A snapshot of football in 1888, via an engraving called ‘The Association Game’
On this very day 128 years ago, the world’s very first set of football league results were registered after the culmination of five fixtures played in England on 8th September, 1888.
Derby County and Preston North End were the big winners on that most momentous of afternoons, racking up comprehensive victories over Bolton Wanderers and Burnley respectively.
Image: @EFL/Twitter
Loving the random kick-off times. Obviously Sky Sports had the Everton match.
Anyway, Preston went the entire 22-game campaign unbeaten, going top of the league after their second fixture (a 4-0 win over Wolves) and staying there until the end of the season, which ended in February.
Indeed, the Lilywhites won the inaugural Football League at a canter, ahead of Aston Villa and Wolves in second and third. Preston also won that season’s FA Cup, thus becoming the first team to complete a league and cup double.
Here’s how the final, hand-drawn Football League table looked back then…
