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1898–99 Southern Football League

Southern Football League Division One
Season 1898–99
Champions Southampton (3rd title)
Promoted none
Relegated Warmley (resigned)
Matches played 156
Goals scored 506 (3.24 per match)
Southern Football League Division Two London
Season 1898–99
Champions Thames Ironworks
Promoted none
Relegated St Albans (folded)
Uxbridge (resigned)
Matches played 132
Goals scored 597 (4.52 per match)
Southern Football League Division Two South-West
Season 1898–99
Champions Cowes
Promoted none
Relegated league disbanded
Matches played 30
Goals scored 160 (5.33 per match)

The 1898-99 season was the fifth in the history of the Southern League. This season saw the expansion of Division One up to 14 teams and creation of Division Two South-West, though it was disbanded at the end of the season after all its clubs left. No Southern League clubs applied for promotion to the Football League. Southampton were Division One champions for the third season in a row. Overall Division Two champions being decided in a playoff in which Thames Ironworks defeated Cowes 3-1 at The Den.

A total of 14 teams contest the division, including ten sides from previous season and four new teams.

Teams promoted from Division Two:

Newly elected teams:

1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season.

2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Division Two London was formed on basis of previous season Division Two. A total of 12 teams contest the division, including eight sides from previous season and four new teams.

Team relegated from Division One:

Newly elected teams:

1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season.

2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Division Two South-West was newly formed and short-lived formation. At the end of the season division was liquidated and the League returned to 2-division structure.

1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used until the 1976-77 season.

2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

At the end of the season, test matches were held between the bottom two clubs in Division One and the top club in both Division Twos. Royal Artillery lost 4-1 to Cowes, but remained in Division One after reforming as Portsmouth, whilst Cowes were promoted. Sheppey United and Thames Ironworks drew 1-1, leading to Sheppey remaining in Division One and Thames Ironworks joining them.


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