1980–81 Football League

The Football League
Season 1980–81
Champions Aston Villa
1981–82 →

The 1980–1981 season was the 82nd completed season of The Football League.

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 fifth 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 quarterfinals with an impressive West Bromwich Albion side — who would suffer a rapid decline 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.

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.

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.

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.

Final league tables and results

The tables and results below are reproduced here in the exact form that they can be found at The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website,[1] with home and away statistics separated.

During the first five seasons of the league, that is, until the season 1893–94, re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. From the 1922–23 season on it was required of the bottom two teams of both Third Division North and Third Division South. Since the Fourth Division was established in the 1958–59 season, the re-election process has concerned the bottom four clubs in that division.[2]

First Division

Aston Villa came top of a hotly-contested title race to clinch their first top division title since 1910 and amazingly only using 14 players throughout the season. Runners-up Ipswich Town had compensation for their failed title challenge in the shape of a UEFA Cup triumph, and were also semi-finalists in the FA Cup, their relatively small squad struggling in the final weeks of the season as a challenge for three major trophies took its toll. Arsenal finished third, while West Bromwich Albion enjoyed another strong season and finished fourth. Liverpool finished fifth but compensated for a relatively low finish in the league by winning their third European Cup and their first-ever Football League Cup.

Manchester United's failure to finish higher than eighth in the league cost manager Dave Sexton his job after four trophyless seasons in charge, and a lengthy search for a new manager saw West Bromwich Albion's Ron Atkinson named as his successor. Everton appointed their former player Howard Kendall as manager after a disappointing 15th-place finish. Tottenham, meanwhile, only finished 11th in the league but achieved a sixth triumph in the FA Cup at the expense of Manchester City, who climbed up to 12th place in the league after an upturn in fortunes brought about the October change of manager from Malcolm Allison to John Bond.

Bond's former club Norwich City went down to the Second Division along with Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

Football League, First Division
Season 1980–81
Champions Aston Villa (7th English title)
Relegated Crystal Palace,
Leicester City,
Norwich City
European Cup 1981–82 Aston Villa,
Liverpool
FA Cup winners
European Cup Winners' Cup 1981–82
Tottenham Hotspur (6th FA Cup title)
UEFA Cup 1981–82 Arsenal,
Ipswich Town,
Southampton,
West Bromwich Albion
Matches played 462
Goals scored 1228 (2.66 per match)
Top goalscorer Peter Withe (Aston Villa), 20
Steve Archibald (Tottenham Hotspur), 20 [3]
Biggest home win Middlesbrough –Norwich 6–1 (4 Oct 1980)
Everton –Crystal Palace 5–0 (20 Sep 1980)
Manchester United –Leicester 5–0 (13 Sep 1980)
Nottingham Forest –Leicester 5–0 (20 Sep 1980)
Nottingham Forest –Stoke 5–0 (30 Aug 1980)
Biggest away win Coventry –Everton 0–5 (27 Sep 1980)
Leeds United –Arsenal 0–5 (8 Nov 1980)
Highest scoring Tottenham –Ipswich Town 5–3 (17 Dec 1980)
Tottenham –Southampton 4–4 (26 Dec 1980)
1981–82 →
Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GD Pts Notes
1 Aston Villa4216324013105632277240+3260 European Cup 1981–82 First round
2 Ipswich Town 421542451486732297743+3456 UEFA Cup 1981–82 First round
3 Arsenal 421380361767825286145+1653 UEFA Cup 1981–82 First round
4 West Bromwich Albion 421542401558820276042+1852 UEFA Cup 1981–82 First round
5 Liverpool 4213533815412524276242+2051 European Cup 1981–82 First round [notes 1]
6 Southampton 4215424722561029347656+2050 UEFA Cup 1981–82 First round
7 Nottingham Forest 421533442049818246244+1850
8 Manchester United 429111301467821225136+1548
9 Leeds United 421056191975920283947–844
10 Tottenham Hotspur 429934431561026377068+243 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1981–82 First round
11 Stoke City 42894312349820375160–942
12 Manchester City 4210743525441321345659–339
13 Birmingham City 4211553223271218385061–1138
14 Middlesbrough 4214433816211815455361–837
15 Everton 428673225541223335558–336
16 Coventry City 429663130441317384868–2036
17 Sunderland 4210473219431420345253–135
18 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4211282620271217354355–1235
19 Brighton & Hove Albion 4210383026441324415467–1335
20 Norwich City 429753425401715484973–2433
21 Leicester City 427592023611420444067–2732
22 Crystal Palace 4264113237031815464783–3619

