1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season

Leeds United
1981–82 season
ChairmanManny Cussins
ManagerAllan Clarke
StadiumElland Road
First Division20th (relegated)
FA CupFourth round
League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Arthur Graham
Frank Worthington
(9 each)
All:
Arthur Graham
Frank Worthington
(9 each)
Highest home attendance33,689 vs Liverpool
(6 February 1982, First Division)
Lowest home attendance16,385 vs Coventry City
(16 April 1990, First Division)
Average home league attendance21,889

The 1981–82 season was Leeds United's eighteenth consecutive season in the Football League First Division, where they were relegated.

Season summary

For the first half of the campaign, this season appeared to be a carbon-copy of the previous one, with a terrible start followed by an improved run of form that lifted Leeds into mid-table by Christmas. This time, however, Leeds completely imploded after the turn of the year, plunging them right back into relegation trouble. A 2-1 victory over Brighton on the final Saturday meant that Leeds needed to win at fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion three days later to stay up and relegate the West Midlands team, but the match ended 2-0 to the home team. While chairman Manny Cussins initially promised that Clarke would be allowed the opportunity to take Leeds straight back up, he later changed his mind and sacked him, instead appointing Eddie Gray as player-manager.

League table

Main article: 1981–82 Football League § First Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
18 Stoke City 42 12 8 22 44 63 −19 44
19 Sunderland 42 11 11 20 38 58 −20 44
20 Leeds United (R) 42 10 12 20 39 61 −22 42 Relegation to the Second Division
21 Wolverhampton Wanderers (R) 42 10 10 22 32 63 −31 40
22 Middlesbrough (R) 42 8 15 19 34 52 −18 39
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(R) Relegated

First-team squad

Squad at end of season[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  ENG John Lukic
— DF  ENG Neil Aspin
— DF  ENG Trevor Cherry
— DF  ENG Neil Firm
— DF  ENG Brian Greenhoff
— DF  ENG Paul Hart
— DF  SCO Kenny Burns
— DF  SCO Frank Gray
— MF  ENG Tony Arins
— MF  ENG Peter Barnes
— MF  ENG Gary Hamson
— MF  ENG Kevin Hird
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  WAL Carl Harris
— MF  WAL Brian Flynn
— MF  WAL Gwyn Thomas
— MF  SCO Arthur Graham
— MF  SCO Eddie Gray
— MF  SCO Tommy Wright
— FW  ENG Aiden Butterworth
— FW  ENG Frank Worthington
— FW  ENG Terry Connor
— FW  WAL Steve Balcombe
— FW  SCO Derek Parlane

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  WAL Byron Stevenson (to Birmingham City)

Reserve squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  ENG David Seaman

Transfers

In

Out

Transfers in: £1,630,000
Transfers out: £160,000
Total spending: £1,470,000

Loaned out

References

  1. ^ "leeds-fans.org.uk: Leeds United Season 1981 - 1982: Division One". www.leeds-fans.org.uk.
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