OTD E0066 — 05 Jan 1889: Preston Clinch the First Football League Title — and Football Learns to Live on a Schedule

05 Jan 1889: Preston North End beat Notts County 4–1 at Deepdale and effectively clinch the first-ever Football League title — weeks before the season ends. The 1888–89 Football League is the world’s first organized national round robin league, invented to guarantee fixtures and gate receipts. Preston finish unbeaten as the original “Invincibles” and go on to complete the first League-and-FA Cup Double. Tips/corrections: [email protected]