Last updated : Friday, 05 April 2024
Introduction
The London League was a football competition that was held in the London and surrounding areas of south-east England from 1896 until 1964.
The league started with three divisions, the 3rd Grenadier Guards winning the inaugural championship. The league fluctuated between having a single division and reaching four divisions.
Before World War I, most of the senior London Football League clubs fielded a reserve side in the London League.
In 1964, the London League ceased to exist, merging with the Aetolian League to form the Greater London League, which then further merged in 1971 with the Metropolitan League to form the Metropolitan–London League. This later merged into the Spartan League, which in turn merged into the modern Spartan South Midlands League.
History
The London League was founded in 1896 by Arnold Hills, the founder of Thames Ironworks F.C. (which later reformed as West Ham United).
The league's first season consisted of three divisions, with the 3rd Grenadier Guards winning the championship.
The league expanded to four divisions in 1902, and remained at that level until 1914. During this time, the league was dominated by clubs such as West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Millwall.
The league was suspended during World War I, and resumed in 1919 with three divisions. The league returned to four divisions in 1922, and remained at that level until 1964.
In 1964, the London League merged with the Aetolian League to form the Greater London League. The Metropolitan League also merged with the Greater London League in 1971, forming the Metropolitan–London League. This league later merged into the Spartan League, which in turn merged into the modern Spartan South Midlands League.
