1980-81 in English football

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The 1980-81 season was the 101st season of competitive football in England.

Contents

Overview

The Football League introduced a three points for a win system in place of the two points for a win system which had operated since the league's formation in 1889.

First Division

Ron Saunders completed Aston Villa's revival, as they ended their 71-year wait for the league championship trophy. They competed in a two-horse race with Ipswich Town during the final stages of the season before pipping the Suffolk side at the post. Liverpool slipped into fourth place but compensated for this downfall by lifting the European Cup and their first-ever League Cup. But Manchester United failed to make the top five and this shortcoming cost Dave Sexton his manager's job. He was succeeded by Ron Atkinson, who had just finished fourth in the league and reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals with an impressive West Bromwich Albion side - who would suffer a rapid declne after Atkinson's departure.

Crystal Palace endured a dreadful season with just six wins. They were joined in the Second Division by also-doomed Norwich City and Leicester City.

Second Division

FA Cup holders West Ham United regained their First Division status by lifting the Second Division championship trophy. They were joined by Notts County and Swansea City, completing a meteoric rise under John Toshack, from the Fourth Division to the First in just four years.

Both Bristol clubs were relegated from the Second Division in 1980-81. They were joined in the drop zone by Preston North End.

Third Division

Rotherham United, Barnsley and Charlton Athletic occupied the promotion places in the Third Division. Hull City, Blackpool and Colchester United were joined in the Third Division drop zone by Sheffield United - who just seven years earlier had finished sixth in the First Division.

Fourth Division

Southend United, Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers and Wimbledon occupied the four promotion places in the Fourth Division. 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.

FA Cup

Inspired by Ricardo Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles, World Cup winners with Argentina in 1978, Tottenham Hotspur overcame Manchester City in the FA Cup final replay to lift their first major trophy under the management of Keith Burkinshaw.

League Cup

Liverpool added to their European Cup triumph with their first-ever League Cup.

European football

English clubs continued their dominance of European football. Liverpool won the European Cup, ensuring that the European Cup remained in English hands for the fifth year running. Bobby Robson proved his managerial credentials by bringing UEFA Cup glory to Ipswich Town, who had narrowly missed out on the league title.

Star players

High scoring defensive midfielder John Wark was credited for his achievements at UEFA Cup Winners Ipswich Town by the PFA, who elected him Player of the Year.
Aston Villa's promising young forward Gary Shaw added the PFA Young Player of the Year award to his league championship medal.
The FWA voted Ipswich's Dutch winger Frans Thijssen as their Player of the Year.
West Bromwich Albion midfielders Bryan Robson and Remi Moses became two of the most feared players in the league and would soon follow their manager Ron Atkinson to Manchester United.

Star managers

Ron Saunders ended Aston Villa's 71-year wait for the league championship trophy by pipping Ipswich Town at the post.
Bob Paisley made up for Liverpool's disappointing league form with success in the European Cup and League Cup.
Bobby Robson couldn't quite bring the league championship trophy to Ipswich Town but compensated by bringing them the UEFA Cup.
Keith Burkinshaw completed his rebuilding programme at Tottenham Hotspur by yielding an FA Cup triumph.
John Lyall had another successful season with West Ham United as they won promotion to the First Division.

Honours

Competition	Winner	Runner-up
First Division	Aston Villa	Ipswich Town
Second Division	West Ham United	Notts County
Third Division	Rotherham United	Barnsley
Fourth Division	Southend United	Lincoln City
FA Cup	Tottenham Hotspur	Manchester City
League Cup	Liverpool	West Ham United
Charity Shield	Liverpool	West Ham United

League table

P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Aston Villa 42 26 8 8 72 40 +32 60
2 Ipswich Town 42 23 10 9 77 43
34
56
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
6 Southampton 42 20 10 12 76 56
20
50
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
44
10 Tottenham Hotspur 42 14 15 13 70 68
2
43
11 Stoke City 42 12 18 12 51 60
42
12 Manchester City 42 14 11 17 56 59
39
13 Birmingham City 42 13 12 17 50 61
38
14 Middlesbrough 42 16 5 21 53 61
37
15 Everton 42 13 10 19 55 58
36
16 Coventry City 42 13 10 19 48 68
36
17 Sunderland 42 14 7 21 52 53
35
18 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 13 9 20 43 55
35
19 Brighton & Hove Albion 42 14 7 21 54 67
35
20 Norwich City 42 13 7 22 49 73
33
21 Leicester City 42 13 6 23 40 67
32
22 Crystal Palace 42 6 7 29 47 83
19

