Category:The Football League founder members

The Football League in England, the oldest football league in the world, was founded by Aston Villa Football Club, at the suggestion of club director William McGregor, who were in search of regular competitive football. After discussions with other club directors, very few were initially interested with noticeable rejection from London area clubs, possibly under the influence of the Football Association. Eventually, the Football League began in 1888 with 12 founder members. Stoke City were just called Stoke at the time; they didn't take the name Stoke City until 1928. Accrington and Stoke are the only founder members never to have won the FA Cup.