The Birmingham County Football Association was formed in December 1875. The original members were: Calthorpe, Aston Unity, Wednesbury Town, Wednesbury Old Athletic, Stafford Road, Birmingham FC*, Saltley College, Aston Villa, Tipton, St George’s, and West Bromwich (Dartmouth).
Aston Villa, in the person of William McGregor, were the leaders of the movement to form the Football League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion were also founder members. Interestingly both clubs were also almost exclusively 'English' in the era when Scotch Professors were to the fore.
West Bromwich Albion 1888. Goalkeeper Roberts in England jersey.
Aston Villa in 1888 with the Birmingham Senior Cup
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1888- red and white stripes.
Here is a head-to head table from the 13 seasons that all 3 teams were in the top flight.
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
p
|
|
Aston Villa
|
52
|
26
|
12
|
14
|
104
|
73
|
64
|
Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
52
|
19
|
15
|
18
|
85
|
87
|
53
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
52
|
15
|
9
|
28
|
78
|
105
|
39
|
Aston Villa were champions in the seasons 1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, and 1899–1900.
A look at the FA Cup Finals from the 1880s and 1890s is also revealing:
Season
|
Winners
|
Runners Up
|
1885–86
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
|
1886–87
|
Aston Villa
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
1887–88
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
|
1888–89
|
Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
|
1889–90
|
||
1890–91
|
||
1891–92
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
Aston Villa
|
1892–93
|
Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
|
1893–94
|
||
1894–95
|
Aston Villa
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
1895–96
|
Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
|
1896–97
|
Aston Villa
|