1937–38 Southern Football League

The 1937–38 season was the 40th in the history of the Southern League. Guildford City won the title.[1] Ipswich Town were again the only Southern League club to apply for election to the Football League, and this time were successful.

Final table

Football league season
Southern Football League
Season1937–38
ChampionsGuildford City (1st title)
PromotedIpswich Town
Relegatednone
Matches played306
Goals scored1,212 (3.96 per match)

A total of 18 teams contest the division, including 15 sides from previous season and three new teams.

Newly elected teams:

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification
1 Guildford City 34 22 5 7 94 60 1.567 49
2 Plymouth Argyle II 34 18 9 7 98 58 1.690 45
3 Ipswich Town 34 19 6 9 89 54 1.648 44 Elected to Football League Third Division South
4 Yeovil & Petters United 34 14 14 6 72 45 1.600 42
5 Norwich City II 34 15 11 8 77 55 1.400 41
6 Colchester United 34 15 8 11 90 58 1.552 38
7 Bristol Rovers II 34 14 8 12 63 62 1.016 36
8 Swindon Town II 34 14 7 13 70 76 0.921 35
9 Tunbridge Wells Rangers 34 14 6 14 68 74 0.919 34
10 Aldershot II 34 10 12 12 42 55 0.764 32
11 Cheltenham Town 34 13 5 16 72 68 1.059 31
12 Exeter City II 34 13 5 16 71 75 0.947 31
13 Dartford 34 9 11 14 51 70 0.729 29
14 Bath City 34 9 9 16 45 65 0.692 27
15 Folkestone 34 10 6 18 58 82 0.707 26
16 Newport County II 34 10 6 18 56 86 0.651 26
17 Barry 34 8 7 19 50 88 0.568 23
18 Torquay United II 34 8 7 19 46 81 0.568 23
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976-77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.

Football League election

Ipswich Town were the only non-League club to apply for election to the Football League Third Division South. Having been unsuccessful the previous season, this time they won more votes than both Football League clubs, the first time a non-League club had topped an admission ballot since 1920.[2]

Club League Votes
Ipswich Town Southern League 36
Walsall Football League Third Division South 34
Gillingham Football League Third Division South 24

References

  1. ^ England - Southern League Final Tables RSSSF
  2. ^ A history of admission to the Football League
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