1981-82 in English football
Encyclopedia
The 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England
.
It was also the first season that the Three points for a win
system was introduced.
made up for the previous season's slip in league form by winning the league championship for the 13th time in their history, fighting off competition from Ipswich Town
, Manchester United
and Spurs
. Liverpool also won the Football League Cup
for the second season in succession. The league triumph was made all the more significant by the fact that they had occupied 10th place on Christmas Day.
Their season of triumph was overshadowed, however, by the death of former manager Bill Shankly
, 67, following a heart attack in late September.
Middlesbrough
and Wolves
were relegated as financial problems at both clubs began to mount. They were joined by Leeds United, who had gradually fallen apart in the eight years since Don Revie
's departure.
West Bromwich Albion
felt the loss of manager Ron Atkinson
and key players Bryan Robson
and Remi Moses
as they slumped to 19th in the league and narrowly avoided relegation. This was just the beginning of a sharp decline for a club who three seasons earlier
had reached the UEFA Cup
quarter-finals and almost won the league title.
Swansea City were tipped for relegation by most observers as they reached the First Division for the first time in their history, having just completed their third promotion in four seasons. But John Toshack's men had a brilliant first game in the top flight, crushing Leeds United 5–1 and setting the tone for a season which would end with Leeds going down. Swansea, meanwhile, were the most unlikely title contenders, topping the league at several stages of the season before finishing sixth in the final table.
Manchester United paid a British record fee of £1.75million for West Bromwich Albion's 24-year-old England midfielder Bryan Robson
. Robson's record-breaking move reflected on how the size of transfer fees had risen dramatically in a relatively short period of time. Less than four years earlier, the British record fee had been the £516,000 that West Bromwich Albion had paid for David Mills. In such a short amount of time, the British record had more than tripled.
Despite Robson's fee the transfer market saw a significant drop in fees as the general economic recession hit the game. Players such as Brian Greenhoff
and Len Cantello
who had commanded six-figure fees three years earlier were given free transfers to reduce the wage bill when their contracts came to an end. Bristol City
were only saved from extinction when eight senior players still on contract from their First Division days agreed to have them terminated.
Everton, who had struggled in the league for the past few seasons, turned to their former player Howard Kendall
and appointed him as manager in hope of restoring the club to its former glory.
ended their long absence from the top flight by winning promotion from the Second Division. Luton's local rivals Watford
, owned by Elton John
and managed by Graham Taylor
, were runners-up and would begin 1982–83
as First Division members for the first time in their history. Also promoted were third placed Norwich City
, who ensured an instant return to the First Division.Cardiff City
, Wrexham
and Orient
were the unfortunate three clubs to lose their Second Division status at the end of the 1981–82 season.
, Carlisle United
and Fulham
enjoyed some success after a string of disappointments by winning promotion to the Second Division.
Going down were Wimbledon
, Swindon Town
, Bristol City
and Chester
. Bristol had completed a unique succession of three relegations due to administration entrance from the previous season and leaving administration without arrangements during the beginning of 1982, while Swindon had been League Cup winners little over a decade earlier. Wimbledon, meanwhile, would not be enduring any more disappointing season for many years after 1982.
Joe Royle
, the 33-year-old former Everton
striker, began his managerial career at Oldham Athletic.
began the first phase of their revival by winning the Fourth Division championship, which marked a superb start to the management career of Ian Porterfield. Also promoted were Bradford City
, Wigan Athletic
and Bournemouth
.
Crewe Alexandra
endured a terrible season and propped up the league with just 27 league points, but the other league members voted in their favour and they maintained their league status.
retained the trophy, drawing 1–1 with QPR (managed by former Tottenham player Terry Venables
) in the first game before winning the replay 1–0. You can see a review and video of the 1982 FA Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
In the semi-final against Leicester City
, Argentine
midfielder Ossie Ardiles was booed whenever he touched the ball and after the game returned to his homeland, missing the final along with fellow Argentine Ricardo Villa
. This phase of the season coincided with the conflict
between the UK
and Argentina
over the Falkland Islands
.
stepped down in February. But they were still in the European Cup. And his assistant Tony Barton stepped up to the manager's seat and guided Villa to the final, where they beat Bayern Munich thanks to a Peter Withe
goal and were crowned champions of Europe to make it six European Cup wins in a row for English clubs.
sign 22-year-old goalkeeper Neville Southall
from Bury
for £150,000.
4 August 1981: Nottingham Forest
sign 20-year-old midfielder Mark Proctor
from Middlesbrough
for £440,000.
19 August 1981: Brighton
sign Liverpool
midfielder Jimmy Case
for £350,000.
29 August 1981: The first Football League games of the season are played. Swansea City
begin life as a First Division side on a high note by beating Leeds United
5–1. Howard Kendall
begins his career as Everton
manager by guiding them to a 3–1 win over Middlesbrough
.
26 September 1981: Legendary former Liverpool
manager Bill Shankly
, 67, is admitted to hospital on Merseyside
after suffering a heart attack, but doctors treating him are confident that he will make a full recovery.
29 September 1981: Bill Shankly dies in hospital after suffering a second heart attack.
30 September 1981: September ends with Ipswich Town
leading the First Division and looking like good bets for winning the title that they narrowly missed out on last season. Newly promoted West Ham United
and Swansea City are their nearest challengers, with Nottingham Forest
and Manchester United
completing the top five. Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion
and Sunderland
occupy the three relegation places, while defending champions Aston Villa
are 16th after winning just one of their opening seven games, and traditional title favourites Liverpool
occupy 12th place after just two wins so far this season. The race for a place in next season's First Division is headed by Sheffield Wednesday
, Luton Town
and Norwich City
, while Watford
(who have never been in the top flight) and Oldham Athletic (who were last among the elite in 1923) are giving the top three a run for their money in the Second Division. On the continental scene, Liverpool
beat Finnish
league champions Oulun Palloseura
7–0 at Anfield
to complete an 8–0 aggregate first leg triumph, with young striker Ian Rush
(who turns 20 in October) scoring his first senior goal for the club.
1 October 1981: Manchester United
pay a national record fee of £1.5 million for West Bromwich Albion
midfielder Bryan Robson
.
