1978–79 in English football

The 1978-1979 season was the 99th season of competitive football (soccer) in England.

Overview

First Division

Bob Paisley won his third league title at Liverpool as his conquering side fought off competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion to achieve their triumph. The final points tally of 68 was a record under the two points for a win system and Ray Clemence kept 28 clean sheets in a season that saw Liverpool concede only four goals at home. Albion were in their first season under the management of Ron Atkinson, and during the season pulled off a famous 5-3 away win over Manchester United. Albion's playing staff included some of the most competent young players in the league, including Bryan Robson, Brendan Batson, Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham.

Down at the other end of the table, the three relegation places went to Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City and Chelsea. QPR had declined since the departure of Dave Sexton in 1977 and were relegated just three years after coming within a whisker of the league title. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Danny Blanchflower paid for Chelsea's shortcomings by losing his job.

Money dominated the headlines during the season: Trevor Francis became England's first million-pound footballer after joining Nottingham Forest from Birmingham City. Liverpool became one of the first English clubs to have a shirt sponsor when they agreed a sponsorship deal with the Japanese hi-fi manufacturers Hitachi. By the end of the season, more and more English clubs were signing money-spinning sponsorship deals with commercial firms as the sporting world became even more obsessed with advertising.

econd Division

Crystal Palace won the Second Division title, followed by rivals Brighton & Hove Albion (in the top division for the first time) and third-paced Stoke City, to achieve promotion to the top flight. Going down were Sheffield United, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.

Third Division

Shrewsbury Town were crowned champions of the Third Division. The other two promotion spots were occupied by Watford and Swansea City, who within a few seasons would make their mark on the First Division. Peterborough United, Walsall, Tranmere Rovers and Lincoln City were relegated to the Fourth Division.

Fourth Division

Reading, Grimsby Town, Wimbledon and Barnsley occupied the Fourth Division promotion places. The success came for Wimbledon in only their second season as a league club and within a decade they would be an established First Division club, but things would get worse before they got better. For the second season running, the re-election system voted in favour of the league's bottom four clubs and there were no departures or arrivals in the league.

FA Cup

Manchester United had seemingly pulled off a remarkable comeback against Arsenal in the FA Cup final to make the score 2-2 after being two goals down, but a last-minute goal from Alan Sunderland saw Arsenal lift the trophy with a 3-2 scoreline. It was Arsenal's first trophy success since Terry Neill replaced Bertie Mee as manager.

League Cup

European Cup winners Nottingham Forest added the League Cup to their honours list to complete another brilliant season for Brian Clough's revolutionaries, with a 3-2 victory over Southampton.

tar players

*Liam Brady was credited for his part in Arsenal's FA Cup triumph with the PFA Players' Player of the Year.
*Cyrille Regis played a major part in West Bromwich Albion's best league season for years and received the PFA Young Player of the Year award in recognition of his excellence.
*The FWA voted Liverpool's excellent Scottish striker Kenny Dalglish as Player of the Year.

tar managers

*Bob Paisley brought league championship glory to Liverpool.
*Brian Clough guided Nottingham Forest to a double triumph of the European Cup and League Cup.
*Terry Neill won his first major trophy as Arsenal manager in shape of the FA Cup.
*Ron Atkinson oversaw a revolution at West Bromwich Albion as a previously ungainly side came just two places and nine points away from winning the league.
*Graham Taylor won his second promotion with Watford to bring them within one division of the top flight.
*Gordon Lee took Everton into the UEFA Cup after steering them to fourth place in the league.
*Terry Venables took Crystal Palace into the First Division - as Second Division champions.
*Graham Turner took Shrewsbury Town into the Second Division for the first time by winning the Third Division title.
*John Toshack completed back-to-back promotions with Swansea City to take them into the Second Division.

Honours

=Third Division=

=Fourth Division=

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

Deaths

*Alan Groves, 29, Blackpool winger who had previously played for Oldham Athletic, Shrewsbury Town and others. Died of a heart attack.
*Hugh Neil, 42, former Carlisle United defender; died in a car accident.
*Tommy McLaren, 29, former Port Vale midfielder; committed suicide two months after being released by the club.