1920–21 Football League


The 1920–21 season was the 29th season of The Football League.
The Football League Third Division was introduced, in effect the Third Division South of the following season, when Third Division North was introduced. This expanded the League's operational radius all the way to the south coast of England, as the number of member clubs increased from 44 to 66.

Team changes

The new Third Division was formed by clubs of the Southern Football League Division One of the previous season, except for Cardiff City. Cardiff City became the first Welsh club to enter the League, and since they were the strongest club in Wales in the era, they were invited directly into the Second Division. Grimsby Town took its place in the new Third Division, thereby being the first club relegated to the League's third tier. Leeds United were also elected into the Second Division to replace Leeds City after its debacle. Lincoln City were not re-elected to the Second Division and thus Port Vale's Second Division place was formalized as well.

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


Third Division


Attendances

Source:

Division One

No.ClubAverage
1Newcastle United FC41,265
2Chelsea FC38,520
3Everton FC37,215
4Tottenham Hotspur FC36,010
5Arsenal FC35,540
6Manchester United35,525
7Liverpool FC35,440
8Aston Villa FC35,145
9Bolton Wanderers FC34,400
10Burnley FC31,535
11Manchester City FC31,120
12Sunderland AFC28,765
13Blackburn Rovers FC27,930
14West Bromwich Albion FC27,915
15Sheffield United FC26,920
16Middlesbrough FC23,845
17Bradford City AFC22,585
18Huddersfield Town AFC22,240
19Preston North End FC21,310
20Oldham Athletic FC18,075
21Derby County FC16,235
22Bradford Park Avenue AFC16,005