34
		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Aston Villa	42	26	8	8	72	40	+32	60
2	Ipswich Town	42	23	10	9	77	43
56
3	Arsenal	42	19	15	8	61	45
53
4	West Bromwich Albion	42	20	12	10	60	42
52
5	Liverpool	42	17	17	8	62	42
51
6	Southampton	42	20	10	12	76	56
50
7	Nottingham Forest	42	19	12	11	62	44
50
8	Manchester United	42	15	18	9	51	36
48
9	Leeds United	42	17	10	15	39	47
44
10	Tottenham Hotspur	42	14	15	13	70	68
43
11	Stoke City	42	12	18	12	51	60
42
12	Manchester City	42	14	11	17	56	59
39
13	Birmingham City	42	13	12	17	50	61
38
14	Middlesbrough	42	16	5	21	53	61
37
15	Everton	42	13	10	19	55	58
36
16	Coventry City	42	13	10	19	48	68
36
17	Sunderland	42	14	7	21	52	53
35
18	Wolverhampton Wanderers	42	13	9	20	43	55
35
19	Brighton & Hove Albion	42	14	7	21	54	67
35
20	Norwich City	42	13	7	22	49	73
33
21	Leicester City	42	13	6	23	40	67
32
22	Crystal Palace	42	6	7	29	47	83
19

P W D L F A GD Pts
1 West Ham United 42 28 10 4 79 29 +50 66
2 Notts County 42 18 17 7 49 38
11
53
3 Swansea City 42 18 14 10 64 44
20
50
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 Queen's 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
42
12 Chelsea 42 14 12 16 46 41
5
40
13 Cambridge United 42 17 6 19 53 65
40
14 Shrewsbury Town 42 11 17 14 46 47
39
15 Oldham Athletic 42 12 15 15 39 48
39
16 Wrexham 42 12 14 16 43 45
38
17 Leyton Orient 42 13 12 17 52 56
38
18 Bolton Wanderers 42 14 10 18 61 66
38
19 Cardiff City 42 12 12 18 44 60
36
20 Preston North End 42 11 14 17 41 62
36
21 Bristol City 42 7 16 19 29 51
30
22 Bristol Rovers 42 5 13 24 34 65
23

11
		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	West Ham United	42	28	10	4	79	29	+50	66
2	Notts County	42	18	17	7	49	38
53
3	Swansea City	42	18	14	10	64	44
50
4	Blackburn Rovers	42	16	18	8	42	29
50
5	Luton Town	42	18	12	12	61	46
48
6	Derby County	42	15	15	12	57	52
45
7	Grimsby Town	42	15	15	12	44	42
45
8	Queen's Park Rangers	42	15	13	14	56	46
43
9	Watford	42	16	11	15	50	45
43
10	Sheffield Wednesday	42	17	8	17	53	51
42
11	Newcastle United	42	14	14	14	30	45
42
12	Chelsea	42	14	12	16	46	41
40
13	Cambridge United	42	17	6	19	53	65
40
14	Shrewsbury Town	42	11	17	14	46	47
39
15	Oldham Athletic	42	12	15	15	39	48
39
16	Wrexham	42	12	14	16	43	45
38
17	Leyton Orient	42	13	12	17	52	56
38
18	Bolton Wanderers	42	14	10	18	61	66
38
19	Cardiff City	42	12	12	18	44	60
36
20	Preston North End	42	11	14	17	41	62
36
21	Bristol City	42	7	16	19	29	51
30
22	Bristol Rovers	42	5	13	24	34	65
23

P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Rotherham United 46 24 13 9 62 32 +30 61
2 Barnsley 46 21 17 8 72 45
27
59
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
45
12 Newport County 46 15 13 18 64 61
3
43
13 Fulham 46 15 13 18 57 64
43
14 Oxford United 46 13 17 16 39 47
43
15 Gillingham 46 12 18 16 48 58
42
16 Millwall 46 14 14 18 43 60
42
17 Swindon Town 46 13 15 18 51 56
41
18 Chester City 46 15 11 20 38 48
41
19 Carlisle United 46 14 13 19 56 70
41
20 Walsall 46 13 15 18 59 74
41
21 Sheffield United 46 14 12 20 65 63
2
40
22 Colchester United 46 14 11 21 45 65
39
23 Blackpool 46 9 14 23 45 75
32
24 Hull City 46 8 16 22 40 71
32

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

P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Southend United 46 30 7 9 79 31 +48 67
2 Lincoln City 46 25 15 6 66 25
41
65
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
49
11 Wigan Athletic 46 18 11 17 51 55
47
12 Bury 46 17 11 18 70 62
8
45
13 Bournemouth 46 16 13 17 47 48
45
14 Bradford City 46 14 16 16 53 60
44
15 Rochdale 46 14 15 17 60 70
43
16 Scunthorpe United 46 11 20 15 60 69
42
17 Torquay United 46 18 5 23 55 63
41
18 Crewe Alexandra 46 13 14 19 48 61
40
19 Port Vale 46 12 15 19 57 70
39
20 Stockport County 46 16 7 23 44 57
39
21 Tranmere Rovers 46 13 10 23 59 73
36
22 Hereford United 46 11 13 22 38 62
35
23 Halifax Town 46 11 12 23 44 71
34
24 York City 46 12 9 25 47 66
33
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

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