7 October 1981: Ian Rush scores his first domestic goals for Liverpool, finding the net twice in their second round first leg League Cup 5–0 win over Exeter City at Anfield
.
10 October 1981: Ian Rush scores his first league goals for Liverpool in their 3–0 home win over Leeds United
.
26 October 1981: Liverpool
sign 20-year-old Scottish
defender Steve Nicol
from Ayr United for £300,000.
31 October 1981: Manchester United finish October as First Division leaders, giving fans hope that new manager Ron Atkinson
will deliver the club their first top division title since 1967 in his first season as manager. However, second placed Ipswich Town are level on points with them, and have two games in hand. Tottenham Hotspur
, Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are also proving to be close rivals for the title. Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers
and Middlesbrough occupy the relegation places. Luton Town's
recent excellent form has taken them to the top of the Second Division, heading a promotion race in which Watford stand second and Sheffield Wednesday are third, with the likes of Oldham Athletic, QPR and Barnsley
pushing them hard.
18 November 1981: England
seal qualification for the World Cup with a 1–0 win over Hungary
at Wembley in their final qualifying game.
30 November 1981: November draws to a close with Manchester United still top of the First Division, though Swansea City are two points behind them with a game in hand. Ipswich Town and Tottenham Hotspur are still pushing them hard, as are Southampton
, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City
occupy the relegation places, while defending champions Aston Villa are still 13th in the league and Liverpool are 10th. Luton Town continue to head the Second Division promotion race by a comfortable margin, with Watford and QPR completing the top three. Oldham Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday are close behind them.
15 December 1981: Swansea City go top of the First Division with a 2–1 home win over defending champions Aston Villa. If "the Swans" win the league this season, they will be the first Welsh side to be champions of the English league and only the fourth side to win the top division title a year after being promoted.
31 December 1981: 1981 draws to a close with Manchester City
top of the First Division and looking like good bets to win their first top division title since 1968. However, just two points separate the top five places that are also occupied by Southampton, Swansea City, Manchester United and Ipswich Town. Bobby Robson's
Ipswich Town side have the greatest advantage – fifth in the league but two points off the top position with four games in hand. Luton Town continue as runaway leaders of the Second Division, while Oldham Athletic have muscled into the promotion zone and are second, with Watford completing the top three.
7 January 1982: Everton
sign 20-year-old midfielder Adrian Heath
from Stoke City
for £700,000.
26 January 1982: Ian Rush scores his first Liverpool hat-trick in a 4–0 league win over Notts County
at Meadow Lane
.
31 January 1982: January ends with Southampton top of the First Division which they have never been champions of. Manchester United are a point behind them, while Ipswich Town are two points off the top but still have three games in hand. Manchester City's title hopes remain strong as they occupy fourth place with a two-point gap between themselves and the leaders. Liverpool's resurgence has seen them climb into fifth place (ahead of Swansea City on goal difference). Brighton
, in only their third season as a top flight club, have emerged as outside title challengers and good bets for at least a UEFA Cup
place as they stand seventh in the league. Defending champions Aston Villa, meanwhile, are going from bad to worse as they occupy 17th place. Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers occupy the relegation places. Luton Town, Oldham Athletic and Watford head the Second Division promotion race, followed closely behind by Blackburn Rovers
, Chelsea
and QPR.
9 February 1982: Ron Saunders
announces his resignation as manager of defending league champions Aston Villa
and is succeeded by assistant Tony Barton.
13 February 1982: Ipswich Town, who are in strong contention for the First Division title, suffer a shock FA Cup exit at Shrewsbury Town in the fifth round.
18 February 1982: Nine days after walking out on Aston Villa, Ron Saunders makes a surprise return to management with their local rivals Birmingham City
.
28 February 1982: February ends with Southampton still top of the First Division, with Swansea City's even more surprising challenge back on track after a slight blip as they occupy second place. Manchester United continue to look like good bets for their first title in 15 years as they occupy third place and are six points off the top of the league with two games in hand. Liverpool's resurgence continues as they now stand fourth and are eight points off top place with three games in hand. Arsenal
have broken into the top five at the expense of Ipswich Town, while the challenge by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City has crumbled and they have fallen out of the top five. Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers remain in the bottom three. Luton Town, Watford and Oldham Athletic continue to head the Second Division promotion race, with their nearest challenge now coming from an unlikely Rotherham United
side who have yet to play top division football.
6 March 1982: Shrewsbury Town's impressive FA Cup run comes to an end when they lose 5–2 to Second Division rivals Leicester City at Filbert Street
.
13 March 1982: Liverpool retain the Football League Cup
with a 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur
in the Wembley final
. You can see a review and video of the 1982 League Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
25 March 1982: Southampton
sign 18-year-old Oxford United
defender Mark Wright in an £80,000 deal.
31 March 1982: Southampton are month-end leaders of the First Division for the third month running, but Liverpool are closing in on them in second place – a point behind with three games in hand. Ipswich Town have got their challenge back on track this month and are now third, while Manchester United and Swansea City complete the top five. The bottom three of Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers remain unchaged from last month. Watford have overhauled Luton Town as Second Division leaders, with Sheffield Wednesday now completing the top three. Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United
are close behind in the promotion race. Fulham
defender Dave Clement
, who was capped five times by England
and spent the first 14 years of his career at Queen's Park Rangers, commits suicide.
3 April 1982: FA Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur reach the final for the second reason running with a 2–0 semi-final win over surprise contestants Leicester City in the semi-final, while Queens Park Rangers are the lucky Second Division side who manage to overcome West Bromwich Albion in the other semi-final to reach the FA Cup final for the first time in their history. Tottenham's victory is marred by Leicester fans booing Argentine
midfielder Ossie Ardiles amid hostility over the Falklands War
, between Britain
and Argentina
, which broke out yesterday.
21 April 1982: Tottenham Hotspur are left with only the FA Cup to play for after losing the European Cup Winners' Cup
semi-final 2–1 on aggregate to FC Barcelona
, just weeks after losing the League Cup final, and with their league title challenge also now over.
