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Southern Football League 1897-98

Southern Football League Division One
Season 1897–98
Champions Southampton (2nd title)
Promoted none
Relegated Northfleet
Wolverton L&NWR
Matches played 132
Goals scored 507 (3.84 per match)
Southern Football League Division Two
Season 1897–98
Champions Royal Artillery
Promoted Royal Artillery
Warmley
Relegated Dartford (resigned)
RETB Chatham (resigned)
Matches played 132
Goals scored 652 (4.94 per match)

The 1897–98 season was the fourth in the history of the Southern League. Southampton won the Division One championship for the second successive season. Bristol City applied for election to Division Two of the Football League. However, they were not elected.

A total of 12 teams contest the division, including eleven sides from previous season and one new team.

Newly elected team:

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.

A total of 12 teams contest the division, including ten sides from previous season and two new teams.

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.

Unlike previous seasons in which individual test matches had been played between clubs, this season saw the bottom two clubs in Division One and the top two clubs in Division two play in a four-club round robin, with the top two retaining or earning a place in Division One. Both Division Two clubs were promoted after the matches, with Northfleet leaving the league after the season ended.

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.

Only one Southern League club, Bristol City, applied for election to Division Two of the Football League. However, they were not elected. Although Darwen were initially voted out of the league, a decision was made to expand the League by four clubs, and they were readmitted, along with New Brighton Tower, Glossop North End and Barnsley.


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