4.8.16

The Southern League 1894–95


First Division

P
W
D
L
F
A
ave.
pts.
Millwall Athletic
16
12
4
0
68
19
3.58
28
Luton Town
16
9
4
3
36
22
1.64
22
Southampton St Mary’s
16
9
2
5
34
25
1.36
20
Ilford
16
6
3
7
26
40
0.65
15
Reading
16
6
2
8
33
38
0.87
14
Chatham Town
16
4
5
7
22
25
0.88
13
Royal Ordnance Factories
16
3
6
7
20
30
0.67
12
Clapton
16
5
1
10
22
38
0.58
11
Swindon Town
16
4
1
11
24
48
0.5
9
Second Division

P
W
D
L
F
A
ave.
pts.
New Brompton
12
11
0
1
57
10
5.7
22
Sheppey United
12
6
1
5
25
23
1.09
13
Old St.Stephen's
12
6
0
6
26
26
1
12
Uxbridge
12
4
3
5
14
20
0.7
11
Bromley
12
4
1
7
23
30
0.77
9
Chesham
12
3
3
6
20
42
0.48
9
Maidenhead
12
2
4
6
19
33
0.58
8



Millwall Athletic 
Formed 1885 as Millwall Rovers, became Millwall Athletic in 1889. Played in the Southern League for 22 seasons (champions twice) before joining the Third Division of The Football League in 1920-21. The 'Athletic' was dropped in 1903.
Currently playing in the 3rd tier of the English pyramid. 


Luton Town 
Founded in 1885 following a merger of Luton Town Wanderers and Excelsior.  having played in the first 2 seasons of the Southern league they then resigned to join the United League. 
In 1897–98 Luton joined the Second Division of  The Football League. They re joined the Southern League in 1900–01 following relegation  and remained until joining the Third Division of The Football League in 1920-21. In all they played 18 seasons in the Southern League but never bettered this second placed finish.
Currently playing in the 4th tier of the English pyramid. 

Southampton St Mary’s
St. Mary's Young Men's Association F.C. was also founded in 1885. In 1887 the name was simplified to St Mary's and when they joined the Southern League Southampton was added. They won the Southern League championship for three years running between 1897 and 1899 and again in 1901, 1903 and 1904. 
Played in the Southern League for 22 seasons before joining the Third Division of The Football League in 1920-21. Currently a Premier League side. 
 
Ilford
  Founded in 1881 the Essex club were prominent in amateur football.  They were relegated and left the Southern League at the end of its second season, later joining the Isthmian League. They merged with Leytonstone in 1979 and there is currently an unconnected club of the same name in existence. 

Reading
Founded on Xmas Day 1871. 
Reading played Southern League football for 22 seasons,and joined the Third Division of The Football League in 1920-21. Currently play in the 2nd tier of English football.

 Chatham Town
Founded 1892 (as Chatham United). They currently play at level 8 of the pyramid (Isthmian League Division 1 South). In 1888-89 Chatham reached the last 8 of the FA Cup, but lost 10-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion.  

 Royal Ordnance Factories
Extant 1893-96, effectively an amateur offshoot of the Arsenal , featuring many players who had also represented Dial Square/ Royal Arsenal/ Woolwich Arsenal. 

Clapton
The East London club was founded in 1878 as Downs FC, taking the name Clapton the following year They have the distinction of being the first British club to play abroad (Belgium 188?). They currently play at Level 9 (Essex Senior League).


Swindon Town
Originating in 1879,entered the Football League in 1920 and currently playing in the 3rd tier of the English pyramid. The inaugural season of the Southern league was Swindon Town's first as a professional club.

New Brompton FC 
Founded in May 1893. In 1912 assumed the name Gillingham FC. Joined the Football League in 1920. Currently play in the  3rd tier of the English pyramid.

Sheppey United 
The Kent club were in existence from 1890 until 2001. A new club (the third incarnation) was formed in 2010.

Old St.Stephen's
Originated in Westminster in 1880, but moved around South/ West London during the 1890s. 
In 1898 absorbed in a merger to form Shepherd's Bush FC (dissolved 1915).

Uxbridge
Founded in 1871 the Middlesex club currently play at level 8.

Bromley
Founded in 1892 the London club are currently in the 5th tier.

Chesham
A Buckinghamshire club founded in 1879. They took part in a merger to form Chesham United in 1917.

Maidenhead
Founded in 1870, the Berkshire club are currently playing at the 6th level.