27 April 1982:Cyrille Regis
, West Bromwich Albion striker, becomes only the third black England full international when he comes on as a substitute in the 1–0 win over Wales
in a friendly at Ninian Park
.
30 April 1982: Manchester United
agree a £30,000 deal with Irish
club St Patrick's Athletic for 22-year-old defender Paul McGrath
. Their title challenge, however, is almost certainly over as they now have five games to play and are 10 points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Ipswich Town stand second, Swansea City are third and Southampton complete the top five. Manchester City, who led the league four months ago, are now 10th. Middlesbrough remain bottom of the First Division, but Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland have climbed out of the bottom three at the expense of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion. Luton Town's promotion is now almost certain, while Watford are also looking likely to reach the First Division this year – for the first time in their history. Sheffield Wednesday currently occupy the final promotion place, but the likes of Leicester City
and a resurgent Norwich City, as well as QPR, are giving them a real run for their money. Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, however, have been effectively eliminated from the promotion race following a month of poor results.
15 May 1982: The Football League season ends, with Liverpool champions of the top flight for the 13th time. Going down to the Second Division are Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Middlesbrough, whose places in the First Division are taken by Luton Town (who last played at this level in 1975), Norwich City (who went down last year) and Watford (who have never played top division football before).
22 May 1982: The FA Cup final
ends in a 1–1 draw between Tottenham
and QPR, with Tottenham's line-up not featuring Argentinians
Ricardo Villa
and Ossie Ardiles who have withdrawn from first-team action due to hostility aimed at them by fans in relation to the Falklands War
between Britain and Argentina. You can see a review and video of the 1982 FA Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
26 May 1982: Aston Villa
lift the European Cup when a Peter Withe
goal gives them victory over Bayern Munich in Rotterdam
.
27 May 1982: Tottenham retain the FA Cup
thanks to a penalty from Glenn Hoddle
in the replay. You can see a review and video of the 1982 FA Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
14 June 1982: Alan Smith, a 19-year-old striker rated as one of the finest prospects in non-league football, leaves Alvechurch
in a £22,000 move to First Division club Leicester City.
16 June 1982: England
open their World Cup
campaign with a 3–1 win over France
.
20 June 1982: England seal qualification to the next stage of the World Cup by defeating Czechoslovakia
2–0.
25 June 1982: England complete their successful first stage of the World Cup with a 1–0 win over Kuwait
.
29 June 1982: England draw 0–0 with West Germany in the first game of the second stage of the World Cup.
5 July 1982: England are eliminated from the World Cup after only managing a goalless draw with host nation Spain. As planned, Ron Greenwood retires as national team manager, and is succeeded by Ipswich's
Bobby Robson
.
26 July 1982: Luton Town
pay a club record fee of £400,00 for Charlton Athletic
striker Paul Walsh
as they prepare for a return to the First Division after sealing the Second Division title.
, 17-year-old Jamaica
born winger, makes his debut for Watford
in their 1–1 home draw with Oldham Athletic in the Second Division.
10 October 1981: Gary Stevens
, 18-year-old full back, makes his debut for Everton
in their 1–1 league draw with West Ham United
at Upton Park
.
21 November 1981: Kevin Richardson
, 18-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Everton in their 2–1 league defeat at home to Sunderland
.
5 December 1981: Stewart Robson
, 17-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Arsenal
in their 2–1 league win over West Ham United at Upton Park
.
24 April 1982: Norman Whiteside
, 16-year-old Northern Irish
forward, makes his debut for Manchester United in their 1–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground
13 days before his 17th birthday.
28 April 1982: Mark Walters
, 17-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Aston Villa in their 4–1 home defeat by Leeds United
in the league.
1 May 1982: Peter Davenport, 21-year-old striker, makes his debut for Nottingham Forest
in a 2–0 league defeat by Liverpool at Anfield
.
15 May 1982: Steve Hodge
, 19-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Nottingham Forest in a 3–1 league win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road
.
.
Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour. * indicates new record for competition
Failure to comply with rules on insolvency= Swindon Town
Administration exit without arrangements and liquidation= Bristol City
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
.
It was also the first season that the Three points for a win
Three points for a win
Three points for a win is a standard used in many sports leagues and group tournaments, especially in association football, in which three points are awarded to the team winning a match, with no points to the losing team. If the game is drawn, each team receives one point...
system was introduced.
First Division
Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England. LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
made up for the previous season's slip in league form by winning the league championship for the 13th time in their history, fighting off competition from Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. Liverpool also won the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
for the second season in succession. The league triumph was made all the more significant by the fact that they had occupied 10th place on Christmas Day.
Their season of triumph was overshadowed, however, by the death of former manager Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly
William "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
, 67, following a heart attack in late September.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
and Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
were relegated as financial problems at both clubs began to mount. They were joined by Leeds United, who had gradually fallen apart in the eight years since Don Revie
Don Revie
Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...
's departure.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
felt the loss of manager Ron Atkinson
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
and key players Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
and Remi Moses
Remi Moses
Remi Mark Moses is a former English football player whose main position was as a defensive midfielder.In 1981, Moses was transferred from West Bromwich Albion to Manchester United for £500,000...
as they slumped to 19th in the league and narrowly avoided relegation. This was just the beginning of a sharp decline for a club who three seasons earlier
1979-80 in English football
The 1979–80 season was the 100th season of competitive football in England.- FA Cup :Second Division West Ham United, managed by John Lyall, won the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1–0 with a Trevor Brooking goal...
had reached the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
quarter-finals and almost won the league title.
Swansea City were tipped for relegation by most observers as they reached the First Division for the first time in their history, having just completed their third promotion in four seasons. But John Toshack's men had a brilliant first game in the top flight, crushing Leeds United 5–1 and setting the tone for a season which would end with Leeds going down. Swansea, meanwhile, were the most unlikely title contenders, topping the league at several stages of the season before finishing sixth in the final table.
Manchester United paid a British record fee of £1.75million for West Bromwich Albion's 24-year-old England midfielder Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
. Robson's record-breaking move reflected on how the size of transfer fees had risen dramatically in a relatively short period of time. Less than four years earlier, the British record fee had been the £516,000 that West Bromwich Albion had paid for David Mills. In such a short amount of time, the British record had more than tripled.
