The outbreak of
World War II means all competitive football in England is suspended in September, and the
1939–40 season cancelled. Various regional leagues and cups are set up in place of normal
Football League and
FA Cup competition.
May 2 –
Cap Anson,
Buck Ewing,
Charles "Hoss" Radbourn,
Albert Spalding,
Charles Comiskey, and
Candy Cummings are named to the Hall of Fame by a special committee, just weeks before the Hall opens. Along with the previous selections of
Cy Young and Keeler in the writers' elections, Anson, Ewing and Radbourn arguably complete the 5 initial inductees from the 19th century which were promised but long delayed; Spalding, Comiskey and Cummings were largely elected as pioneers and contributors.
29 May –
Northamptonshire gains (over
Leicestershire at Northampton) their first victory for 99 matches, easily a record in the
County Championship. Their last Championship victory was as far back as 14 May 1935 over
Somerset at Taunton.[3]
23 August – The threat of war causes
the West Indian touring team to preemptively cancel its last six matches and return home
2 September – The
British declaration of war causes all remaining first-class matches to be cancelled. No further first-class games would be played in England until 19 May 1945.
France is readmitted to the championship after the 1939 series is completed but will be unable to take part again until 1947 due to the suspension of international rugby during
World War II