1980–81 in English football

The1980–81 seasonwas the 101st season of competitivefootballin England.

Football in England

Season	1980–81
Men's football
First Division	Aston Villa
Second Division	West Ham United
Third Division	Rotherham United
Fourth Division	Southend United
Alliance Premier League	Altrincham
FA Cup	Tottenham Hotspur
League Cup	Liverpool
Charity Shield	Liverpool

Diary of the season

9 August 1980:Liverpoolwin theCharity ShieldasTerry McDermottscores the only goal in a 1–0 win overWest Ham United.

14 August 1980: Having not played a first team game forArsenal,Clive Allenleaves the club after just two months to joinCrystal Palace,again costing his new club £1,250,000.

16 August 1980:Norwich Cityachieve the biggest win of the opening day of theFirst Divisionseason, beatingStoke City5–1. Champions Liverpool begin with a 3–0 win at home to Crystal Palace.Kevin Keeganmakes his League début forSouthamptonin a 2–0 victory at home toManchester City.Tottenham Hotspur's expensive new strike force ofSteve ArchibaldandGarth Crookshelp them to a 2–0 win overNottingham Forest,with Crooks scoring the second goal.

30 August 1980: Newcastle United'sBill McGarrybecomes the first managerial casualty of the season, being sacked after a failure to win any of the Second Division fixtures combined with a humiliating League Cup exit at the hands of Fourth Division side Bury. Former managerJoe Harveytakes charge of the club in a caretaker capacity, but quickly distances himself from any thoughts of a permanent return to the manager's job.

31 August 1980: The first month of theFootball Leagueseason ends withIpswich Town,Southampton andAston Villalevel at the top of the First Division after four matches.Stoke City,Manchester City andLeeds Unitedoccupy the bottom three places.The Second Division promotion race has begun withBlackburn Rovers,Derby CountyandSheffield Wednesdayoccupying the top three places.Cambridge United,in only their 11th season as a Football League team, stand fourth in the division harbouring dreams of the quickest modern day rise from non-league football to the First Division.

1 September 1980: Third Division basement sideCarlisle Unitedsack managerMartin Harveyafter only six months in charge, and re-appoint former managerBob Stokoeto replace him.

7 September 1980: Chesterfield managerArthur Coxis appointed as Newcastle United's new manager.Jimmy Adamsonresigns as Leeds United manager.

16 September 1980: Leeds United appoint former player and Barnsley managerAllan Clarkeas Jimmy Adamson's successor. Clarke is succeeded at Barnsley by former Leeds teammateNorman Hunter.

30 September 1980: September draws to a close with Ipswich Town leading the First Division by four points over their nearest rivals Liverpool,Evertonand Aston Villa. Crystal Palace have slumped to the bottom of the table and are joined in the relegation zone by Manchester City and Leeds United.The race for a place in the First Division next season is headed by the Second Division top three of Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United andNotts County.Cambridge United's promising start has fallen away and they now stand third from bottom.

1 October 1980: Manchester City sack managerMalcolm Allisonand replace him with Norwich City'sJohn Bond,who in turn is replaced byKen Brown.

2 October 1980:Terry Venablesdeparts Crystal Palace to take over at Queens Park Rangers, who sackedTommy Dochertyearlier that day. Crystal Palace appoint Venables' assistant,Ernie Walleyas caretaker manager.

17 October 1980:Andy Ritchie,the highly promisingManchester Unitedstriker who turns 20 next month, is surprisingly sold toBrighton & Hove Albionfor £500,000.

22 October 1980: Bottom of the First Division, Manchester City win their first league match of the season at the thirteenth attempt when they defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3–1.

31 October 1980: Aston Villa, who last won a top division title in 1910, finish October as First Division leaders, though Ipswich Town, still unbeaten, are two points behind them with two games in hand. Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United andWest Bromwich Albionare a further two points behind. Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion occupy the relegation places.The race for three places in the First Division next season is being headed by Notts County, West Ham United andChelsea,with Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday in close contention.

11 November 1980: Ipswich Town's unbeaten start to the season ends when they lose their fifteenth match 1–0 to bottom-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.