Despite Robson's fee the transfer market saw a significant drop in fees as the general economic recession hit the game. Players such as Brian Greenhoff
Brian Greenhoff
Brian Greenhoff was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Manchester United, Leeds United and Rochdale. He was capped 18 times for England....
and Len Cantello
Len Cantello
Len Cantello is a former football midfielder.He started his career with West Bromwich Albion, playing 11 years for them, despite being transfer-listed in 1974. In 1979 he moved to Bolton Wanderers, spending three years with them, before moving two divisions down to Hereford United...
who had commanded six-figure fees three years earlier were given free transfers to reduce the wage bill when their contracts came to an end. Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
were only saved from extinction when eight senior players still on contract from their First Division days agreed to have them terminated.
Everton, who had struggled in the league for the past few seasons, turned to their former player Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s....
and appointed him as manager in hope of restoring the club to its former glory.
Second Division
Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
ended their long absence from the top flight by winning promotion from the Second Division. Luton's local rivals Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, owned by Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and managed by Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor (football manager)
Graham Taylor OBE is a football pundit, ex-football manager, and a former player. He is best known as the manager of the England national football team, as well as being manager of Watford, a club he took from the Fourth Division to the First in the space of five years, then from bottom of the...
, were runners-up and would begin 1982–83
1982-83 in English football
The 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
as First Division members for the first time in their history. Also promoted were third placed Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, who ensured an instant return to the First Division.Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
and Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
were the unfortunate three clubs to lose their Second Division status at the end of the 1981–82 season.
Third Division
BurnleyBurnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
and Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
enjoyed some success after a string of disappointments by winning promotion to the Second Division.
Going down were Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. Bristol had completed a unique succession of three relegations due to administration entrance from the previous season and leaving administration without arrangements during the beginning of 1982, while Swindon had been League Cup winners little over a decade earlier. Wimbledon, meanwhile, would not be enduring any more disappointing season for many years after 1982.
Joe Royle
Joe Royle
Joseph "Joe" Royle is an English football manager. In his club career, he played for Everton , Manchester City, Bristol City, Norwich City, and the England national team...
, the 33-year-old former Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
striker, began his managerial career at Oldham Athletic.
Fourth Division
Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
began the first phase of their revival by winning the Fourth Division championship, which marked a superb start to the management career of Ian Porterfield. Also promoted were Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
and Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
.
Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
endured a terrible season and propped up the league with just 27 league points, but the other league members voted in their favour and they maintained their league status.
FA Cup
Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
retained the trophy, drawing 1–1 with QPR (managed by former Tottenham player Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
) in the first game before winning the replay 1–0. You can see a review and video of the 1982 FA Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
In the semi-final against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
midfielder Ossie Ardiles was booed whenever he touched the ball and after the game returned to his homeland, missing the final along with fellow Argentine Ricardo Villa
Ricardo Villa
Ricardo Julio "Ricky" Villa is an Argentine football coach and former professional midfielder.-Career:He played successively for Quilmes, Club Atlético Tucumán and Racing Club...
. This phase of the season coincided with the conflict
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
between the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
over the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
.
League Cup
Liverpool added to their league title triumph by retaining the League Cup, with a 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.European football
Defending champions Aston Villa were disappointing in the 1981–82 First Division campaign, and manager Ron SaundersRon Saunders
Ron Saunders is a retired English football player and former successful manager. He remains the only manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, normally bitter rivals....
stepped down in February. But they were still in the European Cup. And his assistant Tony Barton stepped up to the manager's seat and guided Villa to the final, where they beat Bayern Munich thanks to a Peter Withe
Peter Withe
Peter Withe is a much-travelled English footballer who played as a striker, between 1971 and 1990...
goal and were crowned champions of Europe to make it six European Cup wins in a row for English clubs.
Successful players
- SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
striker Kevin KeeganKevin KeeganJoseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
marked his return to English football by scoring more goals than any other player in the Football League and being voted Player of the YearPFA Players' Player of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the year in English football...
by the PFA. - Tottenham's Steve PerrymanSteve PerrymanStephen John "Steve" Perryman MBE is a former English international football player and current manager who is best remembered for his successes with Tottenham Hotspur during the 1970s and early 1980s...
added to his FA Cup winners medal with the FWA Player of the Year award. - Southampton's promising youngster Steve MoranSteve MoranStephen James "Steve" Moran, was a pacy mobile striker who was one of the stars for Southampton during the mid 1980s. Moran was one of the finest strikers that Southampton has possessed...
was elected Young Player of the YearPFA Young Player of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football...
by the PFA. - Peter WithePeter WithePeter Withe is a much-travelled English footballer who played as a striker, between 1971 and 1990...
scored the only goal of the European Cup final to give Aston Villa victory over Bayern Munich. - Bryan RobsonBryan RobsonBryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
gave some strong performances for Manchester United to help justify his English record fee of £1.75million. - Bruce GrobbelaarBruce GrobbelaarBruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar...
, a 24-year-old ZimbabwianZimbabweZimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, became Liverpool'sLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
new goalkeeper in place of Ray ClemenceRay ClemenceRaymond Neal "Ray" Clemence, MBE is one of English and European football's most decorated goalkeepers ever and was part of the Liverpool team of the 1970s.-Scunthorpe United:...
, who was transferred to Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
.
Successful managers
- Bob PaisleyBob PaisleyRobert "Bob" Paisley OBE was an English football half back turned manager. His association with Liverpool was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager.In nine years as manager between 1974...
retained the League Cup and won the league title for Liverpool. - Tony Barton kicked off his management career by winning the European Cup for Aston Villa.
