The Football League 1888-1889
The Football League was the brainchild of a Scot, William McGregor, the chairman of Aston Villa, who called a meeting in March 1888 attended by Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Notts County, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, when it was resolved that a combination be formed and that Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Accrington and Everton be invited to join. Two leading amateur clubs of the period, Nottingham Forest and The Wednesday declined to take part. On 17th April, 1888, a further meeting was held in Manchester and the Football League was formally called into being.
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Accrington |
Aston Villa |
Blackburn Rovers |
Bolton Wanderers |
Burnley |
Derby County |
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Everton |
Notts County |
Preston North End |
Stoke |
West Bromwich Alb |
Wolverhampton W |