Season 1939-40 - 1st Division This season was abandoned with just three matches played, one day after Great Britain and France declared War on Nazi Germany. Many players were called up, and the national railway network was reserved for evacuation of children and vital military transport. The results of the three rounds of matches played in the 1st Division were expunged from the official records. Charlton's matches are shown here for historical interest. Match 1 of 3
Season 1946-47 - 1st Division For seven years during and after the Second World War the national leagues were suspended. Most league teams continued to play in regional leagues (the Southern League in Charlton's case) using many guest players and players on leave from active service. Keeping football going was seen as tremendously important for keeping up public morale during the War years. In the summer of 1945, with conflict still raging in the Far East, there was not sufficient time to re-establish the old national leagues in England, though the FA Cup was reinstated for the 1945-46 season. Uniquely, all rounds of the FA Cup until the semi-Finals were played over two legs. Charlton Athletic reached the Final of the 1946 FA Cup, eventually losing 1-4 against Derby County after extra time (the score being 1-1 after 90 minutes). To reach that Wembley Final in front of 98,000 fans Charlton played 9 matches after entering at the 3rd Round stage on January 5th 1946. The original national English Leagues were restored in August 1946, with the order of matches the same as they had been in the abandoned 1939-40 season. Match 1 of 42
