South London hasn't always been represented in the English football leagues. Right now, it accounts for 5% of all clubs, from Crystal Palace in the Premier League to newly promoted Bromley. This number is constant from last year, despite Sutton United's relegation from League Two.
The first South London club that got to the leagues made it in 1893. At the Football League's inception in 1888, all clubs were from the North or Midlands, so when Woolwich Arsenal came along to the Second Division, it was a remarkable achievement. As their name suggests, they came from Woolwich, and plied their trade in Plumstead. Twenty years later, they said goodbye to Woolwich and relocated nearer to Islington, and no one's heard of them since.
The full list of South London league clubs isn't particularly lengthy:
- Crystal Palace
- Millwall
- Charlton Athletic
- AFC Wimbledon
- Bromley
- Sutton United
- Wimbledon, who moved away to Milton Keynes in 2003 and maybe became MK Dons
- (Woolwich) Arsenal
There are some that came close, like Croydon Common, who were one league away from potential election to the Football League in 1909. Instead, they were relegated that same season.
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