1971–72 Football League

The 1971–72 season was the 73rd completed season of The Football League.

The Football League
Season1971–72
ChampionsDerby County
RelegatedBarrow

Brian Clough, 37, won the first major trophy of his managerial career by guiding Derby County to their first ever league championship. They overcame Leeds United, Liverpool and Manchester City to win a four-horse race, with only a single point separating all four teams. There were later bribery allegations from The Sunday People newspaper regarding Leeds manager Don Revie and Leeds' final opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers.[1] The footballing authorities never investigated these allegations to decide whether they were true or not.

Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town lost their First Division status. By the end of the decade, Forest had made an explosive comeback to the top flight. 1971-1972 was Huddersfield's last season in the top flight until their promotion in 2016-17, and within a few seasons they would be in the Fourth Division — most of their existence since 1972 has been spent in the league's lower two divisions.

In the Second Division Norwich City and Birmingham City were promoted. This was the first time that Norwich City had reached the top flight. Charlton Athletic and Watford were relegated.

Aston Villa ended their two-year spell in the Third Division by gaining promotion as champions, and by the end of the decade would be firmly re-established as a First Division club. Brighton & Hove Albion followed Villa into the Second Division, but would not reach the heady heights that the midlanders would experience. Mansfield Town, Barnsley, Torquay United and Bradford City were relegated.

Grimsby Town, Southend United, Brentford and Scunthorpe United were promoted from the Fourth Division. Barrow were voted out of the Football League and replaced by Hereford United, who a short time earlier had achieved a shock FA Cup victory over Newcastle United.

Ernie Tagg sacked himself as manager of Crewe Alexandra because he felt that a younger manager should take charge of the club.

Final league tables and results

The tables below are reproduced here in the exact form that they can be found at The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website[2] and in Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888-89 to 1978-79,[3] with home and away statistics separated.

Beginning with the season 1894–95, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded), or more properly put, goal ratio. In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976-77 season.

Since the Fourth Division was established in the 1958–59 season, the bottom four teams of that division have been required to apply for re-election.[3]

First Division
First Division
Season1971–72
ChampionsDerby County
1st title
RelegatedNottingham Forest
Huddersfield Town
European CupDerby County
Cup Winners' CupLeeds United
UEFA CupLiverpool
Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur
Stoke City
Watney CupWolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield United
Matches played462
Goals scored1,160 (2.51 per match)
Top goalscorerFrancis Lee
(33 goals)[4]
Biggest home winEverton 8–0 Southampton
(20 November 1971)
Biggest away winSheffield United 0–5 Arsenal
(29 January 1972)
Highest scoringEverton 8–0 Southampton
(20 November 1971)

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Derby County (C) 42 24 10 8 69 33 2.091 58 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Leeds United 42 24 9 9 73 31 2.355 57 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
3 Liverpool 42 24 9 9 64 30 2.133 57 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
4 Manchester City 42 23 11 8 77 45 1.711 57
5 Arsenal 42 22 8 12 58 40 1.450 52
6 Tottenham Hotspur 42 19 13 10 63 42 1.500 51 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[lower-alpha 2]
7 Chelsea 42 18 12 12 58 49 1.184 48
8 Manchester United 42 19 10 13 69 61 1.131 48
9 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 18 11 13 65 57 1.140 47 Qualification for the Watney Cup[lower-alpha 3]
10 Sheffield United 42 17 12 13 61 60 1.017 46
11 Newcastle United 42 15 11 16 49 52 0.942 41
12 Leicester City 42 13 13 16 41 46 0.891 39
13 Ipswich Town 42 11 16 15 39 53 0.736 38
14 West Ham United 42 12 12 18 47 51 0.922 36
15 Everton 42 9 18 15 37 48 0.771 36
16 West Bromwich Albion 42 12 11 19 42 54 0.778 35
17 Stoke City 42 10 15 17 39 56 0.696 35 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
18 Coventry City 42 9 15 18 44 67 0.657 33
19 Southampton 42 12 7 23 52 80 0.650 31
20 Crystal Palace 42 8 13 21 39 65 0.600 29
21 Nottingham Forest (R) 42 8 9 25 47 81 0.580 25 Relegation to the Second Division
22 Huddersfield Town (R) 42 6 13 23 27 59 0.458 25
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Leeds United qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup as the 1971-72 FA Cup winners.
  2. Tottenham Hotspur qualified for the UEFA Cup as the 1971-72 UEFA Cup winners.
  3. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United qualified for the Watney Cup as the two teams with the most goals that hadn't already qualified for a European competition.