29 November 1980: Ken Brown makes his first signing for Norwich City by paying Liverpool £100,000 for 19-year-old central defenderDave Watson.

30 November 1980: November ends with Aston Villa still leading the First Division, two points ahead of Liverpool. Ipswich Town are now third, but are three points off top spot with three games in hand. West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal complete the top five.Leicester Cityprop up the First Division having lost their last four games, and join Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion in the bottom three.West Ham United, Chelsea and Notts County continue to head the challenge for promotion to the First Division.

6 December 1980: Following a run of just one point in the last month, Crystal Palace reappoint former managerMalcolm Allison.Ernie Walley is offered the chance to continue as first-team manager with Allison in the role of general manager, but opts to leave the club and rejoin Terry Venables at Queens Park Rangers, leaving Allison in sole charge.

31 December 1980: The year ends with Liverpool leading the First Division on goal difference ahead of Aston Villa. Ipswich Town are a point behind the leaders with two games in hand, and Arsenal are a further three points adrift. Crystal Palace and Leicester City remain stranded in the bottom three, but Brighton & Hove Albion have climbed out of the drop zone on goal difference at the expense of Norwich City.FA Cup holders West Ham United lead the Second Division promotion race, joining in the top three by Swansea City (who have never played in the top flight before) and Chelsea (who were last in the top flight two seasons ago). Notts County andDerby Countyare pushing the top three hard, while the likes ofLuton TownandOrientare starting to emerge as possible contenders.

3 January 1981: Ipswich Town beat Aston Villa 1–0 in a heavyweight clash in theFA Cupthird round. Everton defeat Arsenal 2–0.

10 January 1981: Aston Villa move to the top of the First Division after beating Liverpool 2–0 atVilla Park.

31 January 1981: January draws to a close with Ipswich Town back on top of the First Division, ahead of second placed Aston Villa on goal difference with a game in hand. Liverpool are beaten 2–1 at home by Leicester City and are now four points off the top. Southampton and West Bromwich Albion complete the top five, while Manchester United, with fifteen draws already this season, have fallen to ninth in the table. Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Norwich City remain in the bottom three.West Ham United continue to lead the race for promotion, with Notts County and Chelsea completing the top three.Liverpool's 85-match unbeaten home run in all competitions is ended by a 2–1 home defeat to strugglingLeicester Cityin the league,Their last home defeat was in February 1978.

3 February 1981: New Crystal Palace ownerRon Noadessacks Malcolm Allison and appoints Wimbledon managerDario Gradias Palace's fourth manager of the season. Wimbledon in turn appoint coachDave Bassettas their new manager.

28 February 1981: Having won five League matches in a row, Ipswich Town remain top of the First Division at the end of February, with Aston Villa two points behind them. Liverpool's challenge is effectively over after taking just four points from four League games this month. Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Norwich City still occupy the relegation zone.West Ham United remain top of the Second Division, followed closely behind by Notts County and joined in the top three by Sheffield Wednesday at the expense of Chelsea, who have slumped to seventh.Grimsby Townhave emerged as surprise promotion contenders alongside larger clubs like Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.

12 March 1981: Ken Brown continues to build for the future of First Division strugglers Norwich City by payingQueens Park Rangers£225,000 for 22-year-old goalkeeperChris Woods.Meanwhile, Liverpool sign 23-year-oldVancouver WhitecapsandZimbabwegoalkeeperBruce Grobbelaarfor £250,000.

31 March 1981: Ipswich Town lose 3–0 away to Leeds United but remain one point ahead of second placed Aston Villa at the top of the First Division. West Bromwich Albion have moved into third, but are a distant six points behind Aston Villa. Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Leicester City remain in the bottom three places.West Ham United and Notts County continue to head the Second Division promotion race, joined in the top three by Grimsby Town at the expense of Sheffield Wednesday, who are now eighth.

4 April 1981: Crystal Palace are relegated from the First Division with five matches of the season remaining. West Ham clinch promotion to the 1st Division.

7 April 1981: Sunderland sack managerKen Knighton,and appointMick Dochertyas caretaker manager for the last five games of the season.