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

  1. ↑ Liverpool won the European Cup this year for the third time within 5 years, and thus qualified for the following season's competition as defending champions.
    They also won the League cup this year.
Key
League Champions, qualified for European Cup
Qualified for European Cup
FA Cup winners, qualified for Cup Winners' Cup
Qualified for UEFA Cup
League Cup Winners, see Liverpool
Relegated

First Division results

Home ╲ Away ARS AST BIRBHACOVCRYEVEIPSLEELEILIVMCIMUNMIDNORNOTSOUSTKSUNTOTWBAWOL
Arsenal 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–2 3–2 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–1 2–2 3–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–1
Aston Villa 1–1 3–0 4–1 1–0 2–1 0–2 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 3–3 3–0 1–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 4–0 3–0 1–0 2–1
Birmingham City 3–1 1–2 2–1 3–1 1–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–2 1–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 4–0 2–0 0–3 1–1 3–2 2–1 1–1 1–0
Brighton & Hove Albion 0–1 1–0 2–2 4–1 3–2 1–3 1–0 2–0 2–1 2–2 1–2 1–4 0–1 2–0 0–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–2 2–0
Coventry City 3–1 1–2 2–1 3–3 3–1 0–5 0–4 2–1 4–1 0–0 1–1 0–2 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 2–2 2–1 0–1 3–0 2–2
Crystal Palace 2–2 0–1 3–1 0–3 0–3 2–3 1–2 0–1 2–1 2–2 2–3 1–0 5–2 4–1 1–3 3–2 1–1 0–1 3–4 0–1 0–0
Everton 1–2 1–3 1–1 4–3 3–0 5–0 0–0 1–2 1–0 2–2 0–2 0–1 4–1 0–2 0–0 2–1 0–1 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0
Ipswich Town 0–2 1–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 3–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 4–0 4–1 3–0 0–0 3–1
Leeds United 0–5 1–2 0–0 1–0 3–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 0–3 1–3 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–3
Leicester City 1–0 2–4 1–0 0–1 1–3 1–1 0–1 0–1 0–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–1 2–1 0–2 2–0
Liverpool 1–1 2–1 2–2 4–1 2–1 3–0 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 1–0 0–1 4–2 4–1 0–0 2–0 3–0 0–1 2–1 4–0 1–0
Manchester City 1–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 3–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–0 3–3 0–3 1–0 3–2 1–0 1–1 3–0 1–2 0–4 3–1 2–1 4–0
Manchester United 0–0 3–3 2–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–0 2–1 0–1 5–0 0–0 2–2 3–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–0
Middlesbrough 2–1 2–1 1–2 1–0 0–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 1–2 2–2 1–1 6–1 0–0 1–1 3–1 1–0 4–1 2–1 2–0
Norwich City 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–3 2–3 0–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–0 5–1 1–0 2–2 0–2 1–1
Nottingham Forest 3–1 2–2 2–1 4–1 1–1 3–0 1–0 1–2 2–1 5–0 0–0 3–2 1–2 1–0 2–1 2–1 5–0 3–1 0–3 2–1 1–0
Southampton 3–1 1–2 3–1 3–1 1–0 4–2 3–0 3–3 2–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–2 2–1 1–1 2–2 4–2
Stoke City 1–1 1–1 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–0 2–2 2–2 3–0 1–0 2–2 2–1 1–2 1–0 3–1 1–2 1–2 2–0 2–3 0–0 3–2
Sunderland 2–0 1–2 3–0 1–2 3–0 1–0 3–1 0–2 4–1 1–0 2–4 2–0 2–0 0–1 3–0 2–2 1–2 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–1
Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 2–0 1–0 2–2 4–1 4–2 2–2 5–3 1–1 1–2 1–1 2–1 0–0 3–2 2–3 2–0 4–4 2–2 0–0 2–3 2–2
West Bromwich Albion 0–1 0–0 2–2 2–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 1–2 3–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–0 3–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 4–2 1–1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–2 0–1 1–0 0–2 0–1 2–0 0–0 0–2 2–1 0–1 4–1 1–3 1–0 3–0 3–0 1–4 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 2–0

Source: Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

First Division maps

Locations of the Football League First Division London teams 1980–1981

Second Division

A year after winning the FA Cup, West Ham ended their three-year exile from the First Division by clinching the Second Division title. Notts County, who finished second, went up after 55 years away from the First Division. Third placed Swansea City completed an unprecedented four-season climb from the Fourth Division to the First Division, where they had never previously played. Blackburn Rovers missed out on promotion on goal difference, and then lost their promising young player-manager Howard Kendall to Everton.

