1931–32 Southern Football League

The 1931–32 season was the 34th in the history of the Southern League. The league consisted of Eastern and Western Divisions.[1] Dartford won the Eastern Division for the second successive season, whilst newly elected Yeovil & Petters United won the Western Division. Dartford were declared Southern League champions after winning a championship play-off 2–1.[2]

Five clubs from the Southern League applied to join the Football League, with Aldershot Town and Newport County being successful.

Eastern Division

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Southern Football League Eastern Division
Season1931–32
ChampionsDartford (2nd title)
PromotedAldershot Town
RelegatedPeterborough & Fletton United (resigned)
Sheppey United (resigned)
Matches played90
Goals scored358 (3.98 per match)

A total of 10 teams contest the division, including 8 sides from previous season and two new teams.

Newly elected teams:

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification
1 Dartford 18 12 3 3 53 18 2.944 27
2 Folkestone 18 12 2 4 58 27 2.148 26
3 Guildford City 18 11 1 6 33 24 1.375 23
4 Norwich City reserves 18 9 2 7 46 33 1.394 20
5 Millwall reserves 18 9 2 7 41 39 1.051 20
6 Tunbridge Wells Rangers 18 7 5 6 23 25 0.920 19
7 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic reserves 18 6 4 8 43 61 0.705 16
8 Peterborough & Fletton United 18 4 5 9 28 29 0.966 13 Left league at end of season
9 Aldershot Town 18 3 5 10 17 30 0.567 11 Elected to the Football League Third Division South
10 Sheppey United 18 2 1 15 16 72 0.222 5 Left league at end of season
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.

Western Division

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Southern Football League Western Division
Season1931–32
ChampionsYeovil & Petters United
PromotedNewport County
RelegatedSwindon Town II (resigned)
Ebbw Vale (resigned)
Matches played156
Goals scored752 (4.82 per match)

A total of 13 teams contest the division, including 11 sides from previous season and two new teams.

Team relegated from 1930–31 Football League:

Newly elected team:

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification
1 Yeovil & Petters United 24 16 4 4 65 31 2.097 36
2 Plymouth Argyle II 24 15 5 4 81 31 2.613 35
3 Bath City 24 12 7 5 50 33 1.515 31
4 Llanelly 24 12 4 8 65 46 1.413 28
5 Taunton Town 24 13 2 9 53 58 0.914 28
6 Newport County 24 10 6 8 70 51 1.373 26 Elected to the Football League Third Division South
7 Exeter City II 24 9 7 8 59 43 1.372 25
8 Merthyr Town 24 9 4 11 66 73 0.904 22
9 Bristol Rovers II 24 8 4 12 54 47 1.149 20
10 Swindon Town II 24 8 4 12 54 95 0.568 20 Left league at end of season
11 Barry 24 7 3 14 58 76 0.763 17
12 Torquay United II 24 5 6 13 43 66 0.652 16
13 Ebbw Vale 24 3 2 19 34 102 0.333 8 Left league at end of season
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

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As Wigan Borough (resigned) and Thames (disbanded) had left the Football League, there were two places available, one in the Third Division North and one in the Third Division South. However, Mansfield Town were transferred from the South to the North division, meaning both vacant positions were in the South division. Five Southern League clubs applied, with Aldershot Town and Newport County (a year after being voted out) being successful in the vote.[3]

Club League Votes
Gillingham Football League 41
Newport County Southern League 36
Aldershot Town Southern League 35
Llanelly Southern League 25
Guildford City Southern League 8
Merthyr Town Southern League 2

References

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