The English Football League, also known as the Football League, was founded in 1888 and is the oldest football league in the world.
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The league was created in response to the growing popularity of football and the desire to provide a competitive structure for clubs to play in.
The first-ever edition of the English Football League was contested by 12 teams. They came from the Midlands as well as from the North of England. Some of the participating teams were:
- Derby County;
- Everton;
- Blackburn Rovers;
- Accrington;
- West Bromwich Albion;
- and Burnley.
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How the tournament went
The inaugural season of the league kicked off on September 8, 1888, with five matches being played simultaneously. You can get the 1xBet iOS download on phone and tablet to wager on the modern Premier League.
The first-ever match in the league was between Blackburn Rovers and Accrington, which ended in a 5-2 victory for Blackburn.
Preston North End was the dominant team in the first-ever edition of the English Football League, winning the title with an unbeaten record. They won 18 of their 22 matches and drew the other four, scoring 74 goals and conceding just 15. Aston Villa finished as runners-up, nine points behind Preston. You can wager on those teams by downloading the 1xBet iOS app on your phone.
A highly successful competition
The league format was different to the one used today. Each team played the other twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 22 matches. The team with the most points at the end of the season was crowned champions. There were no relegation or promotion places, and no playoffs. You can play 1xBet slots while waiting for the next English football match.
The success of the first-ever edition of the English Football League led to its expansion, with more teams joining in subsequent years. The league continued to evolve, with the introduction of relegation and promotion in 1892. A third division was also added in 1920. You can play on the slots offered by 1xBet while waiting for other exciting football leagues.