 New Brompton joined the Southern League upon its creation in 1894 , being placed in Division Two because it was one of the last clubs to be invited to join the league . Upon joining the league , New Brompton turned professional , with the players agreeing to be paid 12 shillings per match , and promptly won the Division Two championship in the 1894 – 95 season . With a record of one defeat and eleven victories from twelve matches , the team concluded the season with a " test match " against Swindon Town , who had finished bottom of Division One . As 5 – 1 winners , New Brompton gained promotion to Division One the following season . In 1896 the club appointed its first manager when William Ironside Groombridge , who had previously served as the club 's financial secretary , took charge of team affairs . Groombridge served the club , as secretary and sometimes manager , until well after the First World War . 