8 April 1981: Aston Villa move three points clear at the top of the First Division after winning the derby against third-placed West Bromwich Albion 1–0.

10 April 1981: Following a disastrous run of form which has turned an initially promising season into a struggle against relegation, Everton announce that managerGordon Leewill not be offered a new contract, and will leave the club at the end of the season. Blackburn Rovers managerHoward Kendallis considered the overwhelming favourite to succeed Lee for the following season.

14 April 1981: Ipswich Town return to Villa Park for a crucial League match against First Division leaders Aston Villa, and win 2–1 to move within a point of their opponents with a game in hand.

18 April 1981: Aston Villa take a decisive step towards the First Division title by beating Nottingham Forest 2–0 on the same day that Ipswich Town lose 2–0 at home to Arsenal.

25 April 1981: Aston Villa defeatMiddlesbrough3–0 at Villa Park, meaning they only need a draw from their final game of the season to seal their first league title since 1910. Leicester City are relegated.

30 April 1981: Manchester United sackDave Sextonafter four trophyless seasons as manager.

2 May 1981: Aston Villa seal their first league title for 71 years despite losing their final game of the season 2–0 to Arsenal as Ipswich Town lose 2–1 to Middlesbrough, their third League defeat in four matches. Norwich City are relegated after a 3–2 home defeat to second-bottom Leicester City.Newly promoted to the First Division for next season are West Ham United after a three-year exile, Notts County after 55 years away, and Swansea City for the first time ever.

12 May 1981:Zicoscores the only goal asBrazilbeat England 1–0 at Wembley.

8 June 1981: Having failed to save Crystal Palace from relegation, Clive Allen drops down a division to return to Queens Park Rangers in a £400,000 deal.

9 June 1981: After a month of searching for a new manager, Manchester United appointRon Atkinsonfrom West Bromwich Albion.

National teams

Further information:1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4andEngland national football team results (1980–1999)

England's1982 World Cupqualifying series began with a 4–0 win overNorwayatWembleyin September 1980.They were defeated 2–1 byRomaniainBucharesta month later, however.This was followed by a 2–1 win overSwitzerlandat Wembley in November.Spainbeat England 2–1 in a friendly at Wembley in March 1981.The following month, England drew 0–0 with Romania in their World Cup qualifying game at Wembley.

England lost 1–0 at home toScotlandin theHome Championshipin May, but the tournament remained unfinished afterNorthern Irelandare unable to complete their fixtures.A week later, a 2–1 defeat away toSwitzerlandleft England struggling to qualify for the 1982 World Cup Finals.England ended a run of six matches without a win with a 3–1 victory away toHungaryin a World Cup qualifier in June.

UEFA Competitions

English clubs continued their dominance of European football.Alan Kennedyscored the only goal of the game as Liverpool won theEuropean Cup,beatingReal Madrid1–0 in thefinalat theParc des Princesin Paris. It was the fifth year running that an English club had won the competition.Ipswich Townwon the1981 UEFA Cup FinalagainstAZ Alkmaar,5–4 on aggregate. Managed byBobby Robson,Ipswich won the first leg, 3–0, atPortman Road,followed by a 4–2 defeat away in the second leg.

FA Cup

Main article:1980–81 FA Cup

Inspired byRicardo VillaandOsvaldo Ardiles,World Cup winners withArgentinain 1978,Tottenham HotspurovercameManchester Cityin theFA Cupfinalreplay to lift their first major trophy under the management ofKeith Burkinshaw.City'sTommy Hutchisonscored for both teams, first putting Manchester City 1–0 ahead but later scoring an own goal to bring the match to a replay, which Spurs won 3–2.

Holders West Ham United were beaten 1–0 in a third round second replay by fellow Second Division sideWrexham.Manchester City defeated Norwich City 6–0 in the fourth round tie atMaine Road,just two months after John Bond's move between the two clubs as manager. Everton knocked out Merseyside rivals Liverpool with a 2–1 victory atGoodison Park,and Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United 1–0.Third DivisionExeter Citycause an upset by beating Leicester City 3–1 in a fourth round replay.Exeter Cityreached the quarter-finals for only the second time in their history by defeatingNewcastle United4–0 in a replay after drawing 1–1 in the original fixture.