Both Bristol clubs went down along with Preston North End.

Football League, Second Division
Season 1980–81
Champions West Ham United (2nd title)
Promoted Notts County,
Swansea City
Relegated Bristol City,
Bristol Rovers,
Preston North End
Matches played 462
Goals scored 1073 (2.32 per match)
Top goalscorer David Cross (West Ham United), 22 [3]
Biggest home win Chelsea –Newcastle 6–0 (25 Oct 1980)
Biggest away win

Grimsby Town –West Ham 1–5 (11 Apr 1981)


Wrexham –Chelsea 0–4 (15 Nov 1980)
Highest scoring Bolton –Cambridge United 6–1 (1 Nov 1980)
1981–82 →
Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GD Pts Notes
1 West Ham United 421911531299326177929+5066
2 Notts County 421083261589423234938+1153
3 Swansea City 421254391969625256444+2050 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1981–82
First round
[notes2 1]
4 Blackburn Rovers 421281287410714224229+1350
5 Luton Town 421065352386726236146+1548
6 Derby County 42984342667823265752+545
7 Grimsby Town 421083211057923324442+245
8 Queens Park Rangers 4211733612461120345646+1043
9 Watford 4213533418361216275045+543
10 Sheffield Wednesday 4214433814341415375351+242
11 Newcastle United 421173221337118323045–1542
12 Chelsea 42867271566919264641+540
13 Cambridge United 4213173623451217425365–1240
14 Shrewsbury Town 429753322210913254647–139
15 Oldham Athletic 427951916561020323948–939
16 Wrexham 42588222476821214345–238
17 Orient 429843420441318365256–438
18 Bolton Wanderers 4210564027451221396166–538
19 Cardiff City 427772324551121364460–1636
20 Preston North End 428762826371113364162–2136
21 Bristol City 4261051915161410362951–2230
22 Bristol Rovers 424982124141613413465–3123

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

  1. ↑ Swansea City qualified for European Cup Winners' Cup First round as Welsh Cup winners.
Key
Division Champions, promoted
Promoted
Welsh Cup winners, qualified for Cup Winners' Cup, also promoted
Relegated

Second Division results

Home ╲ Away BLB BOL BRIBROCAMCARCHEDERGRILUTNEWNTCOLDORIPNEQPRSHWSHRSWAWATWHUWRE
Blackburn Rovers 0–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–1 1–0 2–0 3–0 3–0 0–0 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–1
Bolton Wanderers 1–2 1–1 2–0 6–1 4–2 2–3 3–1 1–1 0–3 4–0 3–0 2–0 3–1 2–1 1–2 0–0 0–2 1–4 2–1 1–1 1–1
Bristol City 2–0 3–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 0–1 1–1 3–1 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–1 0–2
Bristol Rovers 0–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–2 2–4 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–2 3–3 1–1 1–2 3–1 0–1 0–1
Cambridge United 0–0 2–3 2–1 1–3 2–0 0–1 3–0 5–1 1–3 2–1 1–2 3–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–2 1–0
Cardiff City 1–2 1–1 2–3 2–1 1–2 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 0–2 4–2 1–3 1–0 0–0 2–2 3–3 1–0 0–0 1–0
Chelsea 0–0 2–0 0–0 2–0 3–0 0–1 1–3 3–0 0–2 6–0 0–2 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 2–2
Derby County 2–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 0–3 1–1 3–2 2–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–1 1–1 1–2 3–3 3–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 2–0 0–1
Grimsby Town 0–0 4–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 0–1 2–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–5 1–0
Luton Town 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–0 0–0 2–2 2–0 1–2 0–2 0–1 0–1 1–2 2–1 4–2 3–0 3–0 1–1 2–2 1–0 3–2 1–1
Newcastle United 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 0–2 1–1 2–1 1–1 0–0 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–1
Notts County 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–2 1–1 1–1
Oldham Athletic 1–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 0–0 0–2 1–2 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–2 2–1 0–0 1–3
Orient 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–0 2–2 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 0–2 2–3 4–0 4–0 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–1
Preston North End 0–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 0–3 2–4 1–0 2–3 2–2 1–2 3–0 3–2 2–1 0–0 1–3 2–1 0–0 1–1
Queens Park Rangers 1–1 3–1 4–0 4–0 5–0 2–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 3–2 1–2 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–2 0–0 0–0 0–0 3–0 0–1
Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 2–0 2–1 4–1 4–1 2–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–2 3–0 2–2 3–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 0–1 2–1
Shrewsbury Town 1–1 1–2 4–0 3–1 2–1 2–0 2–2 1–0 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–2 1–2 3–0 3–3 2–0 0–0 2–1 0–2 1–2
Swansea City 2–0 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 3–1 1–0 2–2 4–0 1–1 3–0 0–2 3–0 1–2 2–3 2–1 1–0 1–3 3–1
Watford 1–1 3–1 1–0 3–1 0–0 4–2 2–3 1–1 3–1 0–1 0–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–0
West Ham United 2–0 2–1 5–0 2–0 4–2 1–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–0 4–0 1–1 2–1 5–0 3–0 2–1 3–0 2–0 3–2 1–0
Wrexham 0–1 0–1 1–0 3–1 0–0 0–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 0–0 0–0 1–1 3–2 3–1 0–1 1–1 4–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 2–2

