1883–84 in English football

The 1883–84 season was the 13th season of competitive football in England.

Since 1880, Bolton Wanderers (founded in 1874), was known to have unofficially offered professional terms to Scottish players ("Scotch Professors"). The subject remained a heated one through the 1880s, directly or indirectly involving many other clubs besides Bolton. Their neighbours, Blackburn Rovers (founded in 1875) and Darwen (founded in 1870) had also signed Scottish players on a 'shamateur' basis using side jobs, either real or fabricated, to facilitate payment. The FA espoused the ideal of amateurism promoted by the likes of Corinthian F.C. from whom the phrase "Corinthian Spirit" came into being.