1888–89 in English football

A new competition, The Football League, started this season. The Football League was open to clubs all over the United Kingdom,^{[citation needed]} but the first twelve entrants (Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke (now Stoke City), West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers) were all from the Midlands or North of England (in later years the competition became the de facto English league, though some clubs from outside England still compete in it). Each club in the League played each other twice (once at home and once away) 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 (a feat only accomplished once since, by Arsenal in 2003–04) and also won the FA Cup.

The Football League is still going today and now has 72 clubs in three divisions (down from an all-time high of 92 clubs in four 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.^{[citation needed]}

• Sheffield United F.C. formed on 22 March 1889 from the Sheffield United Cricket Club in a meeting at the Adelphi Hotel. They played their home matches at Bramall Lane

England 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.

Date	Venue	Home team	Visitors	Score	Comp	England scorers
23 Feb 1889	Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent	England	Wales	4–1	BHC	Billy Bassett (West Bromwich Albion), John Goodall (Preston North End), Jack Southworth (Blackburn Rovers) and Fred Dewhurst (Preston North End)
2 Mar 1889	Anfield, Liverpool	England	Ireland	6–1	BHC	Alf Shelton (Notts County), John Yates (Burnley) (3), Joe Lofthouse (Accrington) and John Brodie (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
13 Apr 1889	Kennington Oval, London	England	Scotland	2–3	BHC	Billy Bassett (West Bromwich Albion) (15, 17 mins)

Key

• BHC = 1888–89 British Home Championship

Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Scotland	3	2	1	0	10	2	+8	5
England	3	2	0	1	12	5	+7	4
Wales	3	1	1	1	4	5	−1	3
Ireland	3	0	0	3	2	16	−14	0

* Indicates new record for competition

Accrington

Aston Villa

Blackburn Rovers

Bolton Wanderers

Burnley

Derby County

Everton

Notts County

Preston North End

Stoke

West Bromwich Albion

Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Locations of the Football League 1888–89 teams

Rank	Scorer	Club	Goals	Matches played	Goals per match
1	John Goodall	Preston North End	21	21	1.00
2	James D. Ross	Preston North End	18	21	0.86
3	Albert Allen	Aston Villa	17	21	0.81
4	John Southworth	Blackburn Rovers	16	21	0.76
	Harry Wood	Wolverhampton Wanderers	16	17	0.94
6	Thomas Green	Aston Villa	14	21	0.67
7	James Brogan	Bolton Wanderers	13	22	0.59
	David Weir	Bolton Wanderers	13	22	0.59
9	Frederick Dewhurst	Preston North End	12	17	0.71
	Herbert L. Fecitt	Blackburn Rovers	12	17	0.71
	Alexander Barbour	Accrington	12	19	0.63
	Alexander Higgins	Derby County	12	21	0.57
	Thomas Pearson	West Bromwich Albion	12	22	0.55

^[3]

• Details of England v Wales game
• Details of England v Ireland game
• Details of England v Scotland game