Football League Third Division

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Football League Third Division

Founded 1920

Folded 2004

Country England

Wales

Number of teams 24

Level on pyramid 4 (1992–2004)

3 (1920–1992)

Promotion to Second Division

Relegation to Fourth Division (1958–1992)

Football Conference (1992–2004)

Domestic cup(s) FA Cup

League Cup

Football League Trophy

Last champions Doncaster Rovers

(2003–04)

Most championships Plymouth Argyle

(4 titles, including 2 in Third Division South)

The Football League Third Division was the third tier of the English football league
system in 1920–21 and again from 1958 until 1992. When the FA Premier League was formed,
the division become the fourth tier level. In 2004, following the formation of the Football League
Championship, the division was renamed Football League Two.X

Contents
1Founder clubs of the Third Division (1920)X

2The split Third DivisionsX

3As a single Third DivisionX

4Winners of the Third DivisionX

5ReferencesX

Founder clubs of the Third Division (1920)[edit]

Most of these clubs were drawn from what was then the top division of the 1919–20 Southern
Football League, in an expansion of the Football League south of Birmingham. As Cardiff
City was long considered a potential entrant for the Second Division due to their FA
Cup exploits and Southern League dominance, they were sent directly into the Second Division
and Grimsby Town, who finished in last place in the Second Division in 1919–20, were
relegated.X

 Brentford
 Brighton & Hove Albion
 Bristol Rovers
 Crystal Palace (inaugural champions in 1920–21)
 Exeter City
 Gillingham
 Grimsby Town
 Luton Town
 Merthyr Town
 Millwall
 Newport County
 Northampton Town
 Norwich City
 Plymouth Argyle
 Portsmouth
 Queens Park Rangers
 Reading
 Southampton
 Southend United
 Swansea Town
 Swindon Town
 Watford
 The split Third Divisions[edit]
This league continued in 1921–22 as Football League Third Division South whilst the Football
League Third Division North was formed with the Northern clubs, the two Divisions jointly
forming the third tier.X

Geographical separation was abolished in 1958 with the creation of the Football League Fourth
Division.X

As a single Third Division[edit]

The original members in 1958–59 were:

 From Third Division North: Accrington Stanley, Bradford City, Bury, Chesterfield,
Halifax Town, Hull City, Mansfield Town, Rochdale, Stockport County, Tranmere
Rovers, Wrexham
 From Third Division South: Bournemouth, Brentford, Colchester United, Newport
County, Norwich City, Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Reading,
Southampton, Southend United, Swindon Town
 Relegated from Second Division: Doncaster Rovers, Notts County
Of these, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brentford, Hull, Norwich, Notts, QPR, Reading, Southampton,
and Swindon have made the top flight in either the First Division or the Premier League era.
Stockport, Doncaster, Notts County and Rochdale were the first to be relegated into the Fourth
Division the following season (1959–60), starting the bottom-four-team turnover tradition for the
third tier. As with the Second Division, the champion and runner-up were automatically
promoted; the third place was also promoted automatically beginning in 1974. Play-offs for the
third promotion place were introduced in 1987. AFC Bournemouth, formerly Bournemouth &
Boscombe Athletic, hold the record as the club to have spent most time in this Division.X

The Third Division of English football lasted for a total of 72 years, the first 38 years as two
regionalized divisions (although just 31 seasons were played due to the advent of World War II)
before a 34-year run as a national division. Plymouth Argyle were the most successful team at
this level during these years, winning the national title twice, having already won the southern
section twice.X

In 1992 the FA Premier League started and the Football League was reduced in numbers,
leading to the Third Division becoming the fourth tier. See Football League One for subsequent
third-tier history.X

Winners of the Third Division[edit]

See List of winners of English Football League One and predecessors for winners before 1992
and List of winners of English Football League Two and predecessors for winners afterwards.X

References[edit]
show

tX
 Men's football in England

show

tX

Third-level football leagues of Europe (UEFA)

show

tX

Fourth-level football leagues of Europe (UEFA)

Categories: 

 Football League Third Division

 Defunct English Football League divisions
 Defunct third level football leagues in Europe
 Defunct fourth level football leagues in Europe
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 This page was last edited on 16 October 2020, at 08:29 (UTC).

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