Page "Eastern Counties Football League" Paragraph 7

There had been occasional discussions about adding a second division to the league since its formation, but in 1983 it seemed about to become a reality.

However, it was then delayed by the Football Association at the request of the Essex Senior League.

The idea was resurrected during the 1987 – 88 season and a meeting was held to discuss it on 22 November 1987.

The league contacted 21 clubs who were considered potential members, of which fifteen were interested in joining.

A further four clubs were contacted and another ( Long Sutton Athletic ) asked for details.

Ultimately fourteen clubs applied to join the league ; eight from the Peterborough & District League ( Downham Town, Huntingdon United, King's Lynn reserves, Ortonians, Somersham Town, Warboys Town and Yaxley – Parson Drove also applied later in the year, but were rejected ), three from the Anglian Combination ( Diss Town, Fakenham Town and Wroxham ) and three from the Essex & Suffolk Border League ( Bury Town reserves, Hatfield Peverel and Little Oakley ).

All were accepted except Hatfield Peveral and Little Oakley, whose grounds were deemed inadequate, whilst Ortonians later withdrew after difficulties getting their reserve and ' A ' teams into the Peterborough & District League.

Mildenhall Town from the Cambridgeshire League and Ipswich Wanderers from the Ipswich Sunday League were later invited to join, whilst Halstead Town were persuaded to transfer from the Essex Senior League after Ortonian's late withdrawal, allowing the inaugural Division One season in 1988 – 89 to start with 14 clubs.