The 1898–99 season was the fifth in the history of the
Southern League. This season saw the expansion of Division One up to 14 teams and creation of Division Two South-West, though it was disbanded at the end of the season after all its clubs left. No Southern League clubs applied for promotion to the
Football League
The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional association football, football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in Association football around the world, the w ...
.
Southampton
Southampton is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately southwest of London, west of Portsmouth, and southeast of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 253, ...
were Division One champions for the third season in a row. Overall Division Two champions being decided in a playoff in which
Thames Ironworks defeated
Cowes
Cowes () is an England, English port, seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina, facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east bank. The two towns are linked b ...
3-1 at
The Den
The Den (previously The New Den) is a football stadium in Bermondsey, south-east London, and the home of Millwall Football Club. The Den is adjacent to the South London railway originating at , and a quarter-of-a-mile from the Old Den, whic ...
.
Division One
A total of 14 teams contest the division, including ten sides from previous season and four new teams.
Teams promoted from 1897-98 Division Two:
* Royal Artillery Portsmouth - test matches winners
* Warmley - test matches winners
Newly elected teams:
* Bedminster (elected from the
Western League)
* Brighton United
Division Two London
Division Two London was formed on basis of previous season Division Two. A total of 12 teams contest the division, including eight sides from previous season and four new teams.
Team relegated from Division One:
* Wolverton L&NWR - test matches losers
Newly elected teams:
* Thames Ironworks -
London League winners
* Brentford
* Fulham
Division Two South-West
Division Two South-West was newly formed and short-lived formation. At the end of the season the division was liquidated and the League returned to 2-division structure.
Promotion-relegation test matches
At the end of the season, test matches were held between the bottom two clubs in Division One and the top club in both Division Twos. Royal Artillery Portsmouth lost 4-1 to Cowes and were relegated to Division Two, whilst Cowes were promoted. Royal Artillery Portsmouth then disbanded.
Sheppey United and Thames Ironworks drew 1-1, leading to Sheppey remaining in Division One and Thames Ironworks joining them.
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]
References
External links
Southern League First Division Tables at RSSSF
{{DEFAULTSORT:Southern Football League, 1898-99
1898-99
1898–99 in English association football leagues