1897–98 Football League


The 1897–98 season was the tenth season of The Football League.

Final league tables

Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average. 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.
During the first six seasons of the league,, re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league.

First Division


Second Division


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. Each First Division team plays both Second Division teams in a mini league format, the top two finishers would then be considered for election for First Division membership whilst the bottom two finishers would be invited to play in the Second Division.
The First Division teams, if finishing in the top two, would retain their places in the division. If a Second Division team does so, it would be considered for First Division membership through an election process. Bottom-two Second Division teams would stay in the Second Division.

Summary

Reference works, such Encyclopedia of British Football, and Association Football present the following table with the heading given above.

Consequences

Burnley and Stoke City entered the last match needing a draw for promotion. A 0–0 draw ensued, reportedly 'The Match without a shot at goal' and the League immediately withdrew the Test Match system in favour of automatic promotion and relegation. Ironically, the League also decided to expand the top division to 18 teams after the Test Match series of 1897–98 and the other two teams, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United were elected into the top division for the following season, negating the effect of Burnley and Stoke's reputed collusion. In the end, the test matches and their results seem to have served no particular purpose. After this season the test matches were scrapped in favour of direct promotion and relegation.

Attendances

Source:

Division One

No.ClubAverage
1Everton FC17,390
2Aston Villa FC15,870
3Liverpool FC12,935
4Sheffield United FC11,565
5Sunderland AFC10,970
6The Wednesday9,140
7Derby County FC8,805
8Bolton Wanderers FC8,190
9Notts County FC8,060
10Blackburn Rovers FC7,845
11Nottingham Forest FC7,645
12Stoke FC7,350
13West Bromwich Albion FC7,070
14Wolverhampton Wanderers FC7,025
15Preston North End FC6,685
16Bury FC6,380