Exeter's FA Cup run finally ended when they lost 2–0 away to Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals.At theCity Ground,Ipswich Town went 2–0 up before Nottingham Forest scored three times to take the lead; the match finished 3–3 afterFrans Thijssensent the match to a replay.Ipswich Town beat Nottingham Forest 1–0 in the quarter-final replay,but their hopes of a treble of the league title, FA Cup andUEFA Cupwere ended with a 1–0 extra-time defeat by Manchester City in the semi-final at Villa Park. In the other semi-final, Tottenham Hotspur beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 in a replay atHighburyafter a 2–2 draw atHillsborough.

League Cup

Main article:1980–81 Football League Cup

Liverpoolwon the1981 Football League Cup Finalto win their firstLeague Cup,beating Second DivisionWest Ham United2–1 in a replay at Villa Park after the original tie at Wembley ended in a 1–1 draw.

Football League

Main article:1980–81 Football League

First Division

A fiercely contested First Division title race went right to the wire between Aston Villa and Ipswich Town, as challenges from the likes of Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool fell away during the season's closing stages. The title was finally won by Villa for the first time since 1910, while Ipswich did manage to win theUEFA Cup.Liverpoolslipped into fifth place but did win theEuropean Cupfor the third time and their first-everLeague Cup.

Manchester Unitedcould only finish eighth, which costDave Sextonhis manager's job. Sexton had come under increased pressure over the disappointment of record signingGarry Birtles,who failed to find the net for United after his late autumn signing from Nottingham Forest in a million-plus transfer. At the end of the campaign Sexton was replaced byRon Atkinson,who had just finished fourth in the league and reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals withWest Bromwich Albion.United's cross-city neighbours had also changed their manager, when dismissingMalcolm Allisonin October to replace him with Norwich'sJohn Bond,who pulled them up from the foot of the table to finish 12th in the league and reach the FA Cup final, where they took Tottenham to a replay before losing 3–2.

Crystal Palacewon only six matches and were relegated. They were joined in the Second Division byNorwich CityandLeicester City.The Eagles' stay in the top flight had lasted just two years, while The Canaries' relegation brought to an end their six years in the limelight. The Foxes, however, were relegated after just a single season in the First Division.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Aston Villa(C)	42	26	8	8	72	40	+32	60	Qualification for theEuropean Cup first round
2	Ipswich Town	42	23	10	9	77	43	+34	56	Qualification for theUEFA Cup first round
3	Arsenal	42	19	15	8	61	45	+16	53
4	West Bromwich Albion	42	20	12	10	60	42	+18	52
5	Liverpool	42	17	17	8	62	42	+20	51	Qualification for theEuropean Cup first round
6	Southampton	42	20	10	12	76	56	+20	50	Qualification for theUEFA Cup first round
7	Nottingham Forest	42	19	12	11	62	44	+18	50
8	Manchester United	42	15	18	9	51	36	+15	48
9	Leeds United	42	17	10	15	39	47	−8	44
10	Tottenham Hotspur	42	14	15	13	70	68	+2	43	Qualification for theEuropean Cup Winners' Cup first round
11	Stoke City	42	12	18	12	51	60	−9	42
12	Manchester City	42	14	11	17	56	59	−3	39
13	Birmingham City	42	13	12	17	50	61	−11	38
14	Middlesbrough	42	16	5	21	53	61	−8	37
15	Everton	42	13	10	19	55	58	−3	36
16	Coventry City	42	13	10	19	48	68	−20	36
17	Sunderland	42	14	7	21	52	53	−1	35
18	Wolverhampton Wanderers	42	13	9	20	43	55	−12	35
19	Brighton & Hove Albion	42	14	7	21	54	67	−13	35
20	Norwich City(R)	42	13	7	22	49	73	−24	33	Relegation to theSecond Division
21	Leicester City(R)	42	13	6	23	40	67	−27	32
22	Crystal Palace(R)	42	6	7	29	47	83	−36	19

Source:World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C)Champions;(R)Relegated
Notes:

Second Division

FA Cup holders West Ham United clinched the Second Division title by a wide margin to end their three-year absence from the First Division. They were joined by runners-up Notts County and a Swansea City side whose third-place finish gave them First Division football for the first time in their history and also completed a record of three promotions in four seasons. Blackburn Rovers missed out on promotion on goal difference, but their achievements did not go unnoticed by First Division clubs, as their managerHoward Kendallwas then appointed manager of Everton.

