division
|source=[https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/eng-premier-league-1896-1897-spieltag/30/ World Football]
|team_order=AVL, SHU, DER, PNE, LIV, THW, EVE, BOL, BRY, WOL, NFO, WBA, STK, BLA, SUN, BUR
|result1=1st |result15=TSM |result16=TSM
|update=complete
|win_AVL=21|draw_AVL=5 |loss_AVL=4 |gf_AVL=73|ga_AVL=38
|win_BLA=11|draw_BLA=3 |loss_BLA=16|gf_BLA=35|ga_BLA=62
|win_BOL=12|draw_BOL=6 |loss_BOL=12|gf_BOL=40|ga_BOL=43
|win_BUR=6 |draw_BUR=7 |loss_BUR=17|gf_BUR=43|ga_BUR=61
|win_BRY=10|draw_BRY=10|loss_BRY=10|gf_BRY=39|ga_BRY=44
|win_DER=16|draw_DER=4 |loss_DER=10|gf_DER=70|ga_DER=50
|win_EVE=14|draw_EVE=3 |loss_EVE=13|gf_EVE=62|ga_EVE=57
|win_LIV=12|draw_LIV=9 |loss_LIV=9 |gf_LIV=46|ga_LIV=38
|win_NFO=9 |draw_NFO=8 |loss_NFO=13|gf_NFO=44|ga_NFO=49
|win_PNE=11|draw_PNE=12|loss_PNE=7 |gf_PNE=55|ga_PNE=40
|win_SHU=13|draw_SHU=10|loss_SHU=7 |gf_SHU=42|ga_SHU=29
|win_STK=11|draw_STK=3 |loss_STK=16|gf_STK=48|ga_STK=59
|win_SUN=7 |draw_SUN=9 |loss_SUN=14|gf_SUN=34|ga_SUN=47
|win_THW=10|draw_THW=11|loss_THW=9 |gf_THW=42|ga_THW=37
|win_WBA=10|draw_WBA=6 |loss_WBA=14|gf_WBA=33|ga_WBA=56
|win_WOL=11|draw_WOL=6 |loss_WOL=13|gf_WOL=45|ga_WOL=41
|status_AVL=C
|status_SUN=O
|status_BUR=R
|name_AVL=Aston Villa
|name_BLA=Blackburn Rovers
|name_BOL=Bolton Wanderers
|name_BUR=Burnley
|name_BRY=Bury
|name_DER=Derby County
|name_EVE=Everton
|name_LIV=Liverpool
|name_NFO=Nottingham Forest
|name_PNE=Preston North End
|name_SHU=Sheffield United
|name_STK=Stoke
|name_SUN=Sunderland
|name_THW=The Wednesday
|name_WBA=West Bromwich Albion
|name_WOL=Wolverhampton Wanderers
|show_limit=5
|winpoints=2
|use_goal_average=y
|class_rules=1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
|res_col_header=R
|col_1st=yellow
|col_TSM=red1 |text_TSM=Qualification for test matches
}}
=Results=
{{#invoke:Sports results|main
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|team1=AST|team2=BLB|team3=BOL|team4=BUR|team5=BRY
|team6=DER|team7=EVE|team8=LIV|team9=NOT|team10=PNE
|team11=SHU|team12=STK|team13=SUN|team14=WED|team15=WBA
|team16=WOL
|name_AST=Aston Villa
|match_AST_BLB=3–0
|match_AST_BOL=6–2
|match_AST_BUR=0–3
|match_AST_BRY=1–1
|match_AST_DER=2–1
|match_AST_EVE=1–2
|match_AST_LIV=0–0
|match_AST_NOT=3–2
|match_AST_PNE=3–1
|match_AST_SHU=2–2
|match_AST_STK=2–1
|match_AST_SUN=2–1
|match_AST_WED=4–0
|match_AST_WBA=2–0
|match_AST_WOL=5–0
|name_BLB=Blackburn Rovers
|match_BLB_AST=1–5
|match_BLB_BOL=1–0
|match_BLB_BUR=3–2
|match_BLB_BRY=1–2
|match_BLB_DER=5–2
|match_BLB_EVE=4–2
|match_BLB_LIV=1–0
|match_BLB_NOT=0–0
|match_BLB_PNE=0–4