Results
Home \ Away ARS CHE COV CRY DER EVE HUD IPS LEE LEI LIV MCI MUN NEW NOT SHU SOU STK TOT WBA WHU WOL
Arsenal 3–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–2 3–0 4–2 3–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 0–2 2–0 2–1 2–1
Chelsea 1–2 3–3 2–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 2–2 2–3 3–3 2–0 2–0 3–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 3–1 3–1
Coventry City 0–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 4–1 2–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–3 1–0 1–1 3–2 1–0 1–1 1–0 0–2 1–1 0–0
Crystal Palace 2–2 2–3 2–2 0–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 5–1 2–3 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–3 0–2
Derby County 2–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 2–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 1–0 3–1 2–2 0–1 4–0 3–0 2–2 4–0 2–2 0–0 2–0 2–1
Everton 2–1 2–0 1–2 0–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–2 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–1 8–0 0–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–2
Huddersfield Town 0–1 1–2 0–1 0–1 2–1 0–0 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 0–3 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–2 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 0–1
Ipswich Town 0–1 1–2 3–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–2 1–2 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–3 1–0 2–1
Leeds United 3–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 3–2 3–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 5–1 5–1 6–1 1–0 7–0 1–0 1–1 3–0 0–0 0–0
Leicester City 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–0 0–2 0–0 2–0 1–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 3–0 2–1 0–1 0–1 2–1 0–1 0–1 2–0 1–2
Liverpool 3–2 0–0 3–1 4–1 3–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–2 3–0 2–2 5–0 3–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 1–0 3–2
Manchester City 2–0 1–0 4–0 4–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 4–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 3–3 2–1 2–2 2–1 3–0 1–2 4–0 2–1 3–1 5–2
Manchester United 3–1 0–1 2–2 4–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–0 0–1 3–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 3–2 2–0 3–2 3–0 3–1 3–1 4–2 1–3
Newcastle United 2–0 0–0 4–2 1–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–1 1–0 2–0 3–2 0–0 0–1 2–1 1–2 3–1 0–0 3–1 4–2 2–2 2–0
Nottingham Forest 1–1 2–1 4–0 0–1 0–2 1–0 1–2 0–2 0–2 1–2 2–3 2–2 0–0 1–0 2–3 2–3 0–0 0–1 4–1 1–0 1–3
Sheffield United 0–5 1–0 2–0 1–0 0–4 1–1 3–1 7–0 3–0 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–3 2–2 0–0 3–0 2–2
Southampton 0–1 2–2 3–1 1–0 1–2 0–1 1–2 0–0 2–1 1–0 0–1 2–0 2–5 1–2 4–1 3–2 3–1 0–0 1–1 3–3 1–2
Stoke City 0–0 0–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 3–3 0–3 3–1 0–0 1–3 1–1 3–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 0–1
Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 3–0 1–0 3–0 0–1 3–0 4–1 2–1 1–0 4–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–0 6–1 2–0 1–0 2–0 3–2 0–1 4–1
West Bromwich Albion 0–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 0–0 2–0 1–1 1–2 0–1 0–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 0–3 1–0 2–2 3–2 0–1 1–1 0–0 2–3
West Ham United 0–0 2–1 4–0 1–1 3–3 1–0 3–0 0–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–0 0–1 4–2 1–2 1–0 2–1 2–0 0–1 1–0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 5–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–1 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 4–2 1–2 4–2 2–0 2–2 0–1 1–0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League First Division London teams 1971–1972
Locations of the Football League First Division 1971–1972 teams

Second Division
Second Division
Season1971–72
ChampionsNorwich City
PromotedNorwich City
Birmingham City
RelegatedCharlton Athletic
Watford
Watney CupBlackpool
Burnley
Matches played462
Goals scored1,194 (2.58 per match)
Top goalscorerBob Latchford
(23 goals)[4]
Biggest home winBurnley 6–1 Orient
(28 September 1971)
Cardiff City 6–1 Charlton Athletic
(23 October 1971)
Blackpool 5–0 Watford
(1 January 1972)
Orient 5–0 Sunderland
(8 January 1972)
Sunderland 5–0 Watford
(17 April 1972)
Blackpool 5–0 Charlton Athletic
(29 April 1972)
Biggest away winSheffield Wednesday 1–5 Bristol City
(21 April 1972)
Highest scoringPortsmouth 6–3 Fulham
(23 October 1971)
Birmingham City 6–3 Portsmouth
(8 January 1972)

