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The history of football (part 3)

The end of the first full season of the 20th century saw the League title go to LIVERPOOL.Their first of many.
The following season saw Bristol City admitted to the second division. Nevertheless the North and Midlands still had what appeared to be a stranglehold on the leagues by virtue of sheer numbers.

1905/06 saw both divisions increased to 20 teams. New sides included, Chelsea and Leyton Orient.
New sides being invited to join the league were few and far between, although London’s tally was increased when Fulham and then Spurs were enrolled between 1907 and 1909. Spurs did extremely well in their first season finishing just one point behind Bolton, in second place and earning promotion at their first attempt. Spurs had already racked-up a first in 1901 being the first Non-League club to win the F.A Cup, since the birth of the Football League. Southampton were beaten finalists the previous and following seasons, whilst in the same position as Spurs.

There were no more Southern clubs admitted to the league before the advent of the Great War. The League ceased to operate after the end of the 1914/15 season until 1919/20 season.

The first season after the war ended, wasn’t too old before Leeds City were EXPELLED from the second division after just eight games. They were found guilty of financial irregularities, including paying players during the war period. Ultimately the club was dissolved. Their place, and record in the league was given to Port Vale. The following season Leeds United was formed. They found themselves in the Second Division for season 1920/21.

When the League resumed after the war, the two divisons were increased to 22 teams each. There was still an imbalance regarding southern teams and for the season 1920/21 a third division was introduced, comprising twenty two teams. This comprised almost entirely of the first division of the Southern League. The following season this division was entitled Third Division South and a Third Division North was formed. This division only comprised of twenty teams. It was however increased the following season to twenty-two teams. Only one team from each Third Division was promoted.  In season 1923/24 Liverpool failed in their effort to win a third consecutive championship. it would have been a "First". However, it wasn’t long before this remarkable feat was accomplished. Huddersfield Town equalled Liverpool’s effort in the next two seasons and then went one better to claim the first ever "Triple".

In 1930/31 Everton won the Second Division title and promotion to the top flight. The following season they won the First Division title two points clear of Arsenal. No mean feat in itself. It did however rob Arsenal of what would have been a "Five-Timer". As they had won the previous season’s title and then the next three, after Everton’s success.  Arsenal were without doubt The team of the decade. They again finished top of the pile in 1937/38. Their old enemy Everton were successful the following year, the last full season before the start of the Second World War.

Next time there’s some F.A.Cup stats to catch-up with.