On this day in 1919, The Arsenal are controversially elected into the newly reformed First Division

During World War I, football in England is suspended for some time. After the war ends the Football League are looking at a reform to expand both the First and Second Division to hold 22 teams each. League clubs know as early as January 1919 that an election process will be held in March, so many high profile clubs starts arguing their cases publicly as to why they should be elected into the First Division.

This is made even more complicated by the fact that a game between Manchester United and Liverpool in April 1915 is fixed by the players, resulting in Chelsea being relegated that season. The Football League openly claims that expanding the league would help make Chelsea right.

At the election process on March 10th, Chelsea is unanimously elected to the First Division. Seven other teams has applied for the final place in the First Division, and The Arsenal is one of them. Tottenham is one of the other teams that has applied. After a vote, The Arsenal are elected into the First Division, with 18 votes over Tottenham's eight.