In 1898, the Isle of Wight Football Association was born when the founding members met in Newport to lay down the ground rules of a league that, unbeknownst to them at the time, would make history on the island. In the years since, it has grown to encompass a number of successful clubs that have gone on to play against several worthy contenders from the wider world of football with fans now looking to the league when it comes to wagering odds on football games. To familiarise yourself with a brief history of the Isle of Wight Football Association, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
Its early beginnings
As the Isle of Wight Football Association was in its embryonic stages in the late 1800s, it was reportedly composed of only 13 members. Despite the fact that organised football matches had been played locally on an impromptu basis for a number of years before this, it was September 3, 1898, when officially sanctioned league football was finally recognised on the island with October 17 of the same year commemorating its first match. In Cowes, this was run by I.W Football Executive and controlled by Cowes F.C. with a similar situation occurring in Ryde. This then somewhat naturally led to the establishment of 17 teams playing in two divisions compared to 70 sides playing in five divisions today with four out of the 17 teams still actively playing as of 2022.
The 20th Century
At the turn of the 20th Century, an additional four teams had joined the fast-growing Isle of Wight Football Association ahead of the 1905-1906 season. In stark contrast to the end of the 20th century when fans were familiarising themselves with sports betting for the first time, the early 1900s saw football become a spectator sport for the first time. After the Great War, for example, the league now comprises a staggering 42 teams with further expansions made on a recurring basis to accommodate for rapid growth and development and cater to growing demand. A fourth division was then added in 1952 before being disbanded to make way for the formation of two combination divisions in 1967 that were designed for reserve teams only.
The modern day
As the 100-year anniversary of the Isle of Wight Football Association approached, the league had well and truly reached new heights. This was largely bolstered by the introduction of the officially recognised Sunday League which grew from 10 teams in one division to almost 40 teams in three divisions and cemented the role of football as an integral weekend activity in the region. In addition, a number of teams also went on to win the Hampshire Intermediate Cup several times with the Sunday League continuing to be recognised today as the catalyst that had a dramatic impact on local football on the island then and well into the future. Today, local teams are involved in 12 cup competitions and play in the Hampshire, Wessex, and Southern leagues.
Since 1898, the Isle of Wight Football Association has endured rapid growth and development with a number of minor and major changes made along the way. By taking a look at its early beginnings in the late 1800s, for example, it is clear that the league’s 13 founding members were oblivious to the impact their efforts would have on football on the island forevermore. The 20th century, however, is when the league perhaps experienced the most change with several shuffles and rearrangements made. Today, the Isle of Wight Football Association comprises 40 teams in three divisions and continues to have a substantial impact on football fans far and wide.