|match_BLB_SHU=1–3
|match_BLB_STK=2–1
|match_BLB_SUN=1–2
|match_BLB_WED=4–0
|match_BLB_WBA=1–2
|match_BLB_WOL=2–0
|name_BOL=Bolton Wanderers
|match_BOL_AST=1–2
|match_BOL_BLB=0–0
|match_BOL_BUR=2–1
|match_BOL_BRY=2–0
|match_BOL_DER=1–3
|match_BOL_EVE=2–0
|match_BOL_LIV=1–4
|match_BOL_NOT=0–0
|match_BOL_PNE=3–1
|match_BOL_SHU=0–2
|match_BOL_STK=4–0
|match_BOL_SUN=1–0
|match_BOL_WED=2–1
|match_BOL_WBA=2–2
|match_BOL_WOL=1–2
|name_BUR=Burnley
|match_BUR_AST=3–4
|match_BUR_BLB=0–1
|match_BUR_BOL=0–2
|match_BUR_BRY=1–0
|match_BUR_DER=2–3
|match_BUR_EVE=2–1
|match_BUR_LIV=4–1
|match_BUR_NOT=2–2
|match_BUR_PNE=2–2
|match_BUR_SHU=1–1
|match_BUR_STK=1–3
|match_BUR_SUN=1–1
|match_BUR_WED=1–1
|match_BUR_WBA=5–0
|match_BUR_WOL=0–3
|name_BRY=Bury
|match_BRY_AST=0–2
|match_BRY_BLB=3–0
|match_BRY_BOL=2–2
|match_BRY_BUR=1–1
|match_BRY_DER=1–0
|match_BRY_EVE=3–1
|match_BRY_LIV=1–2
|match_BRY_NOT=2–0
|match_BRY_PNE=0–0
|match_BRY_SHU=0–1
|match_BRY_STK=4–2
|match_BRY_SUN=1–1
|match_BRY_WED=1–1
|match_BRY_WBA=3–0
|match_BRY_WOL=3–2
|name_DER=Derby County
|match_DER_AST=1–3
|match_DER_BLB=6–0
|match_DER_BOL=1–0
|match_DER_BUR=3–2
|match_DER_BRY=7–2
|match_DER_EVE=0–1
|match_DER_LIV=3–2
|match_DER_NOT=1–1
|match_DER_PNE=2–2
|match_DER_SHU=1–3
|match_DER_STK=5–1
|match_DER_SUN=1–0
|match_DER_WED=2–1
|match_DER_WBA=8–1
|match_DER_WOL=4–3
|name_EVE=Everton
|match_EVE_AST=2–3
|match_EVE_BLB=0–3
|match_EVE_BOL=2–3
|match_EVE_BUR=6–0
|match_EVE_BRY=1–2
|match_EVE_DER=5–2
|match_EVE_LIV=2–1
|match_EVE_NOT=3–1
|match_EVE_PNE=3–4
|match_EVE_SHU=1–2
|match_EVE_STK=4–2
|match_EVE_SUN=5–2
|match_EVE_WED=2–1
|match_EVE_WBA=6–3
|match_EVE_WOL=0–0
|name_LIV=Liverpool
|match_LIV_AST=3–3
|match_LIV_BLB=4–0
|match_LIV_BOL=0–2
|match_LIV_BUR=1–2
|match_LIV_BRY=3–1
|match_LIV_DER=2–0
|match_LIV_EVE=0–0
|match_LIV_NOT=3–0
|match_LIV_PNE=0–0
|match_LIV_SHU=0–0
|match_LIV_STK=1–0
|match_LIV_SUN=3–0
|match_LIV_WED=2–2
|match_LIV_WBA=0–0
|match_LIV_WOL=3–0
|name_NOT=Nottingham Forest
|match_NOT_AST=2–4
|match_NOT_BLB=2–1
|match_NOT_BOL=2–0
|match_NOT_BUR=4–1
|match_NOT_BRY=3–0
|match_NOT_DER=1–2
|match_NOT_EVE=3–0
|match_NOT_LIV=2–0
|match_NOT_PNE=0–0
|match_NOT_SHU=2–2
|match_NOT_STK=4–0
|match_NOT_SUN=2–1
|match_NOT_WED=2–2
|match_NOT_WBA=0–1
|match_NOT_WOL=1–2
|name_PNE=Preston North End
|match_PNE_AST=0–1
|match_PNE_BLB=3–1
|match_PNE_BOL=2–3
|match_PNE_BUR=5–3
|match_PNE_BRY=2–2
|match_PNE_DER=0–2
|match_PNE_EVE=4–1
|match_PNE_LIV=1–1
|match_PNE_NOT=3–2
|match_PNE_SHU=1–0
|match_PNE_STK=3–0
|match_PNE_SUN=5–3
|match_PNE_WED=2–2
|match_PNE_WBA=0–0
|match_PNE_WOL=4–0
