The 1888–89 season was the 18th season of competitive association football in England.
Overview A new competition, The Football League, started this season. The Football League was open to clubs all over the United Kingdom, but the first twelve entrants (Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke (now Stoke City), West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers) were all from the Midlands or North of England (in later years the competition became the de facto English league, though some clubs from outside England still compete in it). Each club in the League played each other twice (once at home and once away) and would be awarded two points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. From these points, a league table was drawn up. Preston North End were in first place at the end of the season and thus became the first ever Football League champions. They did not lose a match all season (a feat only accomplished once since, by Arsenal in 2003–04) and also won the FA Cup.
The Football League is still going today and now has 72 clubs in three divisions (down from an all-time high of 92 clubs in four divisions). Since the 1992–93 season, it has become only the second-most important league competition, behind the FA Premier League in the English football league system.
Events Sheffield United F.C. formed on 22 March 1889 from the Sheffield United Cricket Club in a meeting at the Adelphi Hotel. They played their home matches at Bramall Lane
National team
England finished second in the 1888–89 British Home Championship, which was won by Scotland.
John Yates, of Burnley, scored 3 goals against Ireland in his only appearance for England.
DateVenueHome teamVisitorsScore CompEngland scorers23 Feb 1889 Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent 4–1BHC Billy Bassett (West Bromwich Albion), John Goodall (Preston North End), Jack Southworth (Blackburn Rovers) and Fred Dewhurst (Preston North End)2 Mar 1889 Anfield, Liverpool 6–1BHC Alf Shelton (Notts County), John Yates (Burnley) (3), Joe Lofthouse (Accrington) and John Brodie (Wolverhampton Wanderers)13 Apr 1889 Kennington Oval, London 2–3BHC Billy Bassett (West Bromwich Albion) (15, 17 mins)
Key BHC = 1888–89 British Home Championship
1889 British Home Championship table
Honours CompetitionWinnerFA CupPreston North End (1st FA Cup title)The Football LeaguePreston North End (1st English title)*
* Indicates new record for competition
FA Cup
Final
DateHome teamVisitorsScoreVenue 30 Mar 1889 Preston North End Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 Kennington Oval
The Football League
League table
Stadia and locations
Team Location Stadium Stadium capacity Accrington Accrington Thorneyholme Road n/a Aston Villa Birmingham Wellington Road (Perry Barr) n/a Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Leamington Road 600–700 Bolton Wanderers Bolton Pike's Lane n/a Burnley Burnley Turf Moor n/a Derby County Derby Racecourse Ground n/a Everton Liverpool Anfield n/a Notts County Nottingham Trent Bridge Cricket Ground n/a Preston North End Preston Deepdale n/a Stoke Stoke-on-Trent Victoria Ground n/a West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Stoney Lane n/a Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Dudley Road n/a
Top scorers RankScorerClubGoalsMatches playedGoals per match1 John Goodall Preston North End 21211.002 James D. RossPreston North End18210.863 Albert AllenAston Villa17210.814 John SouthworthBlackburn Rovers16210.76 Harry WoodWolverhampton Wanderers16170.946 Thomas GreenAston Villa14210.677 James BroganBolton Wanderers13220.59 David WeirBolton Wanderers13220.599 Frederick DewhurstPreston North End12170.71 Herbert L. FecittBlackburn Rovers12170.71 Alexander BarbourAccrington12190.63 Alexander HigginsDerby County12210.57 Thomas PearsonWest Bromwich Albion12220.55 Fußball-Weltzeitschrift No. 10, Jan/Feb 1988.
References
External links Details of England v Wales game Details of England v Ireland game Details of England v Scotland game