Football League Second Division: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Until the 2004-2005 season, the Football League Second Division was the second-highest division of The Football League and the third-highest division in the overall English football league system. Before that it was the second division overall, but that ended with the creation of the FA Premier League prior to the start of the 1992-1993 season.

The Second Division was replaced by Football League One prior to the start of the 2004/05 season.

Overview

At the end of each season the top two teams were promoted to First Division, along with the winners of a play-off between the next four teams. Also, the bottom four teams were relegated to Third Division.

The Second Division was formed in 1892 with 12 clubs, most of which had previously played in the Football Alliance. It expanded over the years to its final total of 24 clubs, as follows:

• 1893 - 15 clubs
• 1894 - 16
• 1898 - 18
• 1905 - 20
• 1919 - 22
• 1987 - 23
• 1988 - 24

For the first few years, there was no automatic promotion to the First Division. Instead, the top few teams in Division Two, including the winners, contested a series of test matches against the bottom teams in Division One. Small Heath, Second Division champions in 1892-93, were denied promotion after losing in test matches to Newton Heath.

Winners of the old format Second Division (1893-1992)

Winners of the new format Second Division (1993-2004)