Athenian League
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- For the 5th century league of Greek city-states, see Delian League.
The Athenian League was an English amateur football league in and around London.
The league was formed in 1912 with nine clubs, but had to close down in 1914 due to the onset of World War I. When it reformed in 1920, only three of the previous teams rejoined. Clubs left and joined the league at a rate of about one a year, with a number leaving to join the Isthmian League, the strongest amateur league in the London area. Total membership remained fairly stable at between 12 and 16 clubs until 1963, when it absorbed most of the clubs from two rival leagues: the Corinthian League (which became the Athenian League First Division) and the Delphian League (which became the Athenian League Second Division). The existing division was renamed the Premier Division.
Over the following years, it lost many clubs to stronger leagues, particularly the Isthmian League and Southern League, and successive waves of Isthmian League expansion in 1973, 1977 and 1984 finally forced the league to disband.
Clubs progressing to stronger leagues
The following teams left the Athenian League to join the Isthmian League:
The following teams left the Athenian League to join the Southern League:
| Year | Teams |
| 1958 | Cambridge City |
| 1965 | Barnet |
| 1976 | Aylesbury United |
| 1977 | Addlestone, Hounslow |
| 1981 | Welling United |
| 1982 | Woodford Town |
References
- Football Club History Database (http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm)