The Combination

The Combination
Organising bodyFA
Founded1888 (first incarnation)
1890 (second incarnation)
First season1888-89
Folded5 April 1889 (first incarnation)
1911 (second incarnation)
CountryEngland
Wales
Number of teams20
Domestic cup(s)FA Cup
Last championsWhitchurch F.C. (3rd title)
Most championshipsEverton reserves (6 titles)

The Combination was a league during the early days of English football. It had two incarnations; the first ran only for the 1888–89 season for teams across Northern England and the Midlands, and was disbanded before completion. The second was created for the 1890–91 season, but persisted until it was defunct in 1911. The league comprised teams primarily from North West England and later Wales.

The league should not be confused with the other former Football Combination, a competition for reserve teams from the South of England, or with the Lancashire Combination, another minor league running around the same time.


© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search