1893–94 Football League

Final league tables

Beginning with the season 1894–95, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season. Since the goal average was used for this purpose for such a long time, it is presented in the tables below even for the seasons prior to 1894–95.

During the first five seasons of the league, the re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league.

Match results are drawn from The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website and Rothmans for the First Division and Rothmans for the Second Division. The result of the match on 25 November 1893 between Wolves and Stoke is given in many newspapers as a win for Wolves by 4–2, which is the result included in these tables and the book published by the Football League in 1937–38. Most subsequent lists of scores depend on that publication. The Times on Monday, the 27th gives the score as 5–2 and local Midland newspapers also show 5–2, listing the five goal scorers. This curious discrepancy has never been explained.

The Second Division was expanded from twelve to fifteen teams, with the election of Liverpool, Middlesbrough Ironopolis, Newcastle United, Rotherham Town and Woolwich Arsenal and the resignation of Accrington and Bootle. Woolwich Arsenal became the first team from the south of England to participate in the Football League.

First Division

1st English title Newton Heath (27 goals) (26 December 1893) (27 December 1893) (21 October 1893) West Bromwich Albion 3–6 Aston Villa (21 October 1893) Everton 8–1 The Wednesday (23 December 1893) Aston Villa 9–0 Darwen (26 December 1893) Burnley 3–6 Aston Villa (7 April 1894) Aston Villa Sheffield United Sunderland Nottingham Forest Sheffield United Wolverhampton Wanderers Newton Heath Everton 7–1 Sunderland (30 September 1893) Derby County 2–1 Darwen (18 November 1893)

Results

Maps

Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Burnley Derby County Darwen Everton Newton Heath (Manchester) Nottingham Forest Preston North End Sheffield United The Wednesday (Sheffield) Stoke Sunderland West Bromwich Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers

Second Division

Small Heath (23 goals) (17 February 1894) Small Heath 10–2 Ardwick (17 March 1894) (6 January 1894) (24 February 1894) Liverpool Liverpool Northwich Victoria

Results

Maps

Burslem Port Vale Burton Swifts Crewe Alexandra Grimsby Town Lincoln City Liverpool Ardwick Middlesbrough Ironopolis Newcastle United Northwich Victoria Notts County Rotherham Town Small Heath (Birmingham) Walsall Town Swifts Woolwich Arsenal

Test matches

The Football League test matches were a set of play-offs, in which the bottom First Division teams faced the top Second Division teams. The First Division teams, if coming out as winners, would retain their places in the division. If a Second Division team won, it would be considered for First Division membership through an election process at the expense of a losing First Division team. Losing Second Division teams would stay in the Second Division.

Consequences

Of the winners, Liverpool and Small Heath (later known as Birmingham City F.C.) were elected into the First Division, while Preston North End remained there.

Of the losers Darwen and Newton Heath (later known as Manchester United F.C.) continued in the Second Division, while Notts County remained there.

Attendances

Source:

References

References

1. Ian Laschke: ''Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79''. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
2. "England 1893–94".
3. "English League Leading Goalscorers".
4. https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/archive/eng/aveeng1894.htm