BothBristol CityandBristol Roverswere relegated from the Second Division, and they were joined in the relegation zone byPreston North End.The Robins suffered their second consecutive relegation, having been relegated from the top flight just 12 months previously, having not fallen as low as the Third Division for 16 years. Their close rivals, Bristol Rovers, on the other hand, returned to the Third Division after seven years in the Second. However, Preston North End's stay in the Second Division was even shorter, The Lilywhites having only been promoted three years previous.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	West Ham United(C, P)	42	28	10	4	79	29	+50	66	Promotion to theFirst Division
2	Notts County(P)	42	18	17	7	49	38	+11	53
3	Swansea City(P)	42	18	14	10	64	44	+20	50	Cup Winners' Cup first roundand promotion to theFirst Division
4	Blackburn Rovers	42	16	18	8	42	29	+13	50
5	Luton Town	42	18	12	12	61	46	+15	48
6	Derby County	42	15	15	12	57	52	+5	45
7	Grimsby Town	42	15	15	12	44	42	+2	45
8	Queens Park Rangers	42	15	13	14	56	46	+10	43
9	Watford	42	16	11	15	50	45	+5	43
10	Sheffield Wednesday	42	17	8	17	53	51	+2	42
11	Newcastle United	42	14	14	14	30	45	−15	42
12	Chelsea	42	14	12	16	46	41	+5	40
13	Cambridge United	42	17	6	19	53	65	−12	40
14	Shrewsbury Town	42	11	17	14	46	47	−1	39
15	Oldham Athletic	42	12	15	15	39	48	−9	39
16	Wrexham	42	12	14	16	43	45	−2	38
17	Orient	42	13	12	17	52	56	−4	38
18	Bolton Wanderers	42	14	10	18	61	66	−5	38
19	Cardiff City	42	12	12	18	44	60	−16	36
20	Preston North End(R)	42	11	14	17	41	62	−21	36	Relegation to theThird Division
21	Bristol City(R)	42	7	16	19	29	51	−22	30
22	Bristol Rovers(R)	42	5	13	24	34	65	−31	23

Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C)Champions;(P)Promoted;(R)Relegated

Third Division

Ian Porterfield,the scorer of Sunderland's winning goal in their famous FA Cup triumph of 1973, achieved the first success of his managerial career by guiding Rotherham United to the Third Division title and a place in the Second Division. Runners-up in the Third Division were anotherSouth Yorkshireside, Barnsley, now managed by the former Leeds United defenderNorman Hunter.The final promotion place was snatched by Charlton Athletic, who finished three points ahead of a Huddersfield side looking to win a second successive promotion.

Sheffield United and Blackpool both fell into the Fourth Division for the first time, and were joined by Hull City and Colchester United.

