Went to Wentworth Castle yesterday; nearest settlement, Barnsley. The house and surroundings have stately gardens, sheep and deer fields, various classical buildings, splendid glass house (not open); all well looked after but sadly no facilities at the moment, due to Covid-19. But a good day was had by all:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wentworth-castle-gardens
It was last a teacher training college. I believe I may know one or two teachers who have studied there?
Part of the estate, which has all the features of an historic monumental garden, includes a Corinthian temple (circa 1766), ideal for a stop off snack in shelter, rolly polly down the grassy slope (not me) SEE ABOVE. It allowed me to reflect on the famous amateur leagues competed for in the South of England, which included The Athenian, Spartan, Isthmian, Delphian and Hellenic and of course the Corinthian League. You will note the classical links.
If you have no idea what is going here then:
Corinth: an historic Greek city state with two strategic ports, Corinthians a book in the bible.
Athenian: errr, Athens!
Spartan: yes Sparta
Hellenic: the Romans conquered Hellas, as they knew it.
Isthmian:relating to the isthmus which all geographers know is a narrow strip of land joining two bigger areas.
Delphian: a sanctuary in Greek where the "oracle" lived.
I must also refer to the Corinthian Casuals FC for their resilience in promoting amateur football, even today when they have retained their amateur status midst all the professionalism. If you don't know anything about the great side then you must watch the film, "Brothers in Football".
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9577520/
The Corinthian League was founded after the war in 1945 and was competed for until 1963 when they and the Delphian were absorbed into the Athenian League. Growing from 10 clubs in 1912, the leagues merged and by 1963 there were 48 members, sponsored by Kingsmead.
The Delphian began with clubs such as Brentwood, Dagenham, Hertford Town and Edmonton.
The Corinthian League became rejected by the FA for its lack of numbers and so merged with the Athenian League.
The Athenian League was founded in 1912 and folded in 1984. It had 16 clubs in 1963, then absorbed the Corinthian and Delphian clubs but disbanded in 1984.
Clubs went to the Isthmian and Southern League.
The Isthmian became a more prestigious league but has recently been absorbed by the National League. Successful clubs from the Isthmian included Sutton United, Walthamstowe Avenue, Tooting and Mitcham, Hendon and Enfield and of course Guernsey!!
All these clubs were successful in the south and made their mark in the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Amateur Cup (before it was turned into the FA Vase).
It was founded in 1905 and grew absorbing other leagues, with 82 clubs in 4 divisions;
Premier, North (south east). South (south east) and South Central.
The original Isthmian clubs included the Civil Service, Casuals, Clapton, Ilford and London Caledonians; all sworn to amateur football and clubs had to be "invited" to join the league. There were no trophies or medals and the motto was "Honor sufficit"...honour is enough.
Today promotion from the Isthmian Premier is to the National League South and there are three regional divisions feeding the Premier.
The 1970s challenged the "Isthmians" as professionalism became common place and amateur football was no longer "official" by 1974-5. The Corinthian Casuals, true amateurs! faced a dilemma.....pay players and compete midst the new professional breed or stay amateur and do their best!! The Casuals never faltered and survive, playing the game in the correct manner.
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