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Norwich City (C, P) 42 21 15 6 60 36 1.667 57 Promotion to the First Division
2 Birmingham City (P) 42 19 18 5 60 31 1.935 56
3 Millwall 42 19 17 6 64 46 1.391 55
4 Queens Park Rangers 42 20 14 8 57 28 2.036 54
5 Sunderland 42 17 16 9 67 57 1.175 50
6 Blackpool 42 20 7 15 70 50 1.400 47 Qualification for the Watney Cup
7 Burnley 42 20 6 16 70 55 1.273 46
8 Bristol City 42 18 10 14 61 49 1.245 46
9 Middlesbrough 42 19 8 15 50 48 1.042 46
10 Carlisle United 42 17 9 16 61 57 1.070 43
11 Swindon Town 42 15 12 15 47 47 1.000 42
12 Hull City 42 14 10 18 49 53 0.925 38
13 Luton Town 42 10 18 14 43 48 0.896 38
14 Sheffield Wednesday 42 13 12 17 51 58 0.879 38
15 Oxford United 42 12 14 16 43 55 0.782 38
16 Portsmouth 42 12 13 17 59 68 0.868 37
17 Orient 42 14 9 19 50 61 0.820 37
18 Preston North End 42 12 12 18 52 58 0.897 36
19 Cardiff City 42 10 14 18 56 69 0.812 34
20 Fulham 42 12 10 20 45 68 0.662 34
21 Charlton Athletic (R) 42 12 9 21 55 77 0.714 33 Relegation to the Third Division
22 Watford (R) 42 5 9 28 24 75 0.320 19
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results
Home \ Away BIR BLP BRI BUR CAR CRL CHA FUL HUL LUT MID MIL NWC ORI OXF POR PNE QPR SHW SUN SWI WAT
Birmingham City 2–1 1–0 2–0 3–0 3–2 4–1 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 4–0 2–0 0–0 6–3 2–2 0–0 0–0 1–1 4–1 4–1
Blackpool 1–1 1–0 4–2 3–0 2–0 5–0 2–1 1–1 0–1 3–1 0–0 1–2 4–1 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 4–1 5–0
Bristol City 1–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–4 2–0 1–2 4–0 0–0 2–1 3–3 0–1 5–3 4–2 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 2–1
Burnley 1–1 2–1 1–1 3–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 5–2 2–0 1–0 6–1 1–1 1–3 1–0 1–0 5–3 0–1 1–2 3–0
Cardiff City 0–0 3–4 2–3 2–2 3–1 6–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 1–1 3–2 5–2 0–0 3–2 1–2 0–1 2–0
Carlisle United 2–2 2–0 2–0 0–3 2–1 5–2 3–1 2–1 0–0 3–0 3–3 3–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–4 2–2 1–2 0–0 2–0
Charlton Athletic 1–1 2–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–2 3–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–0
Fulham 0–0 2–1 2–0 0–2 4–3 0–1 1–0 1–0 3–1 2–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–0 0–3 4–0 0–0 2–4 3–0
Hull City 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–2 0–0 2–0 2–3 4–0 0–0 4–3 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–3 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–3 2–0 4–0
Luton Town 0–0 1–4 0–0 1–0 2–2 0–2 1–2 2–0 0–1 3–2 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–2 0–0 0–0
Middlesbrough 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–1 0–1 3–2 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–1
Millwall 3–0 1–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 4–1 2–1 2–2 1–0 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–2
Norwich City 2–2 5–1 2–2 3–0 2–1 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–2 0–0 3–2 3–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–1
Orient 0–1 0–1 2–0 1–0 4–1 2–1 3–2 1–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 2–1 3–2 2–0 0–3 5–0 0–1 1–0
Oxford United 0–1 3–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 3–1 2–1 1–0 2–2 1–1 0–0 1–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–0 2–0 1–1 0–0
Portsmouth 1–0 1–3 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–0 0–0 6–3 0–0 0–3 2–1 1–1 2–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–2 2–2 1–2 2–2
Preston North End 0–0 1–4 1–0 1–3 1–2 3–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 0–1 1–0 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–0 4–0 1–1 1–0 1–3 2–2 2–0
Queens Park Rangers 1–0 0–1 3–0 3–1 3–0 3–0 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–0 4–2 1–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 3–0 3–0
Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 1–2 1–5 2–1 2–2 2–1 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 1–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–0 3–0 1–0 2–1
Sunderland 1–1 0–0 1–1 4–3 1–1 0–3 3–0 2–1 0–1 2–2 4–1 3–3 1–1 2–0 3–0 3–2 4–3 0–1 2–0 1–0 5–0
Swindon Town 1–1 1–0 0–1 0–1 3–1 0–0 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–1 0–1 0–2 0–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–1 2–0
Watford 0–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 2–2 1–2 0–3 1–2 1–2 2–1 0–1 0–1 1–1 0–1 0–1 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League Second Division London teams 1971–1972
Locations of the Football League Second Division 1971–1972 teams

