Beginning with the season 1894–95, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season. Since the goal average was used for this purpose for such a long time, it is presented in the tables below even for the seasons prior to 1894–95. During the first five seasons of the league, the
re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. Match results are drawn from The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website and
Rothmans for the First Division and
Rothmans for the Second Division. The result of the match on 25 November 1893 between Wolves and Stoke is given in many newspapers as a win for Wolves by 4–2, which is the result included in these tables and the book published by the Football League in 1937–38. Most subsequent lists of scores depend on that publication. The Times on Monday, the 27th gives the score as 5–2 and local Midland newspapers also show 5–2, listing the five goal scorers. This curious discrepancy has never been explained. The Second Division was expanded from twelve to fifteen teams, with the election of
Liverpool,
Middlesbrough Ironopolis,
Newcastle United,
Rotherham Town and
Woolwich Arsenal and the resignation of
Accrington and
Bootle. Woolwich Arsenal became the first team from the south of England to participate in the Football League. ==First Division==