1888–89 in English football


The 1888–1889 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 were all from the Midlands or North of England. Each club in the League played each other twice 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 and also won the FA Cup.
The Football League is still going today and now has 72 clubs in three 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

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 teamVisitorsScoreCompEngland scorers
23 Feb 1889Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent4–1BHCBilly Bassett, John Goodall, Jack Southworth & Fred Dewhurst
2 Mar 1889Anfield, Liverpool6–1BHCAlf Shelton, John Yates , Joe Lofthouse & John Brodie
13 Apr 1889Kennington Oval, London2–3BHCBilly Bassett

Key

Honours

Final

DateHome teamVisitorsScoreVenue
30 Mar 1889Preston North EndWolverhampton Wanderers3–0Kennington Oval

The Football League

League table

Stadia and locations

TeamLocationStadiumStadium capacity
AccringtonAccringtonThorneyholme Roadn/a
Aston VillaBirminghamWellington Road n/a
Blackburn RoversBlackburnLeamington Road600–700
Bolton WanderersBoltonPike’s Lanen/a
BurnleyBurnleyTurf Moorn/a
Derby CountyDerbyRacecourse Groundn/a
EvertonLiverpoolAnfieldn/a
Notts CountyNottinghamTrent Bridge Cricket Groundn/a
Preston North EndPrestonDeepdalen/a
StokeStoke-on-TrentVictoria Groundn/a
West Bromwich AlbionWest BromwichStoney Lanen/a
Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhamptonDudley Roadn/a

Top scorers