by Gary Kent

Created on: January 30, 2009   Last Updated: February 02, 2009

Contrary to a previous article, the English Football League was founded in 1888.

Prior to this, many organised Clubs, even the 'kickers' and 'hackers' of Victorian times came under the auspices of the English FA. That is, The English Football Association, which was formed in 1872 by Charles Alcock, a Birmingham businessman. This was done mainly to unify the numerous 'rules' that existed at that time.

It is universally recognised that the oldest football club in the world is Sheffield FC who were founded in 1855. The Club is still in existence today, although it has never enjoyed Football League status.

Anyway, this is how the English Football League began.

To the chagrin of every Englishman, the English Football League was the 'brainchild' of a Scot - William McGregor, who represented Aston Villa FC. After a meeting at Anderton's Hotel, London, on Thursday 22 march 1888, it was decided that a programme of 22 matches, which would allow a guaranteed income for the coming season, should commence. Each club would play the other eleven clubs home and away and this would constitute a 'season'.

From that meeting these were the original twelve clubs admitted to the League:-

Accrington - Everton - Stoke - Derby - Wolves - Preston - Aston Villa - West Bromich Albion - Blackburn- Notts County -Bolton and Burnley.

The inaugural Championship saw Preston North End, the first 'professional' club, win the Championship 'title'. However, this was thanks mainly to mercenary Scots who flooded over the Border, once they realised that they could get paid handsomely by 'North End' for kicking English people in the name of 'Sport'.

Won eighteen, drew four, lost NONE was 'Proud' Preston's record - and for good measure they won the FA Cup as well. That team was known as the 'Invincibles'.

Preston's dominance also extended to knock-out tournaments. On October 15th 1887 they defeated a team called Hyde 26-0 in an FA Cup 1st round tie. You will not be surprised to know that score still stands as an English record to this day. This may be apocryphal, who knows; but the Preston goalkeeper, woefully unemployed and bespectacled anyway, spent the entire match under an umbrella smoking a cigarette!

And from there the history of the English Football League began - 1888-2009 and counting.

And what of the the 'Invincibles' from those Victorian times? Well, Preston North End survive to this day and, as I write, they are a good 'second-tier' side who are vying to get themselves into the Premier 'elite'. And every 'rose-tinted' nostalgiest should wish them well.

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