|name_SHU=Sheffield United
|match_SHU_AST=0–0
|match_SHU_BLB=7–0
|match_SHU_BOL=1–0
|match_SHU_BUR=1–0
|match_SHU_BRY=2–2
|match_SHU_DER=2–2
|match_SHU_EVE=1–2
|match_SHU_LIV=1–1
|match_SHU_NOT=0–3
|match_SHU_PNE=0–2
|match_SHU_STK=1–0
|match_SHU_SUN=3–0
|match_SHU_WED=2–0
|match_SHU_WBA=0–1
|match_SHU_WOL=1–3
|name_STK=Stoke
|match_STK_AST=0–2
|match_STK_BLB=1–0
|match_STK_BOL=2–3
|match_STK_BUR=3–2
|match_STK_BRY=3–0
|match_STK_DER=2–2
|match_STK_EVE=2–3
|match_STK_LIV=6–1
|match_STK_NOT=3–0
|match_STK_PNE=2–1
|match_STK_SHU=2–0
|match_STK_SUN=0–1
|match_STK_WED=0–0
|match_STK_WBA=2–2
|match_STK_WOL=2–1
|name_SUN=Sunderland
|match_SUN_AST=4–2
|match_SUN_BLB=0–1
|match_SUN_BOL=1–1
|match_SUN_BUR=1–1
|match_SUN_BRY=0–1
|match_SUN_DER=1–2
|match_SUN_EVE=1–1
|match_SUN_LIV=4–3
|match_SUN_NOT=2–2
|match_SUN_PNE=1–1
|match_SUN_SHU=0–1
|match_SUN_STK=4–1
|match_SUN_WED=0–0
|match_SUN_WBA=2–1
|match_SUN_WOL=0–3
|name_WED=The Wednesday
|match_WED_AST=1–3
|match_WED_BLB=6–0
|match_WED_BOL=0–0
|match_WED_BUR=1–0
|match_WED_BRY=2–0
|match_WED_DER=2–0
|match_WED_EVE=4–1
|match_WED_LIV=1–2
|match_WED_NOT=3–0
|match_WED_PNE=1–0
|match_WED_SHU=1–1
|match_WED_STK=4–3
|match_WED_SUN=0–0
|match_WED_WBA=3–1
|match_WED_WOL=0–0
|name_WBA=West Bromwich Albion
|match_WBA_AST=3–1
|match_WBA_BLB=1–0
|match_WBA_BOL=1–0
|match_WBA_BUR=3–0
|match_WBA_BRY=0–0
|match_WBA_DER=1–4
|match_WBA_EVE=1–4
|match_WBA_LIV=0–1
|match_WBA_NOT=4–0
|match_WBA_PNE=1–1
|match_WBA_SHU=0–1
|match_WBA_STK=1–2
|match_WBA_SUN=1–0
|match_WBA_WED=0–2
|match_WBA_WOL=1–0
|name_WOL=Wolverhampton Wanderers
|match_WOL_AST=1–2
|match_WOL_BLB=1–1
|match_WOL_BOL=4–0
|match_WOL_BUR=2–0
|match_WOL_BRY=1–1
|match_WOL_DER=1–0
|match_WOL_EVE=0–1
|match_WOL_LIV=1–2
|match_WOL_NOT=4–1
|match_WOL_PNE=1–1
|match_WOL_SHU=1–1
|match_WOL_STK=1–2
|match_WOL_SUN=0–1
|match_WOL_WED=2–0
|match_WOL_WBA=6–1
|update=complete
|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1896-97.html]
}}
=Maps=
{{location map+|England |float=none |width=369 |caption=Locations of the Football League First Division teams|places=
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.49 |long=-1.88 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.75 |long=-2.48 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.59 |long=-2.56 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.79 |long=-2.25 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.58 |long=-2.295|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.92 |long=-1.476|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.48 |long=-2.97 