- Keith BurkinshawKeith BurkinshawHarry Keith Burkinshaw is an English former professional footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
helped Tottenham win the FA Cup for the second year running. - Ron AtkinsonRon AtkinsonRonald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
ended his first season as Manchester United manager with a third place league position and qualification for the UEFA Cup. - David PleatDavid PleatDavid John Pleat is an English football player turned manager and sports commentator.He is remembered by his contemporaries primarily for his career as manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town football clubs, and for an oft-televised clip of him running onto the pitch in 1983 to celebrate after...
ended Luton Town's absence from the top flight by guiding them to the Second Division title. - John ToshackJohn ToshackJohn Benjamin Toshack OBE is a Welsh former footballer and manager. He is currently the manager of Macedonia. He has also managed several others clubs including Swansea City, who he took from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons.As a player, he is remembered for being part of the...
helped Swansea City finish a remarkable sixth in their first season as a top division club. - Bobby RobsonBobby RobsonSir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
continued his success with Ipswich Town by guiding them to runners-up spot in the league for the second year in succession. He was then appointed manager of the England team. - Graham Taylor took Watford into the First Division for the first time in their history.
- Terry VenablesTerry VenablesTerence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
guided Second Division Queens Park Rangers to runners-up spot in the F.A Cup. - Don MegsonDon MegsonDonald Harry Megson is an English former footballer and football manager.Don Megson is regarded as one of Sheffield Wednesday's greatest servants. He was signed from Mossley in the Cheshire League by Wednesday in 1952...
took Bournemouth in the Third Division after they finished fourth in the Fourth Division.
Fourth Division
- Keith Edwards (Hull City/Sheffield United) – 36 goals
Diary of the season
13 July 1981: EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
sign 22-year-old goalkeeper Neville Southall
Neville Southall
Neville Southall MBE is a former Wales international footballer, best known for his time with Everton. He has been described as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985...
from Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
for £150,000.
4 August 1981: Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
sign 20-year-old midfielder Mark Proctor
Mark Proctor (footballer)
Mark Proctor is an English former footballer and former football manager. He is currently first team coach of Middlesbrough.-Playing career:...
from Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
for £440,000.
19 August 1981: Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
sign Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
midfielder Jimmy Case
Jimmy Case
James Robert Case is a retired English football player who shot to fame with the all-conquering Liverpool side of the 1970s and became known as a player with one of the hardest shots in the game.-Early life:...
for £350,000.
29 August 1981: The first Football League games of the season are played. Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
begin life as a First Division side on a high note by beating Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
5–1. Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s....
begins his career as Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
manager by guiding them to a 3–1 win over Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
26 September 1981: Legendary former Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
manager Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly
William "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
, 67, is admitted to hospital on Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
after suffering a heart attack, but doctors treating him are confident that he will make a full recovery.
29 September 1981: Bill Shankly dies in hospital after suffering a second heart attack.
30 September 1981: September ends with Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
leading the First Division and looking like good bets for winning the title that they narrowly missed out on last season. Newly promoted West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and Swansea City are their nearest challengers, with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
completing the top five. Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
occupy the three relegation places, while defending champions Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
are 16th after winning just one of their opening seven games, and traditional title favourites Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
occupy 12th place after just two wins so far this season. The race for a place in next season's First Division is headed by Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
and Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, while Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
(who have never been in the top flight) and Oldham Athletic (who were last among the elite in 1923) are giving the top three a run for their money in the Second Division. On the continental scene, Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
beat Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
league champions Oulun Palloseura
Oulun Palloseura
Oulun Palloseura, OPS for short, is a Finnish football club based in Oulu.The football team is currently playing in the Finnish second tier, Ykkönen.-Season to season:-Current Squad 2011:-External links:*...
7–0 at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
to complete an 8–0 aggregate first leg triumph, with young striker Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
(who turns 20 in October) scoring his first senior goal for the club.
1 October 1981: Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
pay a national record fee of £1.5 million for West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
midfielder Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
.
7 October 1981: Ian Rush scores his first domestic goals for Liverpool, finding the net twice in their second round first leg League Cup 5–0 win over Exeter City at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
.
10 October 1981: Ian Rush scores his first league goals for Liverpool in their 3–0 home win over Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
26 October 1981: Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
sign 20-year-old Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
defender Steve Nicol
Steve Nicol
Stephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a...
from Ayr United for £300,000.
31 October 1981: Manchester United finish October as First Division leaders, giving fans hope that new manager Ron Atkinson
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
will deliver the club their first top division title since 1967 in his first season as manager. However, second placed Ipswich Town are level on points with them, and have two games in hand. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are also proving to be close rivals for the title. Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and Middlesbrough occupy the relegation places. Luton Town's
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
recent excellent form has taken them to the top of the Second Division, heading a promotion race in which Watford stand second and Sheffield Wednesday are third, with the likes of Oldham Athletic, QPR and Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
pushing them hard.
18 November 1981: England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
seal qualification for the World Cup with a 1–0 win over Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
at Wembley in their final qualifying game.
30 November 1981: November draws to a close with Manchester United still top of the First Division, though Swansea City are two points behind them with a game in hand. Ipswich Town and Tottenham Hotspur are still pushing them hard, as are Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
occupy the relegation places, while defending champions Aston Villa are still 13th in the league and Liverpool are 10th. Luton Town continue to head the Second Division promotion race by a comfortable margin, with Watford and QPR completing the top three. Oldham Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday are close behind them.
15 December 1981: Swansea City go top of the First Division with a 2–1 home win over defending champions Aston Villa. If "the Swans" win the league this season, they will be the first Welsh side to be champions of the English league and only the fourth side to win the top division title a year after being promoted.
31 December 1981: 1981 draws to a close with Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
top of the First Division and looking like good bets to win their first top division title since 1968. However, just two points separate the top five places that are also occupied by Southampton, Swansea City, Manchester United and Ipswich Town. Bobby Robson's
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
Ipswich Town side have the greatest advantage – fifth in the league but two points off the top position with four games in hand. Luton Town continue as runaway leaders of the Second Division, while Oldham Athletic have muscled into the promotion zone and are second, with Watford completing the top three.
7 January 1982: Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
sign 20-year-old midfielder Adrian Heath
Adrian Heath
Adrian Paul Heath is an English football manager and former player. He manages American USL Pro Orlando franchise. As a player he is remembered as part of the Everton side of the 1980s, where he won several trophies...
from Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
for £700,000.
26 January 1982: Ian Rush scores his first Liverpool hat-trick in a 4–0 league win over Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
at Meadow Lane
Meadow Lane
Not to be confused with The Meadow, home of Southern Football League Premier Division football team Chesham UnitedThe Meadow Lane Stadium is a football stadium in Nottingham, England...
