Between 1915 and 1919 competitive football was suspended in England.

Many footballers signed up to fight in the war and as a result many teams were depleted, and fielded guest players instead.

The Football League and FA Cup were suspended and in their place regional league competitions were set up; appearances in these tournaments do not count in players' official records.

The Football League Lancashire and Midland sections were split into a principal tournament, consisting of a single league, and then a subsidiary tournament of four groups.

A championship playoff was held between Stoke and Leeds City, which Leeds won 2–1 on aggregate.