The Spartan League was established in 1907 with six clubs; Bromley, Dulwich Hamlet, Leytonstone, Nunhead, Shepherd's Bush and West Norwood.[1] It gained five clubs for its second season, and split into two divisions, Eastern and Western.[1] In 1909–10 the split was changed to Section A and B, before the league reverted to a single division in 1910–11.[1]
The league added a second division in 1920, and in 1925 it added another division, with Division Two divided into 2A and 2B.[1] This structure lasted until 1928 when the league gained another division, with both Division One and Two divided into East and West divisions.[1] The following season the league was reorganised, with a Premier Division created above Division One and Division Two still divided into East and West sections.[1] This structure remained unchanged until World War II.[2] The league restarted in 1945 and was divided into three divisions; Central, Eastern and Western.[2] The following season it reverted to a single division.[1]
In 1975 the league merged with the Metropolitan–London League, forming the London Spartan League, which ran with two divisions; Division One and Division Two.[3] In 1977 they were renamed, becoming the Premier Division and Senior Division.[3] The league readopted the name Spartan League in 1987,[4] A third division, the Intermediate Division, was added for the 1987–88 season; by 1992 it had been renamed Division Two.[4]
In 1997 it merged with the South Midlands League to form the Spartan South Midlands League. The new league initially ran with two Premier Divisions (north and south), a Senior Division and two Division Ones (north and south).[5]
For the following season the league was reorganised, with a Premier Division created above Division One and Division Two still divided into East and West sections.[1][2]