Source: Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Second Division maps

Locations of the Football League Second Division London teams 1980–1981

Third Division

Football League, Third Division
Season 1980–81
Champions Rotherham United (1st title)
Promoted Barnsley,
Charlton Athletic
Relegated Blackpool,
Colchester United,
Hull City,
Sheffield United
Matches played 552
Goals scored 1337 (2.42 per match)
Top goalscorer Tony Kellow (Exeter City), 25 [3]
1981–82 →
Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GD Pts
1 Rotherham United 46176043877919246232+3061
2 Barnsley 4615534619612526267245+2759
3 Charlton Athletic 4614633617113927276344+1959
4 Huddersfield Town 461463401178831297140+3156
5 Chesterfield 4617424216661130327248+2456
6 Portsmouth 4614543519841120285547+853
7 Plymouth Argyle 461454351859921265644+1252
8 Burnley 461355372159923276048+1250
9 Brentford 467973025710622245249+347
10 Reading 4613553922551323406262±046
11 Exeter City 469953630741226366266–445
12 Newport County 4611663822471226396461+343
13 Fulham 468782829761029355764–743
14 Oxford United 46788202469819233947–843
15 Gillingham 4698623193101025394858–1042
16 Millwall 4610943021451413394360–1742
17 Swindon Town 4610673527391116295156–541
18 Chester 4611572517461313313848–1041
19 Carlisle United 468963229641324415670–1441
20 Walsall 468964343561216315974–1541
21 Sheffield United 4612653820261527436563+240
22 Colchester United 4612743522241710434565–2039
23 Blackpool 465991928451426474575–3032
24 Hull City 467882322181417494071–3132

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Key
Division Champions, promoted
Promoted
Relegated

