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ENGLISH LEAGUE HISTORY;

The english league was formed in 1888, this was the first football league to be formed in the world. It began with 12 clubs from the north of england and the midlands. In 1888 - 89 it was Preston North End who were the formidable champions and not losing a single game.

By 1893 the league had expanded to two divisions, it was after this date that a team called Woolwich Arsenal became the first team south of Birmingham to join the league.

the leagues were postponed during world war one, after which the leagues were resumed in 1919 a third division was then formed which was southern league first division. one year later a northern division was also formed.

The leagues were once again postponed during world war two after which english football was back at it's best and the crowds flocked to see their teams play.

By 1950 the league had expanded to 92 clubs and with this came the European competition. It was in the 1950's and 60's that saw the emergance of some of the better teams and clubs that we associate top class football today around the world.

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL;

Non-League is the more common term used for football clubs in England outside the Premier League and The Football League, although at a lower level, but with just as much enthusiasm.

Non-League clubs play most of their football in league competitions. there are many leagues below the level of The Football League, one of the oldest being the Northern League, the majority of these senior leagues are oranised by The Football Association into an 'NLS' - National League System, this in turn consists of seven steps or levels which includes over 50 seperate leagues.

In 1987 came automatic promotion and relegation between the Football League and the leagues of Non-League football. Prior to this date the bottom clubs had to apply for re-election to the league at the end of the season, this was usually just a case of formality with the system which ensured that The Football League remained almost static, therefore most non-league clubs having little or no chance of joining. The first non-league club to be eligable for automatic promotion to The Football League was 'Scarborough' - and the first to be relegated to the ranks of non-league by this method was 'Lincoln City'.

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