.
31 January 1982: January ends with Southampton top of the First Division which they have never been champions of. Manchester United are a point behind them, while Ipswich Town are two points off the top but still have three games in hand. Manchester City's title hopes remain strong as they occupy fourth place with a two-point gap between themselves and the leaders. Liverpool's resurgence has seen them climb into fifth place (ahead of Swansea City on goal difference). Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, in only their third season as a top flight club, have emerged as outside title challengers and good bets for at least a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
place as they stand seventh in the league. Defending champions Aston Villa, meanwhile, are going from bad to worse as they occupy 17th place. Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers occupy the relegation places. Luton Town, Oldham Athletic and Watford head the Second Division promotion race, followed closely behind by Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and QPR.
9 February 1982: Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders is a retired English football player and former successful manager. He remains the only manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, normally bitter rivals....
announces his resignation as manager of defending league champions Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and is succeeded by assistant Tony Barton.
13 February 1982: Ipswich Town, who are in strong contention for the First Division title, suffer a shock FA Cup exit at Shrewsbury Town in the fifth round.
18 February 1982: Nine days after walking out on Aston Villa, Ron Saunders makes a surprise return to management with their local rivals Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
28 February 1982: February ends with Southampton still top of the First Division, with Swansea City's even more surprising challenge back on track after a slight blip as they occupy second place. Manchester United continue to look like good bets for their first title in 15 years as they occupy third place and are six points off the top of the league with two games in hand. Liverpool's resurgence continues as they now stand fourth and are eight points off top place with three games in hand. Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
have broken into the top five at the expense of Ipswich Town, while the challenge by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City has crumbled and they have fallen out of the top five. Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers remain in the bottom three. Luton Town, Watford and Oldham Athletic continue to head the Second Division promotion race, with their nearest challenge now coming from an unlikely Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
side who have yet to play top division football.
6 March 1982: Shrewsbury Town's impressive FA Cup run comes to an end when they lose 5–2 to Second Division rivals Leicester City at Filbert Street
Filbert Street
Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,...
.
13 March 1982: Liverpool retain the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
with a 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in the Wembley final
1982 Football League Cup Final
The 1982 Milk Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool won the match 3–1 after extra time with goals from Ian Rush and Ronnie Whelan . The match took place on 13 March 1982.-Details:...
. You can see a review and video of the 1982 League Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
25 March 1982: Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
sign 18-year-old Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
defender Mark Wright in an £80,000 deal.
31 March 1982: Southampton are month-end leaders of the First Division for the third month running, but Liverpool are closing in on them in second place – a point behind with three games in hand. Ipswich Town have got their challenge back on track this month and are now third, while Manchester United and Swansea City complete the top five. The bottom three of Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers remain unchaged from last month. Watford have overhauled Luton Town as Second Division leaders, with Sheffield Wednesday now completing the top three. Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
are close behind in the promotion race. Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
defender Dave Clement
Dave Clement
Dave Clement was a football player. Clement was a right fullback who developed with Queens Park Rangers through the club's youth set-up...
, who was capped five times by England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and spent the first 14 years of his career at Queen's Park Rangers, commits suicide.
3 April 1982: FA Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur reach the final for the second reason running with a 2–0 semi-final win over surprise contestants Leicester City in the semi-final, while Queens Park Rangers are the lucky Second Division side who manage to overcome West Bromwich Albion in the other semi-final to reach the FA Cup final for the first time in their history. Tottenham's victory is marred by Leicester fans booing Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
midfielder Ossie Ardiles amid hostility over the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, between Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, which broke out yesterday.
21 April 1982: Tottenham Hotspur are left with only the FA Cup to play for after losing the European Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
semi-final 2–1 on aggregate to FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, just weeks after losing the League Cup final, and with their league title challenge also now over.
27 April 1982:Cyrille Regis
Cyrille Regis
Cyrille Regis, MBE is a French-born English former footballer. His professional playing career spanned 19 years, where he made 610 league appearances and scored 159 league goals, most prolifically at West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City.-Early life:Regis was born in Maripasoula, French Guiana,...
, West Bromwich Albion striker, becomes only the third black England full international when he comes on as a substitute in the 1–0 win over Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a friendly at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
.
30 April 1982: Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
agree a £30,000 deal with Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
club St Patrick's Athletic for 22-year-old defender Paul McGrath
Paul McGrath (footballer)
Paul McGrath is a retired Irish footballer, who played as a defender. McGrath is widely recognised as one of the greatest players to have ever come out of Ireland....
. Their title challenge, however, is almost certainly over as they now have five games to play and are 10 points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Ipswich Town stand second, Swansea City are third and Southampton complete the top five. Manchester City, who led the league four months ago, are now 10th. Middlesbrough remain bottom of the First Division, but Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland have climbed out of the bottom three at the expense of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion. Luton Town's promotion is now almost certain, while Watford are also looking likely to reach the First Division this year – for the first time in their history. Sheffield Wednesday currently occupy the final promotion place, but the likes of Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
and a resurgent Norwich City, as well as QPR, are giving them a real run for their money. Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, however, have been effectively eliminated from the promotion race following a month of poor results.
15 May 1982: The Football League season ends, with Liverpool champions of the top flight for the 13th time. Going down to the Second Division are Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Middlesbrough, whose places in the First Division are taken by Luton Town (who last played at this level in 1975), Norwich City (who went down last year) and Watford (who have never played top division football before).
22 May 1982: The FA Cup final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
ends in a 1–1 draw between Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and QPR, with Tottenham's line-up not featuring Argentinians
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Ricardo Villa
Ricardo Villa
Ricardo Julio "Ricky" Villa is an Argentine football coach and former professional midfielder.-Career:He played successively for Quilmes, Club Atlético Tucumán and Racing Club...
and Ossie Ardiles who have withdrawn from first-team action due to hostility aimed at them by fans in relation to the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
between Britain and Argentina. You can see a review and video of the 1982 FA Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
26 May 1982: Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
lift the European Cup when a Peter Withe
Peter Withe
Peter Withe is a much-travelled English footballer who played as a striker, between 1971 and 1990...
goal gives them victory over Bayern Munich in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
.
