1930–31 Southern Football League

The 1930–31 season was the 33rd in the history of the Southern League. The league consisted of Eastern and Western Divisions.[1] Dartford won the Eastern Division on goal average (had goal difference been used, Aldershot Town would have been champions) and Exeter City reserves won the Western Division. Dartford were declared Southern League champions after winning a championship play-off 7–2.[2]

Two clubs from the Southern League applied to join the Football League, although neither were successful.

Eastern Division

Southern Football League Eastern Division
Season1930–31
ChampionsDartford (1st title)
Promotednone
RelegatedThames II (resigned)
Matches played72
Goals scored346 (4.81 per match)

A total of 9 teams contest the division, including 8 sides from previous season and one new team.

Newly elected team:

  • Thames II - replaced its first team (which was elected to the Football League the previous year).
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Result
1 Dartford 16 9 5 2 39 18 2.167 23
2 Aldershot Town 16 10 3 3 50 28 1.786 23
3 Norwich City II 16 9 1 6 47 38 1.237 19
4 Peterborough & Fletton United 16 6 5 5 35 29 1.207 17
5 Thames II 16 7 2 7 38 31 1.226 16 Left league at end of season
6 Millwall II 16 7 0 9 47 40 1.175 14
7 Folkestone 16 4 3 9 31 46 0.674 11
8 Guildford City 16 5 1 10 28 53 0.528 11
9 Sheppey United 16 4 2 10 31 63 0.492 10
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976–77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Western Division

Southern Football League Western Division
Season1930–31
ChampionsExeter City II
Promotednone
RelegatedNewport County II (resigned)
Matches played132
Goals scored600 (4.55 per match)

A total of 12 teams contest the division, including 11 sides from previous season and one new team.

Team relegated from 1929–30 Football League:

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Result
1 Exeter City II 22 15 2 5 59 28 2.107 32
2 Llanelly 22 10 8 4 72 39 1.846 28
3 Merthyr Town 22 12 3 7 62 49 1.265 27
4 Plymouth Argyle II 22 12 2 8 55 34 1.618 26
5 Bath City 22 10 6 6 47 39 1.205 26
6 Torquay United II 22 9 5 8 66 49 1.347 23
7 Swindon Town II 22 7 7 8 48 52 0.923 21
8 Bristol Rovers II 22 7 6 9 58 64 0.906 20
9 Barry 22 7 5 10 29 39 0.744 19
10 Taunton Town 22 5 7 10 36 62 0.581 17
11 Newport County II 22 6 2 14 36 66 0.545 14 Replaced by first team at end of season
12 Ebbw Vale 22 5 1 16 32 79 0.405 11
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976–77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Football League election

Two Southern League clubs, Aldershot and Merthyr Town, applied to join the Football League, with Merthyr applying to join both Division Three North and Division Three South.[3]

Third Division North

Club League First round votes Second round votes
Rochdale Football League 40
Chester Cheshire League 27 28
Nelson Football League 27 20
Manchester Central Lancashire Combination 4
Merthyr Town Southern League 0

Third Division South

Club League Votes
Norwich City Football League 38
Mansfield Town Midland League 25
Newport County Football League 19
Aldershot Town Southern League 14
Merthyr Town Southern League 2

References

  1. ^ England – Southern League Final Tables RSSSF
  2. ^ Dartford at the Football Club History Database
  3. ^ A history of admission to the Football League