Despite falling out of the Third Division this season, Sheffield United remarkably managed to lure Ian Porterfield from a Rotherham side who had just reached the Second Division, offering him a five-year contract and making the resources available to him to get the Blades back into the First Division by 1986.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Rotherham United	46	24	13	9	62	32	+30	61	Division Champions, promoted
2	Barnsley	46	21	17	8	72	45	+27	59	Promoted
3	Charlton Athletic	46	25	9	12	63	44	+19	59
4	Huddersfield Town	46	21	14	11	71	40	+31	56
5	Chesterfield	46	23	10	13	72	48	+24	56
6	Portsmouth	46	22	9	15	55	47	+8	53
7	Plymouth Argyle	46	19	14	13	56	44	+12	52
8	Burnley	46	18	14	14	60	48	+12	50
9	Brentford	46	14	19	13	52	49	+3	47
10	Reading	46	18	10	18	62	62	0	46
11	Exeter City	46	16	13	17	62	66	−4	45
12	Newport County	46	15	13	18	64	61	+3	43
13	Fulham	46	15	13	18	57	64	−7	43
14	Oxford United	46	13	17	16	39	47	−8	43
15	Gillingham	46	12	18	16	48	58	−10	42
16	Millwall	46	14	14	18	43	60	−17	42
17	Swindon Town	46	13	15	18	51	56	−5	41
18	Chester	46	15	11	20	38	48	−10	41
19	Carlisle United	46	14	13	19	56	70	−14	41
20	Walsall	46	13	15	18	59	74	−15	41
21	Sheffield United	46	14	12	20	65	63	+2	40	Relegated
22	Colchester United	46	14	11	21	45	65	−20	39
23	Blackpool	46	9	14	23	45	75	−30	32
24	Hull City	46	8	16	22	40	71	−31	32

Source:rsssf.com

Fourth Division

Southend United won the Fourth Division title to clinch a place in the Third Division. They were joined by runners-up Lincoln City, third placed Doncaster Rovers and fourth placed Wimbledon.

There were no movements between the Fourth Division and the Alliance Premier League as the re-election system went in favour of the league's bottom four clubs, although bottom-placedYork Citycame perilously close to being replaced by Alliance championsAltrincham,surviving by just two votes.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion
1	Southend United	46	30	7	9	79	31	+48	67	Division Champions, promoted
2	Lincoln City	46	25	15	6	66	25	+41	65	Promoted
3	Doncaster Rovers	46	22	12	12	59	49	+10	56
4	Wimbledon	46	23	9	14	64	46	+18	55
5	Peterborough United	46	17	18	11	68	54	+14	52
6	Aldershot	46	18	14	14	43	41	+2	50
7	Mansfield Town	46	20	9	17	58	44	+14	49
8	Darlington	46	19	11	16	65	59	+6	49
9	Hartlepool United	46	20	9	17	64	61	+3	49
10	Northampton Town	46	18	13	15	65	67	−2	49
11	Wigan Athletic	46	18	11	17	51	55	−4	47
12	Bury	46	17	11	18	70	62	+8	45
13	Bournemouth	46	16	13	17	47	48	−1	45
14	Bradford City	46	14	16	16	53	60	−7	44
15	Rochdale	46	14	15	17	60	70	−10	43
16	Scunthorpe United	46	11	20	15	60	69	−9	42
17	Torquay United	46	18	5	23	55	63	−8	41
18	Crewe Alexandra	46	13	14	19	48	61	−13	40
19	Port Vale	46	12	15	19	57	70	−13	39
20	Stockport County	46	16	7	23	44	57	−13	39
21	Tranmere Rovers	46	13	10	23	59	73	−14	36	Re-elected
22	Hereford United	46	11	13	22	38	62	−24	35
23	Halifax Town	46	11	12	23	44	71	−27	34
24	York City	46	12	9	25	47	66	−19	33

Source:

Top goalscorers

First Division

• Steve Archibald(Tottenham Hotspur) andPeter Withe(Aston Villa) – 20 goals

Second Division

• David Cross(West Ham United) – 22 goals

Third Division

• Tony Kellow(Exeter City) – 25 goals

Fourth Division

• Alan Cork(Wimbledon) – 23 goals

Non-league football

The divisional champions of the major non-League competitions were:

Competition	Winners
Alliance Premier League	Altrincham
Isthmian League	Slough Town
Northern Premier League	Runcorn
Southern League	Midland Division –Alvechurch Southern Division –Dartford
FA Trophy	Bishop's Stortford
FA Vase	Whickham

Awards

• High scoring defensive midfielderJohn Warkwas credited for his achievements at UEFA Cup Winners Ipswich Town asPFA Players' Player of the Year.
• Aston Villa's forwardGary Shawadded thePFA Young Player of the Yearaward to his league championship medal.
• Ipswich Town's Dutch midfielderFrans Thijssenwas votedFWA Footballer of the Year.

