Strength in Depth, Episode 2; Edwardian Values

The formation of the Football League in 1888 proved to be an immediate success, and this success meant that there would be competition throughout its early years. This week on Strength In Depth, we look at the first quarter century of the non-league game. The Southern League was formed as a rival professional league to the Football League, the growth of rugby league threatened the development of the association game across the country, and the amateurs threatened to cleave the game into two. This week, we have the story of the non-league game between 1888 and 1914.