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.53 |long=-2.99 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.942|long=-1.137|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.75 |long=-2.7 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.00 |long=-2.18 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=54.914|long=-1.388|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.38 | long=-1.47|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.32 | long=-1.47|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.509|long=-1.964|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.59 |long=-2.13 |label=|position=right}}
}}
Second Division
{{infobox football league season
| competition = Second Division
| season = 1896–97
| winners = Notts County
| promoted = Notts County
| relegated = Burton Wanderers
| league topscorer = John Murphy
Tom Boucher
(22 goals each){{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engtops.html|title=English League Leading Goalscorers|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=2010-09-22}}
| biggest home win = {{nowrap|Darwen 12–0 Walsall}}
(26 December 1896)
| biggest away win = {{nowrap|Walsall 1–6 Small Heath}}
(24 October 1896)
| highest scoring = {{nowrap|Darwen 12–0 Walsall}}
(26 December 1896)
| matches = 240
| total goals = 907
| longest wins = 6 matches
Notts County
Small Heath
| longest unbeaten = 10 matches
Newton Heath
| longest losses = 12 matches
Lincoln City
| highest attendance =
| lowest attendance =
| average attendance =
| prevseason = 1895–96
| nextseason = 1897–98
}}
|section=Second Division
|source=
|team_order=NTC, NEH, GRI, SMH, NEW, MCI, GAI, BLP, LEF, WOO, DRW, WAL, LOU, BSW, BUW, LIN
|result1=TSM |result2=TSM |result14=RET |result15=REL |result16=RET
|update=complete
|win_BLP=13|draw_BLP=5 |loss_BLP=12|gf_BLP=59|ga_BLP=56
|win_BSW=9 |draw_BSW=6 |loss_BSW=15|gf_BSW=46|ga_BSW=61
|win_BUW=9 |draw_BUW=2 |loss_BUW=19|gf_BUW=31|ga_BUW=67
|win_DRW=14|draw_DRW=0 |loss_DRW=16|gf_DRW=67|ga_DRW=61
|win_GAI=12|draw_GAI=7 |loss_GAI=11|gf_GAI=50|ga_GAI=47
|win_GRI=17|draw_GRI=4 |loss_GRI=9 |gf_GRI=66|ga_GRI=45
|win_LEF=13|draw_LEF=4 |loss_LEF=13|gf_LEF=59|ga_LEF=57
|win_LIN=5 |draw_LIN=2 |loss_LIN=23|gf_LIN=27|ga_LIN=85
|win_LOU=12|draw_LOU=1 |loss_LOU=17|gf_LOU=50|ga_LOU=64
|win_MCI=12|draw_MCI=8 |loss_MCI=10|gf_MCI=58|ga_MCI=50
|win_NEW=17|draw_NEW=1 |loss_NEW=12|gf_NEW=56|ga_NEW=52
|win_NEH=17|draw_NEH=5 |loss_NEH=8 |gf_NEH=56|ga_NEH=34
|win_NTC=19|draw_NTC=4 |loss_NTC=7 |gf_NTC=92|ga_NTC=43
|win_SMH=16|draw_SMH=5 |loss_SMH=9 |gf_SMH=69|ga_SMH=47