Star managers

• Ron Saundersended Aston Villa's 71-year wait for the league championship trophy by pipping Ipswich Town at the post.
• Bob Paisleymade up for Liverpool's disappointing league form with success in the European Cup and League Cup.
• Bobby Robsoncouldn't quite bring the league championship trophy to Ipswich Town but compensated by bringing them the UEFA Cup.
• Keith Burkinshawcompleted his rebuilding programme at Tottenham Hotspur by yielding an FA Cup triumph.
• John Lyallhad another successful season with West Ham United as they won promotion to the First Division a year after winning the FA Cup.
• John Toshackcompleted the quickest rise through the Football League with Swansea City, who climbed from the Fourth Division to the First Division with three promotions in four seasons.
• Ron Atkinsontook West Bromwich Albion to fourth place in the league to attain their second UEFA Cup place in three seasons.
• Terry Neillguided Arsenal to third place in the league to ensure UEFA Cup qualification.
• Jimmy Sirreltook Notts County into the First Division for the first time in nearly 60 years.
• Norman Hunterattained promotion to the Second Division with Barnsley.

Deaths

13 August 1980:George Haslam,82, was a half-back during the interwar years forManchester United,DarwenandPortsmouth.

29 August 1980:Billy Furness,71, scored 93 league goals from inside-forward between 1928 and 1947 forLeeds UnitedandNorwich Cityand was capped once for England in 1933.

6 September 1980:Joe Bradford,79, scored a club record 267 goals in all competitions forBirmingham Citybetween 1920 and 1935, completing his career with five games and one goal forBristol City.He was capped 12 times for England, scoring seven goals.

7 October 1980:Jim Lewis,71, played 111 league games forWatfordas a centre-half in the 1930s before his playing career was ended by the war.

20 December 1980:Tom Waring,74, scored 159 league goals from centre-forward forAston Villabetween 1928 and 1935, though he failed to win a major trophy with them. He had previously scored 23 goals in 24 league games forTranmere Rovers,and after leavingVilla Parkhe turned out forBarnsleyandWolverhampton Wanderersbefore returning to Tranmere for two years and finishing his career atAccrington Stanley.By the time of his last senior game in 1938, he had scored 244 league goals. He was capped five times by England in the early 1930s and scored four goals.

30 December 1980:George Beel,80, scored a club record 178 league goals forBurnleybetween 1923 and 1932. His career spanned from 1919 to 1933 and took in a total of 243 league goals. He also turned out forLincoln City(twice),Merthyr Town,ChesterfieldandRochdale.

3 February 1981:Sammy Crooks,73, played 408 league games on the right wing forDerby Countybetween 1927 and 1947 after signing fromDurham City.He played for the Rams in the first five rounds of the FA Cup in 1946 but a knee injury prevented him from playing in the final. He managedShrewsbury Townin their first four seasons in the Football League and also managed four different non-league sides. He was capped 26 times by England in the 1930s and scored seven goals.

4 February 1981:Joe Jacques,36, made more than 300 league appearances in defence forLincoln City,Darlington,Southend United,GillinghamandHartlepool Unitedbetween 1964 and 1976. He began his professional career in 1959 with Preston but failed to make a league appearance for them in five years.

16 March 1981:Reg Spencer,72, played 261 games at left-half for his only clubTranmere Roversin the 1930s.

6 April 1981:Des Harlock,58, played 150 league games for Tranmere Rovers as a right-winger between 1946 and 1954 after signing fromLiverpoolin 1945, his league debut delayed until his 24th year due to the war.

10 May 1981:Bert Lyons,79, played 76 league games forOrientbetween 1926 and 1930 before signing forTottenham Hotspurand completing his league career with 54 league games in three years.

16 June 1981:Billy Hughes,63, played 200 league games between 1935 and 1951 forBirmingham City,Luton TownandChelseain a career which was disrupted by the war. He was capped ten times by Wales.

20 June 1981:Billy Charlton,80, scored 103 league goals as a left-winger forSouth Shields,West Ham United,Newport County,Cardiff Cityand finallyTranmere Rovers,72 of those goals coming for his final club.