Home of football statistics and history“Every year it is becoming more and more difficult for football clubs of any standing to meet their friendly engagements and even arrange friendly matches. The consequence is that at the last moment, through cup-tie interference, clubs are compelled to take on teams who will not attract the public. I beg to tender the following suggestion as a means of getting over the difficulty is that ten or twelve of the most prominent clubs in England combine to arrange home-and-home fixtures each season, the said fixtures to be arranged at a friendly conference about the same time as the International Conference. This combination might be known as the Association Football Union, and could be managed by representative from each club. Of course, this is in no way to interfere with the National Association; even the suggested matches might be played under cup-tie rules. However, this is a detail. My object in writing to you at present is merely to draw your attention to the subject, and to suggest a friendly conference to discuss the matter more fully. I would take it as a favour if you would kindly think the matter over, and make whatever suggestions you deem necessary. I am only writing to the following – Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, West Bromwich Albion, and Aston Villa, and would like to hear what other clubs you would suggest.
“I am, yours very truly, William Mc Gregor (Aston Villa F.C.)
“P.S. – How would Friday, 23rd March, 1888, suit for the friendly conference at Anderton’s Hotel, London?”
Mr McGregor spent almost the whole of the month of March 1888 trying to gain support for his idea. In their replies, Bolton Wanderers put forward the names of Accrington, Burnley, Halliwell, Wolverhampton, Wanderers, Old Carthusians, and Stoke to be added to the list of invitations; Notts County suggested the inclusion of Mitchell St. Georges; Blackburn Rovers wanted Accrington and Burnley.
After time had elapsed for “second thoughts”, it was seen that West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke and Derby County were in favour of supporting Mr. McGregor. Nottingham Forest, as an amateur club, was not interested. The Wednesday F.C. was afraid such a combination of clubs would not be tolerated by The Football Association, therefore it would not subscribe. At a meeting held at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, London, attended by Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Notts County, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, it was resolved that the combination be formed and that Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Accrington and Everton be invited to join. There was some discussion about a title for the new venture; the term “League” had unfortunate connotation with the troublesome Irish Land League of the time, and “Union” smacked rather of the other football game. But eventually it was decided to call it The Football League. Mr. H. Lockett (Stoke F.C.) was appointed secretary pro tem and another meeting was called for 17th April at Manchester. All this took place on 23rd March 1888.
At Manchester meeting The Football League was called into being. It was stated that numerous applications for membership had been received, but the acceptance had to be limited as there were only 22 vacant dates on which matches could be played, and the League did not propose to institute a bigger programme than it could safely accommodate. So twelve clubs were enrolled comprising those which had attended the London meeting plus Preston North End, Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Accrington.
The F.A. Cup campaign held its usual crop of surprise, the biggest being reserved for the final itself. West Bromwich Albion sent a strong and confident side to Kennington Oval but it was not expected that Preston North End (rejoicing in the title of “The Invincible”) would be beaten. Yet the Staffordshire men won on merit.
In an earlier round, at Birmingham, Preston North End met Aston Villa in a game which suffered badly from crowd interference. The police force had to be used to restore and keep order. The rival captains agreed that under the circumstances the game could not count as a cup-tie, but the crowd was kept in ignorance of the decision for fear of further trouble. When news of the affair was relayed to the Cup Committee, that body said neither the captains nor the referee had any authority to set aside a cup-tie, and the result must stand.
Then there was the incident at the Queen’s Club, Kensington, where the Swifts met Crewe Alexandra on 17th December. Before the start of the game, one of the Alexandra officials secretly measured the goalposts, using a two-foot rule he happened to have with him. He discovered one of the posts was more than an inch too short. He kept the knowledge to himself until after the game when it was seen that the Swifts had won. Then this bright boy entered a protest on behalf of the Crewe club. The Cup committee, though viewing this antic with unconcealed distaste, had no alternative but to order another match, but at the same time it reprimanded Crewe Alexandra for not having made its point before play commenced. It was then ruled that, in future, such protests must be made before the kick-off, and not after the result of the game is known.
Since then, many football writers have referred to the instruction as “The Two-Foot Rule”, whereas it should be accurately described as The Two-Foot-Rule Rule.