|win_WAL=11|draw_WAL=4 |loss_WAL=15|gf_WAL=54|ga_WAL=69
|win_WOO=13|draw_WOO=4 |loss_WOO=13|gf_WOO=68|ga_WOO=70
|status_NTC=C, O, P
|status_BUW=R
|name_BLP=Blackpool
|name_BSW=Burton Swifts
|name_BUW=Burton Wanderers
|name_DRW=Darwen
|name_GAI=Gainsborough Trinity
|name_GRI=Grimsby Town
|name_LEF=Leicester Fosse
|name_LIN=Lincoln City
|name_LOU=Loughborough
|name_MCI=Manchester City
|name_NEW=Newcastle United
|name_NEH=Newton Heath
|name_NTC=Notts County
|name_SMH=Small Heath
|name_WAL=Walsall
|name_WOO=Woolwich Arsenal
|show_limit=5
|winpoints=2
|use_goal_average=y
|class_rules=1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
|res_col_header=QR
|col_TSM=green1 |text_TSM=Qualification for test matches
|col_RET= |text_RET=Re-elected
|col_REL=red1 |text_REL=Not re-elected
}}
=Results=
{{#invoke:Sports results|main
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|team1=BLP|team2=BRS|team3=BRW|team4=DRW|team5=GAI
|team6=GRI|team7=LEI|team8=LIN|team9=LOU|team10=MCI
|team11=NEW|team12=NWH|team13=NTC|team14=SMH|team15=WAL
|team16=WOO
|name_BLP=Blackpool
|match_BLP_BRS=3–0
|match_BLP_BRW=5–0
|match_BLP_DRW=1–0
|match_BLP_GAI=1–1
|match_BLP_GRI=1–0
|match_BLP_LEI=3–0
|match_BLP_LIN=3–1
|match_BLP_LOU=4–1
|match_BLP_MCI=2–2
|match_BLP_NEW=4–1
|match_BLP_NWH=4–2
|match_BLP_NTC=3–2
|match_BLP_SMH=1–3
|match_BLP_WAL=3–2
|match_BLP_WOO=1–1
|name_BRS=Burton Swifts
|match_BRS_BLP=2–0
|match_BRS_BRW=1–1
|match_BRS_DRW=2–0
|match_BRS_GAI=4–0
|match_BRS_GRI=0–0
|match_BRS_LEI=2–1
|match_BRS_LIN=4–0
|match_BRS_LOU=3–1
|match_BRS_MCI=5–0
|match_BRS_NEW=3–0
|match_BRS_NWH=3–5
|match_BRS_NTC=1–4
|match_BRS_SMH=1–1
|match_BRS_WAL=1–3
|match_BRS_WOO=1–2
|name_BRW=Burton Wanderers
|match_BRW_BLP=3–1
|match_BRW_BRS=1–0
|match_BRW_DRW=1–0
|match_BRW_GAI=3–2
|match_BRW_GRI=5–1
|match_BRW_LEI=2–1
|match_BRW_LIN=2–0
|match_BRW_LOU=0–1
|match_BRW_MCI=1–1
|match_BRW_NEW=0–1
|match_BRW_NWH=1–2
|match_BRW_NTC=0–3
|match_BRW_SMH=2–6
|match_BRW_WAL=1–0
|match_BRW_WOO=0–3
|name_DRW=Darwen
|match_DRW_BLP=2–3
|match_DRW_BRS=5–1
|match_DRW_BRW=3–0
|match_DRW_GAI=3–2
|match_DRW_GRI=3–1
|match_DRW_LEI=4–1
|match_DRW_LIN=4–1
|match_DRW_LOU=5–1
|match_DRW_MCI=3–1
|match_DRW_NEW=2–1
|match_DRW_NWH=0–2
|match_DRW_NTC=2–1
|match_DRW_SMH=2–0
|match_DRW_WAL=12–0
|match_DRW_WOO=4–1
|name_GAI=Gainsborough Trinity
|match_GAI_BLP=2–0
|match_GAI_BRS=4–1
|match_GAI_BRW=2–1
|match_GAI_DRW=2–4
|match_GAI_GRI=1–1
|match_GAI_LEI=0–2
|match_GAI_LIN=7–0
|match_GAI_LOU=2–0
|match_GAI_MCI=1–1
|match_GAI_NEW=2–0
|match_GAI_NWH=2–0
|match_GAI_NTC=3–2
|match_GAI_SMH=1–3
|match_GAI_WAL=2–0
|match_GAI_WOO=4–1