Third Division results

Home ╲ Away BAR BLP BREBURCRLCHACHECHFCOLEXEFULGILHUDHULMILNPCOXFPLYPORREAROTSHUSWIWAL
Barnsley 2–0 0–1 3–2 3–1 0–0 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–0 2–2 3–3 1–0 5–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–1 1–2 2–3 1–0 2–1 2–0 3–0
Blackpool 1–0 0–3 0–0 0–1 0–2 2–3 0–3 1–1 0–0 0–2 4–0 1–2 2–2 0–0 2–4 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–0
Brentford 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 0–1 3–2 2–1 0–1 1–3 3–3 0–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 3–0 0–1 2–2 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Burnley 0–1 4–1 2–0 0–3 0–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 3–2 4–2 2–0 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–3 1–2 1–1 3–2 0–0 0–0
Carlisle United 2–2 2–0 1–2 3–2 1–2 3–0 2–6 4–0 1–1 2–2 0–0 1–1 2–0 2–1 1–4 0–0 2–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–3 2–1 1–1
Charlton Athletic 1–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 1–0 1–1 2–1 1–2 3–2 0–0 3–0 0–0 1–1 1–2 4–2 2–0 2–0 0–0 2–0
Chester 2–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 4–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–2 0–2 4–1 0–1 1–1 0–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 3–2 1–0 1–0
Chesterfield 0–0 3–2 2–1 3–0 1–0 0–1 2–0 3–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 3–0 3–2 2–1 2–2 3–0 3–2 2–0 1–0 2–2 1–2
Colchester United 2–2 3–2 0–2 2–1 1–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 3–2 2–1 1–2 2–0 3–0 1–0 3–0 2–2 1–0 1–2 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–1
Exeter City 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 4–3 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–0 2–1 1–4 1–3 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 3–4 0–3
Fulham 2–3 1–2 1–1 0–2 2–3 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 0–1 3–2 2–2 0–0 1–1 2–1 0–4 0–0 3–0 1–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 2–1
Gillingham 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–5 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–2 3–2 1–1 0–1 0–1 2–0 0–0 2–2 0–0 1–0
Huddersfield Town 1–0 1–1 3–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 2–0 2–0 5–0 4–2 1–0 5–0 0–1 1–4 2–0 2–0 0–0 4–1 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–1
Hull City 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 0–1 3–3 0–1 2–2 2–1 3–1 3–1 0–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 0–1
Millwall 1–1 0–0 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–0 1–0 0–2 3–1 1–0 3–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–1 1–4 3–1 0–1
Newport County 0–0 3–1 1–1 1–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 5–1 1–0 2–1 2–1 1–1 3–2 4–0 2–1 0–1 0–2 2–1 0–0 0–1 4–0 0–2 1–1
Oxford United 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–2 1–0 1–0 0–3 2–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–1
Plymouth Argyle 1–3 0–2 0–1 2–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 0–2 2–1 4–1 0–0 0–0 2–0 3–2 3–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 1–0 0–0 2–0
Portsmouth 0–1 3–3 0–2 4–2 2–1 1–0 2–0 1–0 2–1 5–0 1–0 0–0 1–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–3 0–0 3–1 1–0 1–0 2–0
Reading 3–2 3–0 0–0 1–3 3–1 1–3 3–0 2–3 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 2–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 4–1 2–0
Rotherham United 2–0 4–0 4–1 1–0 3–0 3–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 0–0 1–1 3–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 3–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 2–1
Sheffield United 1–1 4–2 0–0 0–0 2–2 3–2 2–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 1–2 0–1 2–2 3–1 2–3 2–0 1–0 0–0 1–0 2–0 1–2 3–0 0–1
Swindon Town 2–0 1–2 0–0 0–3 1–1 0–3 1–2 0–1 3–0 2–2 3–4 0–0 1–0 3–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 3–0 0–2 3–1 2–1 5–2 3–1
Walsall 1–1 2–2 2–3 3–1 4–3 2–2 2–1 4–3 3–1 1–3 1–2 3–3 2–2 1–1 0–0 1–0 0–3 1–3 2–0 2–2 0–2 4–4 2–1

Source: Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Third Division maps

Locations of the Football League Third Division London teams 1980–1981

Fourth Division

Football League, Fourth Division
Season 1980–81
Champions Southend United (1st title)
Promoted Doncaster Rovers,
Lincoln City,
Wimbledon
Failed re-election None
Matches played 552
Goals scored 1364 (2.47 per match)
Top goalscorer Alan Cork (Wimbledon), 23 [3]
1981–82 →
Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GD Pts
1 Southend United 461940476113932257931+4867
2 Lincoln City 4615714411108522146625+4165
3 Doncaster Rovers 461544362078823295949+1056
4 Wimbledon 4615444217851022296446+1855
5 Peterborough United 4611843721610731336854+1452
6 Aldershot 4612922811651215304341+250
7 Mansfield Town 4613553615741222295844+1449
8 Darlington 4613644323651222366559+649
9 Hartlepool United 4614364222661122396461+349
10 Northampton Town 4611754226761023416567–249
11 Wigan Athletic 4613462916571122395155–447
12 Bury 4610853821731332417062+845
13 Bournemouth 469863021751117274748–145
14 Bradford City 469953024571123365360–744
15 Rochdale 4611663325391127456070–1043
16 Scunthorpe United 4681234031381220386069–942
17 Torquay United 4613283826531517375563–841
18 Crewe Alexandra 4610762820371320414861–1340
19 Port Vale 4610854023271417475770–1339
20 Stockport County 4610582925621515324457–1339
21 Tranmere Rovers 4612564124151718495973–1436
22 Hereford United 46887292035159423862–2435
23 Halifax Town 4693112832291216394471–2734
24 York City 46102113123271416434766–1933

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Key
Division Champions, promoted
Promoted
New club in the league (none)
Re-elected
Failed re-election (none)

