On this day in 1893, the Football League made a significant decision regarding the expansion of its Second Division. The League had resolved to increase the number of clubs from 12 to 16 for the upcoming 1893/94 season. At the League’s Annual General Meeting, Newcastle United and Rotherham Town were elected to join the division. However, the League decided to advertise for clubs to fill the remaining two spots. Applications were received from several clubs, including Doncaster Rovers, Liverpool, Loughborough, Middlesbrough Ironopolis, and Woolwich Arsenal. Ultimately, the Football League announced that Liverpool and Arsenal would fill the final two places. This decision was particularly notable for Arsenal, as they became the first southern side in the Football League, which meant that other clubs in the division would incur additional travelling costs. Arsenal’s 1892/93 fixture list had consisted mainly of friendlies, apart from the FA Cup.
31st May 1961
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Wembley Stadium, known primarily for hosting football matches, has also been the venue for a variety of unusual events over the years. One of the most peculiar took place on 31st May 1961. A 150-foot tower was constructed at one end of the stadium, and on this day, as well as on 1st June, 50 tons of ice were crushed into artificial snow for each session. This snow was spread to a depth of six inches on the bottom slope of the tower. Spectators who paid to attend were treated to the spectacle of ski-jumping at Wembley, a unique event in the stadium’s history.
31st May 1980
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On 31st May 1980, Brighton’s Peter Ward made his debut for the England national football team. Ward was brought on as an 85th-minute substitute in a match against Australia in Sydney. Despite this opportunity, it turned out to be Ward’s only appearance for England, as he did not play for the national team again. This match remains a notable moment in Ward’s football career, marking his brief stint on the international stage.