|name_GRI=Grimsby Town
|match_GRI_BLP=2–2
|match_GRI_BRS=3–0
|match_GRI_BRW=3–0
|match_GRI_DRW=4–2
|match_GRI_GAI=1–1
|match_GRI_LEI=4–1
|match_GRI_LIN=3–1
|match_GRI_LOU=8–1
|match_GRI_MCI=3–1
|match_GRI_NEW=3–2
|match_GRI_NWH=2–0
|match_GRI_NTC=3–1
|match_GRI_SMH=2–1
|match_GRI_WAL=0–1
|match_GRI_WOO=3–1
|name_LEI=Leicester Fosse
|match_LEI_BLP=2–1
|match_LEI_BRS=3–0
|match_LEI_BRW=2–1
|match_LEI_DRW=4–1
|match_LEI_GAI=0–0
|match_LEI_GRI=4–2
|match_LEI_LIN=4–1
|match_LEI_LOU=4–2
|match_LEI_MCI=3–3
|match_LEI_NEW=5–0
|match_LEI_NWH=1–0
|match_LEI_NTC=2–3
|match_LEI_SMH=0–1
|match_LEI_WAL=4–1
|match_LEI_WOO=6–3
|name_LIN=Lincoln City
|match_LIN_BLP=3–1
|match_LIN_BRS=1–1
|match_LIN_BRW=2–3
|match_LIN_DRW=1–0
|match_LIN_GAI=0–2
|match_LIN_GRI=0–3
|match_LIN_LEI=2–1
|match_LIN_LOU=0–2
|match_LIN_MCI=0–1
|match_LIN_NEW=1–2
|match_LIN_NWH=1–3
|match_LIN_NTC=1–1
|match_LIN_SMH=1–3
|match_LIN_WAL=2–1
|match_LIN_WOO=2–3
|name_LOU=Loughborough
|match_LOU_BLP=4–1
|match_LOU_BRS=0–2
|match_LOU_BRW=6–0
|match_LOU_DRW=4–2
|match_LOU_GAI=1–0
|match_LOU_GRI=1–4
|match_LOU_LEI=0–2
|match_LOU_LIN=3–0
|match_LOU_MCI=2–0
|match_LOU_NEW=3–0
|match_LOU_NWH=2–0
|match_LOU_NTC=0–1
|match_LOU_SMH=2–0
|match_LOU_WAL=1–2
|match_LOU_WOO=8–0
|name_MCI=Manchester City
|match_MCI_BLP=4–2
|match_MCI_BRS=3–1
|match_MCI_BRW=2–1
|match_MCI_DRW=4–1
|match_MCI_GAI=4–1
|match_MCI_GRI=3–1
|match_MCI_LEI=4–0
|match_MCI_LIN=3–0
|match_MCI_LOU=1–1
|match_MCI_NEW=1–2
|match_MCI_NWH=0–0
|match_MCI_NTC=1–4
|match_MCI_SMH=3–0
|match_MCI_WAL=5–0
|match_MCI_WOO=1–1
|name_NEW=Newcastle United
|match_NEW_BLP=4–1
|match_NEW_BRS=2–1
|match_NEW_BRW=3–0
|match_NEW_DRW=5–1
|match_NEW_GAI=1–2
|match_NEW_GRI=3–0
|match_NEW_LEI=3–1
|match_NEW_LIN=2–1
|match_NEW_LOU=4–1
|match_NEW_MCI=3–0
|match_NEW_NWH=2–0
|match_NEW_NTC=2–2
|match_NEW_SMH=4–3
|match_NEW_WAL=2–0
|match_NEW_WOO=2–0
|name_NWH=Newton Heath
|match_NWH_BLP=2–0
|match_NWH_BRS=1–1
|match_NWH_BRW=3–0
|match_NWH_DRW=3–1
|match_NWH_GAI=2–0
|match_NWH_GRI=4–2
|match_NWH_LEI=2–1
|match_NWH_LIN=3–1
|match_NWH_LOU=6–0
|match_NWH_MCI=2–1
|match_NWH_NEW=4–0
|match_NWH_NTC=1–1
|match_NWH_SMH=1–1
|match_NWH_WAL=2–0
|match_NWH_WOO=1–1
|name_NTC=Notts County
|match_NTC_BLP=3–1
|match_NTC_BRS=6–1
|match_NTC_BRW=5–0
|match_NTC_DRW=4–0
|match_NTC_GAI=2–0
|match_NTC_GRI=1–3
|match_NTC_LEI=6–0
|match_NTC_LIN=8–0
|match_NTC_LOU=3–1
|match_NTC_MCI=3–3
|match_NTC_NEW=3–1
|match_NTC_NWH=3–0
|match_NTC_SMH=1–2
|match_NTC_WAL=5–2
|match_NTC_WOO=7–4
|name_SMH=Small Heath
|match_SMH_BLP=1–3
|match_SMH_BRS=1–2
|match_SMH_BRW=3–2
|match_SMH_DRW=5–1
|match_SMH_GAI=2–2
|match_SMH_GRI=0–1
|match_SMH_LEI=2–2
|match_SMH_LIN=1–2
|match_SMH_LOU=3–0
|match_SMH_MCI=3–1
|match_SMH_NEW=3–1
|match_SMH_NWH=1–0
|match_SMH_NTC=3–1
|match_SMH_WAL=3–3
|match_SMH_WOO=5–2
|name_WAL=Walsall
|match_WAL_BLP=2–2
|match_WAL_BRS=5–2
|match_WAL_BRW=2–0
|match_WAL_DRW=4–0
|match_WAL_GAI=1–1
|match_WAL_GRI=0–1
|match_WAL_LEI=1–1
|match_WAL_LIN=5–0
|match_WAL_LOU=5–1
|match_WAL_MCI=3–2
|match_WAL_NEW=0–2
|match_WAL_NWH=2–3
|match_WAL_NTC=1–3
|match_WAL_SMH=1–6
|match_WAL_WOO=5–3
|name_WOO=Woolwich Arsenal
|match_WOO_BLP=4–2
|match_WOO_BRS=3–0
|match_WOO_BRW=3–0
|match_WOO_DRW=1–0
|match_WOO_GAI=6–1
|match_WOO_GRI=4–2
|match_WOO_LEI=2–1
|match_WOO_LIN=6–2
|match_WOO_LOU=2–0
|match_WOO_MCI=1–2
|match_WOO_NEW=5–1
|match_WOO_NWH=0–2
|match_WOO_NTC=2–3
|match_WOO_SMH=2–3
|match_WOO_WAL=1–1
|update=
|source= Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
}}
=Maps=
{{location map+|England |float=none |width=369 |caption=Locations of the Football League Second Division teams|places=
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.81 |long=-3.05 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.80 |long=-1.68 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.80 |long=-1.58 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.698|long=-2.461|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.40 |long=-0.77 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.56 |long=-0.068|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.62 |long=-1.14 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.23 |long=-0.54 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.47 |long=-2.22 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.47 |long=-2.30 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=54.98 |long=-1.62 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.942|long=-1.137|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.56 |long=-1.82 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.77 |long=-1.204|label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.58 |long=-1.98 |label=|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=51.50 |long=0.068 |label=|location=right}}
}}
Test Matches
The Football League test matches were a set of play-offs, in which the bottom First Division teams faced the top Second Division teams. Each First Division team plays both Second Division teams in a mini league format, the top two finishers would then be considered for election for First Division membership whilst the bottom two finishers would be invited to play in the Second Division.
