Football League's fallen few

Clubs which have lost League status since the war and not returned

NEW BRIGHTON

Voted out of the Third Division North in 1950 and played in the Lancashire Combination, then the Cheshire League. Relocated at Hoylake, but lost Cheshire League status and disbanded in 1981.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Resigned, debt-ridden, in the 1961-62 season. A new club with the same name formed in 1968, and became, nine years later, founder members of Northern Premier (now UniBond League), where they still play.

GATESHEAD

Like Accrington, Gateshead last played League football in the 60s, reformed as a new (and different) club, and now play in the UniBond League.

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE

A fourth successive bid for re-election to the League was rejected in 1970. They had finished bottom on each occasion A new club, with the same name, formed in 1988 and also now play in the UniBond League.

BARROW

The Cumbrian club lost their League place to Hereford in 1972, and after seven unsuccessful years, secured a place in the Alliance Premier League, a forerunner of the Nationwide Conference. The same club still play in the Conference.

WORKINGTON

Football League status ended in 1977 when the club lost its place to Wimbledon. They now play in the North West Counties League.

SOUTHPORT

Lost League status in 1978 and now play in the Nationwide Conference.

ALDERSHOT

Became the first club since Accrington to fold in mid-season when they went into liquidation in March 1992. Supporters immediately reformed the club, which joined the bottom division of what is now the Ryman League and continued to play at the council-owned Recreation Ground. Regularly attract crowds of 2,000 and have climbed up to the Ryman Premier Division.

MAIDSTONE

The Kent club won promotion to the League in 1989 but lasted only three years, the end coming when they were wound up within weeks of the start of the 1992-93 season with debts of nearly pounds 1m.

HEREFORD UNITED

Having won election to the League in 1972, when they replaced Barrow, Hereford suffered the reverse experience 25 years later when they were replaced by Macclesfield Town. They have survived the drop, however, and should be strong enough to challenge again in the near future.

DONCASTER ROVERS

Relegated last year and in dire financial straits, Doncaster have regrouped in the Conference this season and have attracted their best crowds for many years, despite failing to climb out of the bottom half of the table.