1976–77 Western Football League

The 1976–77 season was the 75th in the history of the Western Football League. The league was split into two divisions for the first time since 1959–60.

Western Football League
Season1976–77
ChampionsFalmouth Town (Premier Division)
Saltash United (Division One)

The league champions for the third time in their history, and the third season in succession, were Falmouth Town. The champions of the new Division One were newcomers Saltash United.[1]

This season was the last in which goal average decided places for teams which were level on points.[1]

Final tables

Premier Division

The new Premier Division was created from the top eighteen clubs in the old single division of the previous season.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGRPtsRelegation
1Falmouth Town34262669242.87580
2Weston-super-Mare341812457311.83966
3Clevedon341810658311.87164
4Bridgwater Town341710751361.41761
5Barnstaple Town34169964481.33357
6Bideford341511870381.84256
7Bridport341681053351.51456
8Paulton Rovers3413101152461.13049
9Taunton Town341461449461.06548Joined the Southern League
10Dawlish3411101336410.87843
11Glastonbury341181556580.96641
12Frome Town3410111345520.86541
13Tiverton Town341171635610.57440
14Welton Rovers34991635460.76136
15Mangotsfield United341042036660.54534
16St Luke's College34762132610.52527
17Exeter City Reserves34732436760.47423[a]
18Westland-Yeovil (R)344102031690.44922Relegated to Division One
Source: [citation needed]
(R) Relegated
Notes:

First Division

The new First Division consisted of the bottom five clubs from the previous season, plus thirteen new clubs:

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGRPtsPromotion
1Saltash United (P)34246481292.79378Promoted to the Premier Division
2Shepton Mallet Town (P)34237484392.15476
3Keynsham Town34232987382.28971
4Melksham Town34207769361.91767
5Chippenham Town341761153431.23357
6Devizes Town341581158441.31852[a]
7Torquay United Reserves341531661591.03448
8Portway Bristol341391257580.98348
9Larkhall Athletic341371459690.85546
10Clandown3410121254580.93142
11Yeovil Town Reserves341171652550.94540
12Brixham United34981745770.58435
13Ottery St Mary348101641610.67234
14Exmouth Town34971840680.58834
15Chard Town34891743630.68333
16Swanage Town & Herston34891748720.66733
17Ilminster Town34891739690.56533
18Heavitree United344102023560.41122
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up to and including the 1976–77 season. The points system: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
(P) Promoted
Notes:

References