From: archer@hsi.com (Garry Archer)
Subject: Burton teams (was Re: Football League Div Two Centenary)
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford CT
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 14:04:09 GMT

In article <MNEWS.715525174.13908@gate.demon.co.uk> J.M.Ross@man0507.wins.icl.co.uk (J.M.Ross) writes:
>         The 1892-3 Football League season kicked off on 3rd September 
>         1892, Division Two was introduced from this season. Results:


Congratulations to the old Second Division!



>         Div 2
>         Burton Swifts       7  Crewe Alexandra       1
>         Grimsby Town        2  Northwich Victoria    1
>         Sheffield United    4  Lincoln City          2
>         Small Heath         5  Burslem Port Vale     1
>         Walsall Town Swifts 1  Darwen                2
>         
>         Ardwick are now Man City, Small Heath are now Birmingham City.
>         All Second Div clubs were playing their first football league 
>         games except for Darwen.


Thanks for the history James!

I was born in Burton-on-Trent and lived near there most of my life, so
I know a little bit about the Burton Swifts.  This is from some e-mail
I swopped with Stephen Mulrine in February 1990:

(Stephen wondered if Burton Albion had ever been in the Football League)

--- start of included e-mail

  Actually Burton Albion have never been in the Football League!  But I'm
  amazed that you knew about Burton Swifts who were in the League as you
  pointed out.  But did you know there were *two* other Burton teams that
  *were* in the Football League?  Burton Wanderers (who were in at the
  same time as the Swifts at one point) and Burton United!
  
  I had to dig through the record books (because I wondered if Albion
  actually were in the League after what you said...):
  
  The Football League began in 1888-89.  The second division was formed
  in 1892-93.  Burton Swifts joined the League the same year in the
  second division.  The number of teams increased from 12 to 18 teams
  until 1900-01 when the Swifts disappeared from the League.  (I don't
  know what happened to them).  Their best position was 6th out of 12
  (their first season).  They hovered between 11th and 15th positions
  for a few years (as the division grew to 18 teams) and finally ended
  up 18th out of 18 in 1900-01 before dropping out.
  
  In 1894-95 Burton Wanderers appeared in the second division.  Cross town
  opponents to Burton Swifts!  In their three seasons in the Football League
  they were 7th, 4th then 15th all out of 16 teams.  (At the same time,
  the Swifts went 11th, 11th, 14th.)  I suppose the humiliation of having
  the Swifts finishing ahead in their last season was too much!!!
  
  As the Swifts' last season was 1900-01, the next season Burton United
  appeared in the second division (I'm not aware of a name change, although
  it's a possibility).  They were no better, neither.  They actually dropped
  lower in the second division each season; 10th, 13th, 14th and 17th all 
  out of 18 teams and 19th and 20th both of 20 teams before disappearing 
  in 1906-07.
  
  So, out of 15 seasons and three teams, only is the Wanderers 4th out of 16
  worthy of any mention!  Amazin'!
  
  Well, thanks for prodding me to look up more about Burton's history in
  the early years of the Football League.  It was quite educational (for me)!
  
  As I understand it, Burton Albion are currently a *loooooooooong* way off 
  from ever achieving what their predecessors did. :-(

--- end of included e-mail

There I go saving old stuff again!


-- 
|                     Garry Archer Esq.     archer@hsi.com                     |
=======| Gresley Rovers FC:  Banks's Brewery League CHAMPIONS, 1990-91 |========
=======|                     West Midlands League   CHAMPIONS, 1991-92 |========