1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season

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

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

Season summary

edit

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, with a series of expensive signings (most notably Peter Barnes, signed for a then-club record £800,000) generally proving misfires.

Despite this, the club still picked up enough wins that a victory over Brighton in the penultimate match lifted them out of the drop zone, leaving them only needing to avoid defeat to fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion on the final day. However, Leeds went down to a 2-0 defeat, confirming relegation. 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

edit

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

edit
Squad at end of season[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. 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

edit

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

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

Reserve squad

edit

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   ENG David Seaman

Transfers

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

Loaned out

edit

References

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