FURY AT BIRTH OF LEAGUE
ASTON VILLA might have expected an invitation into the European Super League – given they are one of only five English clubs to have lifted the European Cup.
Yet when the Midlands club played a key role in the formation of the Football League 133 years ago, it became clear that profits and politics would always come first in football.
A statue of William McGregor stands outside Villa Park. The Scot had become a committee member at his local club in Aston in 1877.
Eleven years later, he became the driving force behind the Football League, following the game’s turn towards professionalism.
The Cricket and Football Field sporting newspaper reported that “a dozen association clubs, who style themselves the pick of the talent have joined hands for their own mutual benefit, apparently without a care for those unhappily shut out in the cold”. Sound familiar?
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez may have even taken his inspiration from McGregor when he asked Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham to join the ESL.
McGregor decided that the Football League would be based around the railway network of the Midlands and North West to meet transport needs.
The Villa administrator had decided on a one-town, one-club policy.
That meant Villa’s Birminghambased rivals Mitchell St George’s were out.
McGregor’s view that gate money should be divided by both clubs was immediately dismissed and replaced by a guarantee that visiting clubs would be paid £15
It was decided that Everton would represent the city of Liverpool, ahead of Bootle, because their Anfield stadium was reserved for football and not shared with a cricket club.
Notts County were given the nod ahead of the stronger teams at Forest and Notts Rangers.
Stoke’s invitation, ahead of rivals Port Vale, may have had something to do with their secretary Harry Lockett being already lined up to become the Football League’s first secretary.
Halliwell missed out to Bolton – despite recently beating their neighbours 4-1.
So Accrington, Villa, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Derby, Everton, Notts County, Preston, Stoke, West Brom and Wolves became founding members of the Football League.