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1899 G. O. Smith in M. Shearman et al. Football (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) (new ed.) 171 In accordance with the League system a certain number of clubs play home and home matches together.

1902 Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 425/2 An elaboration of this competition is the ‘League system’ of the Association game. This..has not been popular with Rugby players. Still it is prevalent in many districts... In the League system a certain number of clubs form a league to play one another twice each season; two points are counted for a win, and one for a draw. The club which at the end of the season comes out with most points wins the competition.