The 31st Season of non league's top division kicks off on Saturday. With this is mind The Cold End brings you some facts about the division which was initially called the Alliance Premier League when formed for the 1979/80 season. Of the twenty clubs which formed the division, thirteen were taken from the Southern League and seven from the Northern League. It wasn't until Enfield FC in the 81/82 season that a club from the Isthmian League joined.
Only four of the clubs which competed in the first season are members today. These being the first champions Altrincham, Gravesend & Northfleet (Now of course Ebbsfleet), Kettering Town and Barrow. No team has been ever present in the League.
Six clubs have won the league twice - Altrincham, Enfield FC, Maidstone United, Barnet, Macclesfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers.
Of the 24 clubs in the top division for the forthcoming season eleven are officially former league clubs although an argument can be put forward for AFC Wimbledon and the history of Wimbledon/MK Dons.
There are currently 19 clubs playing league football that have played in this division. Four have come from the Isthmian League being Aldershot Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Wycombe Wanderers and Yeovil Town.
Histon FC are thought to be the club who have come the furthest to play in this league having come 13th in the Eastern Counties League in 79/80. They are a small club and represent the village of Histon. However, The following clubs can also claim to have acheived success in moving up the Pyramid:
1) Eastbourne Borough who only formed as Langley Sports in 1983 and played their first season in the Sussex County League Division 3.
2) Forest Green Rovers who in 79/80 competed in the Hellinec League.
3) Grays Athletic who finished 7th in the Athenian League in 79/80
4) Rushden and Diamonds. Both Rushden Town and Irthlinborough Diamonds who were local rivals, competed in the United Counties League in 79/80.
5) Stevenage Borough who were formed in 1976 following the demise of Stevenage Athletic were still playing on a roped off pitch in the town in the Wallspan Southern Combination in 1979/80. It wasn't until 1980/81 the club moved to Broadhall Way (vacated by Athletic in 1976) and competed in the United Counties League Division One.
For the 09/10 season Luton Town, Cambridge United and Wrexham are the clubs who played at the highest level in 79/80 having competed in League Division Two.
Since the advent of play-offs and 2 promotion places in the 02/03 the league has grown from strength to strength. It is certainly a different and more professional league to the one the old Enfield FC left in 1990.
The collapse of Setanta will have a negative effect on the club's finances but with the addition of AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town to the league it looks like a very competitive and exciting season in prospect.
The opening day fixture between these two clubs on Saturday looks to be the game of the weekend. Luton Town and Wimbledon FC competed in the FA
Cup Semi-Final at White Hart Lane in 1988 and now just 20 years or so later are in the 5th Tier of the English game.
Cup Semi-Final at White Hart Lane in 1988 and now just 20 years or so later are in the 5th Tier of the English game. TCE predicts some bumper crowds in the Blue Square Premier this year.
FACT - The only Conference game to played on a plastic pitch was played at Loftus Road on 17/01/1982 between Barnet and AP Leamington. Barnet's Underhill was not available.
OFFICIAL SITE
FC SHERIFF TIRASPOL GO FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GLORY
After drawing 0-0 at home in the first leg versus Slavia Prague last week TCE's favourite Moldovan club face an uphill battle tonight in the second leg as they go all out to go one step closer to qualifing for the Champions League group stages.
Ladbrokes make the home side strong favourites at 2/7. If you fancy a shock away win you can get 7/1. The draw listed at 7/2. TCE loves an underdog and notes that Sheriff hit the post in last weeks game so at 7/1 it may be worth a speculative £1 bet. A 1-1 draw at 7/1 is also TCE's choice.
Elsewhere, the pressure in on Tony Mowbray's Celtic who play at Dinamo Moscow in their 2nd Leg 1-0 down. Ladbrokes go 5/6 for the home side, a draw at 23/10 with the Scottish Champions at 13/5. TCE predicts a difficult night in store for Celtic.
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