27 May 1982: Tottenham retain the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
thanks to a penalty from Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
in the replay. You can see a review and video of the 1982 FA Cup Final and replay at Spurs Memorabilia
14 June 1982: Alan Smith, a 19-year-old striker rated as one of the finest prospects in non-league football, leaves Alvechurch
Alvechurch F.C.
Alvechurch Football Club is English association football club based in Alvechurch, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, currently playing in the Midland Football Alliance. They are affiliated with the Worcestershire County Football Association.-History:...
in a £22,000 move to First Division club Leicester City.
16 June 1982: England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
open their World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
campaign with a 3–1 win over France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
.
20 June 1982: England seal qualification to the next stage of the World Cup by defeating Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
2–0.
25 June 1982: England complete their successful first stage of the World Cup with a 1–0 win over Kuwait
Kuwait national football team
The Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal...
.
29 June 1982: England draw 0–0 with West Germany in the first game of the second stage of the World Cup.
5 July 1982: England are eliminated from the World Cup after only managing a goalless draw with host nation Spain. As planned, Ron Greenwood retires as national team manager, and is succeeded by Ipswich's
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
.
26 July 1982: Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
pay a club record fee of £400,00 for Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
striker Paul Walsh
Paul Walsh
Paul Anthony Walsh is a retired English footballer.Walsh was a diminutive and pacy centre forward who shot to fame in the 1980s during spells with Charlton, Luton, Liverpool and Tottenham.-Charlton Athletic:...
as they prepare for a return to the First Division after sealing the Second Division title.
Famous debuntants
5 September 1981: John BarnesJohn Barnes (footballer)
John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE is an English football manager and former player.During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times...
, 17-year-old Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
born winger, makes his debut for Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in their 1–1 home draw with Oldham Athletic in the Second Division.
10 October 1981: Gary Stevens
Gary Stevens
Gary Michael Stevens is a retired English footballer who is best remembered playing in defence for a successful Everton side of the 1980s, as well as for the England national football team....
, 18-year-old full back, makes his debut for Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in their 1–1 league draw with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
at Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
.
21 November 1981: Kevin Richardson
Kevin Richardson (footballer)
Kevin Richardson is an English former footballer who made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League, playing for Everton, Watford, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Coventry City, Southampton, Barnsley and Blackpool, and also spent a season in La Liga with Real Sociedad. He was...
, 18-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Everton in their 2–1 league defeat at home to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.
5 December 1981: Stewart Robson
Stewart Robson
Stewart Ian Robson is an English former football player. He now summarises for Arsenal TV and sometimes on TalkSPORT's evening Kick Off Show during the week...
, 17-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in their 2–1 league win over West Ham United at Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
.
24 April 1982: Norman Whiteside
Norman Whiteside
Norman Whiteside is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played in two World Cups.He appeared for Manchester United and Everton, before his career was ended by injury at the age of 26. He won the FA Cup twice during his time playing for Manchester United, in 1983 and 1985...
, 16-year-old Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
forward, makes his debut for Manchester United in their 1–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground
Goldstone Ground
The Goldstone Ground was a football stadium and home ground of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. between 1902 and 1997. The club currently plays at American Express Community Stadium, a stadium on the outskirts of the city, following the move from their temporary stadium in the Brighton suburb of...
13 days before his 17th birthday.
28 April 1982: Mark Walters
Mark Walters
Mark Everton Walters is a retired professional footballer from Birmingham, England.-Aston Villa:Walters began his career as an apprentice at Aston Villa on leaving school in the summer of 1980, turning the professional a year later - just after Villa's Football League First Division title triumph...
, 17-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Aston Villa in their 4–1 home defeat by Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in the league.
1 May 1982: Peter Davenport, 21-year-old striker, makes his debut for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in a 2–0 league defeat by Liverpool at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
.
15 May 1982: Steve Hodge
Steve Hodge
Stephen Brian Hodge is a retired English footballer who enjoyed a high-profile club and international career in the 1980s and 1990s.- Playing career :...
, 19-year-old midfielder, makes his debut for Nottingham Forest in a 3–1 league win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road
Portman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
.
National team
Ron Greenwood, 61, retired as England manager after the 1982 World Cup. He was succeeded by the Ipswich manager Bobby RobsonBobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
.
Deaths
- 29 September 1981 – Bill ShanklyBill ShanklyWilliam "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
, 68, former LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
manager who transformed the Reds into one of Europe's top footballing sides. Shankly had taken Liverpool into the First Division in 1962, and over the next 12 years they were league champions three times, FA Cup winners twice and UEFA Cup winners once. Died of a heart attack - 5 March 1982 – Brian HandleyBrian HandleyBrian Handley was an English football centre-forward. He was born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.Handley joined Aston Villa in September 1957 from Goole Town, but had to wait until the 1959-60 season for his league debut...
, 45, former Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
and Rochdale striker. - 31 March 1982 – Dave ClementDave ClementDave Clement was a football player. Clement was a right fullback who developed with Queens Park Rangers through the club's youth set-up...
, 34, former QPRQueens Park Rangers F.C.Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
and EnglandEngland national football teamThe England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
full-back who committed suicide after breaking his leg. At the time of his death, he was registered as a player for WimbledonWimbledon F.C.Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
.