The First Division teams, if finishing in the top two, would retain their places in the division. If a Second Division team does so, it would be considered for First Division membership through an election process. Bottom-two Second Division teams would stay in the Second Division.
=First round=
{{TwoLeg start}}
{{TwoLegResult|(2nd Div. Champions) Notts County| |1–0|Sunderland (1st Div. 15th)| |1–0
Sat 17 Apr|0–0
Mon 19 Apr}}
{{TwoLegResult|(1st Div. 16th) Burnley| |2–2|Newton Heath (2nd Div. 2nd)| |2–0
Mon 19 Apr|0–2
Wed 21 Apr|var1=1939}}
{{end}}
=Second round=
{{TwoLeg start}}
{{TwoLegResult|(1st Div. 16th) Burnley| |1–2|Notts County (2nd Div. Champions)| |0–1
Sat 24 Apr|1–1
Mon 26 Apr|var1=1939}}
{{TwoLegResult|(2nd Div. 2nd) Newton Heath| |1–3|Sunderland (1st Div. 15th)| |1–1
Sat 24 Apr|0–2
Mon 26 Apr|var1=1939}}
{{end}}
=Test match summary=
Reference works, such Encyclopedia of British FootballSoar, Phil & Tyler, Martin: Encyclopedia of British Football, Willow Books, London. Fourth, updated and revised edition, 1984, p. 168. and Association Football,A. H. Fabian & Green, Geoffrey: Association Football, Volume Two, p. 236. The Caxton Publishing Company Ltd., London, 1960. present the following table with the heading given above.
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|show_limit=5
|winpoints=2
|team1=NTC|name_NTC=Notts County
|team2=SUN|name_SUN=Sunderland
|team3=BUR|name_BUR=Burnley
|team4=NWH|name_NWH=Newton Heath
|win_NTC=2|draw_NTC=2|loss_NTC=0|gf_NTC=3|ga_NTC=1
|win_SUN=1|draw_SUN=2|loss_SUN=1|gf_SUN=3|ga_SUN=2
|win_BUR=1|draw_BUR=1|loss_BUR=2|gf_BUR=3|ga_BUR=4
|win_NWH=1|draw_NWH=1|loss_NWH=2|gf_NWH=3|ga_NWH=5
|col_D1=#FFFF99|text_D1=Elected to play in First Division
|result1=D1|result2=D1
|col_D2=#ffcccc|text_D2=Invited to play in Second Division
|result3=D2|result4=D2
|update=complete|source=
}}
=Test match consequences=
It is likely that the league decided on re-election to the First Division and on promotion and relegation on the basis of the summary table above.
- Notts County won both fixtures and were elected to play in the 1st Division the following season.
- Coming from the 2nd Division, Newton Heath apparently would have needed a win in order to advance. It appears that in this case, a draw, the preference was given to Burnley, who came to the test matches from a higher division.
- Sunderland salvaged through re-elections its position in the 1st Division, having won in the second round of the test matches. It was the fate of Newton Heath to remain in the 2nd Division.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}