Shayman Become The Latest Victims

Halifax Town became the first side to be relegated out of the Football League on two seperate occassions when they were defeated at Darlington on Saturday. Automatic relegation to the Football Conference was introduced in 1987, but of course prior to that we had the election system where the bottom four sides of the old Division Four (or Division Three North and South between 1920 and 1957) would have to apply for re-election whilst any number of non-league side could apply to be elected to the Football League.

Southport were the last team to be elected out of the League in 1978.

Halifax Town, originally elected to the Football League on the formation of Division Three (North) in 1921 are not the only side to have lost their League status twice. Walsall, formerly known as Walsall Town swifts were elected out in 1895 and 1901 while Burslem Port Vale, known better nowadays without the Burslem prefix, were elected out in 1896 and resigned in 1907.

Newport County, elected out in 1931 were eventually relegated out of the League in 1988. Doncaster Rovers, relegated from the new Division Three in 1998 were also elected out on two previous occassions, in 1903 and 1905. Current Third Division members Lincoln City have lost their League status on more occassions than any other, dropping into non-league football four times, being elected out in 1908, 1911 and 1920 before becoming the first side to be relegated in 1987.

The first side to be elected out was Stoke in 1890, re-gaining their place just a year later alongside Darwen. Sunderland were side to replace Stoke in 1890. Southport became the last side to be elected out of the League when in 1978 they were replaced by Wigan Athletic.

Barnet lost their place last May.

Blues came into the League on the formation of Division Three (South) in 1920 when no vote took place with all the members with the Southern League First Division admitted. They were:- Blues, Portsmouth, Watford, Crystal Palace, Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Southampton, Swansea Town, Exeter City, Norwich City, Swindon Town, Millwall Athletic, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bristol Rovers, Newport County, Northampton Town, Luton Town, Merthy Tydfil and Gillingham. Cardiff City were elected straight into Division Two and their place in the Southern Third Division was bizarrely taken by Grimsby Town. Grimsby were switched to Division Three (North) on its formation a year later.

Yeovil Town have applied, and failed, for election to the Football League and more occassions than any others, failing 28 times. Chelmsford City are in second spot with 18 failed bids, the most reason being in 1976. The only other Essex side to have applied is Romford, failing on 12 occassions.

Chelmsford City have failed on 18 occasions.

Blues Essex rivals Leyton Orient, then known as Clapton Orient were elected in 1907, West Ham United in 1919 and Colchester United in 1950.

Prior to the Second World War there was much activity involving election and re-election, far too much to list here, but here's all in post-war in's and out's:-

1950 - IN: Gillingham, Colchester United, Shrewsbury Town, Scunthorpe & Lindsay United.
OUT: None due to expansion of Football League.

1951 - IN: Workington Town
OUT: New Brighton

1960 - IN: Peterborough United
OUT: Gateshead

1962 - IN: Oxford United
OUT: Accrington Stanley (resigned)

1970 - IN: Cambridge United
OUT: Bradford Park Avenue

1972 - IN: Hereford United
OUT: Barrow

1977 - IN: Wimbledon
OUT: Workington Town

1978 - IN: Wigan Athletic
OUT: Southport

1987 (promotion) - IN: Scarborough
OUT: Lincoln City

1988 - IN: Lincoln City
OUT: Newport County

1989 - IN: Maidstone United
OUT: Darlington

1990 - IN: Darlington
OUT: Colchester United

1991 - IN: Barnet
OUT: None due to expansion of Division Four from 24 to 25 teams.

1992 - IN: Colchester United
OUT: Aldershot, Maidstone United (both resigned)

1993 - IN: Wycombe Wanderers
OUT: Halifax Town

1997 - IN: Macclesfield Town
OUT: Hereford United

1998 - IN: Halifax Town
OUT: Doncaster Rovers

1999 - IN: Cheltenham Town
OUT: Scarborough

2000 - IN: Kidderminster Harriers
OUT: Chester City

2001 - IN: Rushden & Diamonds
OUT: Barnet

2002 - IN: Boston United or Dagenham & Redbridge (only time will tell!!)
OUT: Halifax Town

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com

Shayman Become The Latest Victims

Last updated : 09 April 2002 By Mark Wallis