Fourth Division results

Home ╲ Away ALD BOU BRABRYCREDARDONHALHARHERLINMANNORPETPTVROCSCUSTDSTPTORTRAWIGWDNYOR
Aldershot 0–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 2–1 4–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 3–0 2–1 3–2 0–1 2–0 1–1
AFC Bournemouth 0–2 4–0 2–2 0–0 3–3 1–2 2–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 0–1 0–0 4–1 0–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 3–0 0–1 1–1
Bradford City 1–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–0 1–1 0–0 2–0 0–1 1–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 3–3 2–0 1–1
Bury 0–0 3–0 2–2 1–3 1–2 2–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 4–1 1–2 1–1 2–1 3–1 6–1 1–2 0–1 3–0 2–2 0–0 1–0 2–0
Crewe Alexandra 0–0 0–2 1–0 2–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 2–0 5–0 0–3 1–2 3–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–1 3–0 1–2 0–3 1–1
Darlington 1–2 1–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 5–0 3–1 3–0 2–1 0–0 2–2 1–0 2–0 1–1 4–4 0–1 0–2 2–2 1–0 2–0 3–1 4–1 0–0
Doncaster Rovers 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–2 5–1 0–1 2–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 2–1 3–2
Halifax Town 1–0 1–2 2–0 4–2 1–0 1–2 0–3 1–2 0–0 1–3 0–2 0–1 2–3 2–2 2–0 1–0 1–5 2–0 2–1 1–1 0–1 0–1 3–1
Hartlepool United 1–0 1–0 2–2 1–2 6–2 2–0 1–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 0–1 2–3 1–1 3–0 2–2 2–0 1–3 1–0 0–2 3–0 3–1 2–3 1–0
Hereford United 0–0 1–0 4–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 1–3 0–1 3–0 0–2 2–1 4–1 1–1 2–3 3–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1
Lincoln City 0–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–0 1–1 8–0 1–1 1–0 3–0 2–2 2–1 1–0 5–0 2–0 2–0 0–0 1–1
Mansfield Town 1–2 1–1 1–0 2–0 4–1 1–0 1–1 0–1 0–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–1 5–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–0 0–1
Northampton Town 2–0 0–1 0–1 5–3 4–1 2–2 0–2 2–1 3–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 2–2 5–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 0–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0
Peterborough United 0–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 2–1 1–0 0–1 2–2 1–1 3–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 5–2 1–2 1–3 4–1 0–0 1–1 3–0
Port Vale 0–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 4–2 3–0 0–0 1–1 4–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–0 2–0 3–1 5–1 3–0 2–3 2–0
Rochdale 2–0 0–0 0–2 2–1 2–0 0–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–4 0–1 2–3 2–1 4–0 0–2 2–1 2–1 3–1 3–0 2–0 3–2
Scunthorpe United 2–2 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 3–3 3–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–4 1–2 3–2
Southend United 3–0 2–1 3–1 1–0 3–0 1–0 0–0 5–1 4–0 2–0 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–0 5–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 3–0
Stockport County 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–3 0–1 2–1 1–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–2 3–4 2–1 2–2 2–0 1–0 4–1 1–0 0–1 0–0 2–0
Torquay United 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 0–2 2–3 1–0 2–1 0–1 1–2 1–1 3–3 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–1 0–3 1–2 2–1 2–0 2–3 1–2
Tranmere 3–1 0–1 1–1 3–1 0–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–1 0–0 1–0 3–2 1–2 1–2 3–1 1–2 2–2 1–0 1–0 2–3 3–0 5–0
Wigan Athletic 1–0 0–1 0–1 2–1 0–0 3–1 3–0 4–1 0–3 1–0 0–2 2–0 3–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–0
Wimbledon 4–0 2–0 2–2 2–4 2–0 1–1 1–0 3–0 5–0 0–0 0–1 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 4–1 2–2 0–1 1–2 1–0 2–1 1–0 3–0
York City 4–1 4–0 0–3 0–1 2–0 1–2 0–1 1–1 0–1 1–2 1–0 2–0 1–2 1–2 4–1 1–2 1–0 0–1 1–0 0–0 4–1 2–1 0–1

Source: Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Fourth Division maps

Locations of the Football League Fourth Division London teams 1980–1981

Election/Re-election to the Football League

Altrincham F.C. won the Alliance Premier League for the second season running and earned the right to apply for election to the Football League to replace one of the four bottom sides in the 1980–81 Football League Fourth Division. The vote went as follows:

Club Final Position Votes
Tranmere Rovers 21st (Fourth Division) 48
Hereford United 22nd (Fourth Division) 46
York City 24th (Fourth Division) 46
Halifax Town 23rd (Fourth Division) 41
Altrincham 1st (Alliance Premier League) 15

As a result of this, all four Football League teams were re-elected, and Altrincham were denied membership of the League.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "England 1980–81". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  2. ↑ Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "English League Leading Goalscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
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