Isthmian League First Division

The Isthmian League First Division (also known for sponsorship reasons as the Ryman League First Division) was part of the Isthmian League, an English association football league.

The first division ranked below the league's Premier Division and above a variety of local leagues in southeastern England including the Isthmian's own Second Division. It has a slightly complex history due to various reorganisations by the F.A. of the National League System, and within the Isthmian League itself.

History

Prior to 1973-74, there was only one division of the Isthmian League. The creation of a second division, with teams taken largely from the Athenian League, occurred in 1973. Until 1976-77, however, what is now the Premier League was called the first division.

In 1977-78, the creation of a third division lead to the rebranding of the three leagues as the 'Premier Division', 'First Division' and 'Second Division'. It is this incarnation of the First Division that joined the National League System as the feeder league to the Isthmian League Premier Division and survived until 2001-02.

In 2002, the First and Second divisions of the Isthmian League were merged to form the regional Isthmian League Division One North and Isthmian League Division One South. This lasted just two seasons until Phase One of the restructuring of the National League System. The two First Divisions of the Isthmian League were recombined to become one of four "Step 4" leagues, making them part of the eighth overall tier of the English football league system.

This lasted just two more seasons until Phase Two's introduction, planned for the 2006-07 season. The league was split back into the Isthmian League Division One North and the Isthmian League Division One South, in accordance with the FA's plans.

Past champions

*"For champions of the 1973-1977 incarnation of the Isthmian Division One see Isthmian League Premier Division"

"This division was continued from Isthmian League Division Two"