Honours
| Competition | |Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|
| First Division Football League First Division The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship.... |
Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... (13*) |
Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
| Second Division Football League Second Division From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams... |
Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
| Third Division Football League Third Division The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two... |
Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
| Fourth Division Football League Fourth Division The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season... |
Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
Bradford City |
| FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... (7*) |
Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
| League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... (2) |
Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
| Charity Shield FA Community Shield The Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition... |
Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... and Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... (shared) |
|
| Home Championship 1982 British Home Championship The 1982 British Home Championship between the British Home Nations was won by a dominant England football team which won all three of its matches as the tournament returned after being abandoned in 1981 due to civil distubances in Northern Ireland... |
||
Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour. * indicates new record for competition
First Division
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
42 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 80 | 32 | +48 | 87 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
42 | 26 | 5 | 11 | 75 | 53 | 83 | |
| 3 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
42 | 22 | 12 | 8 | 59 | 29 | 78 | |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
42 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 67 | 48 | 71 | |
| 5 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
42 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 48 | 37 | 71 | |
| 6 | Swansea City | 42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 58 | 51 | 69 | |
| 7 | Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 72 | 67 | 66 | |
| 8 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
42 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 56 | 50 | 64 | |
| 9 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
42 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 66 | 57 | 58 | |
| 10 | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
42 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 49 | 50 | −1 | 58 |
| 11 | Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 55 | 53 | 57 | |
| 12 | Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 42 | 48 | −6 | 57 |
| 13 | Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 43 | 52 | −9 | 52 |
| 14 | Coventry City Coventry City F.C. Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry... |
42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 56 | 62 | −6 | 50 |
| 15 | Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
42 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 61 | 69 | −8 | 47 |
| 16 | Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
42 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 53 | 61 | −8 | 44 |
| 17 | West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 46 | 57 | −11 | 44 |
| 18 | Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 44 | 63 | −19 | 44 |
| 19 | Sunderland | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 38 | 58 | −20 | 44 |
| 20 | Leeds United | 42 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 39 | 61 | −22 | 42 |
| 21 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
42 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 63 | −31 | 40 |
| 22 | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
42 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 52 | −18 | 39 |
Second Division
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
42 | 25 | 13 | 4 | 86 | 46 | +40 | 88 |
| 2 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
42 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 76 | 42 | 80 | |
| 3 | Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
42 | 22 | 5 | 15 | 64 | 50 | 71 | |
| 4 | Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
42 | 20 | 10 | 12 | 55 | 51 | 70 | |
| 5 | Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 65 | 43 | 69 | |
| 6 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 59 | 41 | 67 | |
| 7 | Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... |
42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 66 | 54 | 67 | |
| 8 | Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 56 | 48 | 66 | |
| 9 | Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 52 | 50 | 62 | |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 47 | 43 | 59 | |
| 11 | Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
42 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 50 | 51 | −1 | 59 |
| 12 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 60 | 60 | 57 | |
| 13 | Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 50 | 65 | −15 | 51 |
| 14 | Cambridge United Cambridge United F.C. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... |
42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 48 | 53 | −5 | 48 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 34 | 45 | −11 | 48 |
| 16 | Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 53 | 68 | −15 | 48 |
| 17 | Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 53 | 65 | −12 | 46 |
| 18 | Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... |
42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 37 | 57 | −20 | 46 |
| 19 | Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
42 | 13 | 7 | 22 | 39 | 61 | −22 | 46 |
| 20 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 45 | 61 | −16 | 44 |
| 21 | Wrexham Wrexham A.F.C. Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales... |
42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 40 | 56 | −16 | 44 |
| 22 | Leyton Orient Leyton Orient F.C. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63... |
42 | 10 | 9 | 23 | 36 | 61 | −25 | 39 |
Third Division
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
46 | 21 | 17 | 8 | 66 | 45 | +21 | 80 |
| 2 | Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 65 | 50 | 80 | |
| 3 | Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 77 | 51 | 78 | |
| 4 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
46 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 66 | 40 | 77 | |
| 5 | Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... |
46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 63 | 49 | 71 | |
| 6 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 64 | 56 | 71 | |
| 7 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
46 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 63 | 51 | 69 | |
| 8 | Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 56 | 47 | 68 | |
| 9 | Millwall Millwall F.C. Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the... |
46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 62 | 62 | 67 | |
| 10 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 64 | 56 | 65 | |
| 11 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 57 | 58 | −1 | 64 |
| 12 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 67 | 75 | −8 | 62 |
| 13 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
46 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 56 | 51 | 61 | |
| 14 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 50 | 56 | −6 | 61 |
| 15 | Bristol Rovers Bristol Rovers F.C. Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city.... |
46 | 18 | 9 | 19 | 58 | 65 | −7 | 61 |
| 16 | Newport County | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 54 | 54 | 58 | |
| 17 | Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 64 | 59 | 57 | |
| 18 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 71 | 85 | −14 | 57 |
| 19 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
46 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 55 | 68 | −13 | 56 |
| 20 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 51 | 55 | −4 | 53 |
| 21 | Wimbledon Wimbledon F.C. Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football... |
46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 61 | 75 | −14 | 53 |
| 22 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 55 | 71 | −16 | 52 |
| 23 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 41 | 65 | −24 | 46 |
| 24 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
46 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 36 | 78 | −42 | 32 |
Failure to comply with rules on insolvency= Swindon Town
Administration exit without arrangements and liquidation= Bristol City
Fourth Division
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
46 | 27 | 15 | 4 | 94 | 41 | +53 | 96 |
| 2 | Bradford City | 46 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 88 | 45 | 91 | |
| 3 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
46 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 80 | 46 | 91 | |
| 4 | Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899.... |
46 | 23 | 19 | 4 | 62 | 30 | 88 | |
| 5 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
46 | 24 | 10 | 12 | 71 | 57 | 82 | |
| 6 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 82 | 57 | 72 | |
| 7 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 56 | 49 | 70 | |
| 8 | Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 70 | 61 | 69 | |
| 9 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 80 | 59 | 68 | |
| 10 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
46 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 64 | 58 | 67 | |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 51 | 56 | −5 | 60 |
| 12 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 66 | 60 | 58 | |
| 13 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 61 | 62 | −1 | 58 |
| 14 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
46 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 73 | 84 | −11 | 55 |
| 15 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 47 | 59 | −12 | 55 |
| 16 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 57 | 68 | −11 | 54 |
| 17 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
46 | 14 | 8 | 24 | 69 | 91 | −22 | 50 |
| 18 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
46 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 48 | 67 | −19 | 49 |
| 19 | Halifax Town | 46 | 9 | 22 | 15 | 51 | 72 | −21 | 49 |
| 20 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 63 | 81 | −18 | 47 |
| 21 | Rochdale | 46 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 50 | 62 | −12 | 46 |
| 22 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
46 | 11 | 9 | 26 | 57 | 84 | −27 | 42 |
| 23 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
46 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 43 | 79 | −36 | 42 |
| 24 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
46 | 6 | 9 | 31 | 29 | 84 | −55 | 27 |
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points