Third Division
Third Division
Season1971–72
ChampionsAston Villa
PromotedAston Villa
Brighton & Hove Albion
RelegatedMansfield Town
Barnsley
Torquay United
Bradford City
Cup Winners' CupWrexham
Watney CupNotts County
Bristol Rovers
Matches played552
Goals scored1,407 (2.55 per match)
Top goalscorerTed MacDougall
(35 goals)[4]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Aston Villa (C, P) 46 32 6 8 85 32 2.656 70 Promotion to the Second Division
2 Brighton & Hove Albion (P) 46 27 11 8 82 47 1.745 65
3 Bournemouth 46 23 16 7 73 37 1.973 62
4 Notts County 46 25 12 9 74 44 1.682 62 Qualification for the Watney Cup
5 Rotherham United 46 20 15 11 69 52 1.327 55
6 Bristol Rovers 46 21 12 13 75 56 1.339 54 Qualification for the Watney Cup
7 Bolton Wanderers 46 17 16 13 51 41 1.244 50
8 Plymouth Argyle 46 20 10 16 74 64 1.156 50
9 Walsall 46 15 18 13 62 57 1.088 48
10 Blackburn Rovers 46 19 9 18 54 57 0.947 47
11 Oldham Athletic 46 17 11 18 59 63 0.937 45
12 Shrewsbury Town 46 17 10 19 73 65 1.123 44
13 Chesterfield 46 18 8 20 57 57 1.000 44
14 Swansea City 46 17 10 19 46 59 0.780 44
15 Port Vale 46 13 15 18 43 59 0.729 41
16 Wrexham 46 16 8 22 59 63 0.937 40 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round
17 Halifax Town 46 13 12 21 48 61 0.787 38
18 Rochdale 46 12 13 21 57 83 0.687 37
19 York City 46 12 12 22 57 66 0.864 36
20 Tranmere Rovers 46 10 16 20 50 71 0.704 36
21 Mansfield Town (R) 46 8 20 18 41 63 0.651 36 Relegation to the Fourth Division
22 Barnsley (R) 46 9 18 19 32 64 0.500 36
23 Torquay United (R) 46 10 12 24 41 69 0.594 32
24 Bradford City (R) 46 11 10 25 45 77 0.584 32
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results
Home \ Away BOU AST BAR BLB BOL BRA B&HA BRR CHF HAL MAN NTC OLD PLY PTV ROC ROT SHR SWA TOR TRA WAL WRE YOR
AFC Bournemouth 3–0 0–0 1–0 1–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 3–2 4–1 3–1 3–1 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 4–0 2–2
Aston Villa 2–1 2–0 4–1 3–2 3–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 3–0 2–0 5–1 2–0 0–0 2–0 1–0
Barnsley 0–0 0–4 0–0 1–0 0–2 0–1 0–0 1–4 1–2 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 0–0 3–3 1–1 1–3 0–1 0–0 0–0 4–2 2–1 2–1
Blackburn Rovers 2–1 1–1 4–0 0–3 1–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–1 3–2 3–1 3–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 1–0 4–1 1–1 2–1 3–0
Bolton Wanderers 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 2–2 2–0 0–0 2–0 1–0 0–1 0–2 0–1
Bradford City 2–2 0–1 0–2 1–2 0–3 2–1 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 2–1 0–2 0–1 1–1 3–0 0–2 3–1
Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 2–1 0–0 3–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 3–1 2–0 1–2 3–2 0–2
Bristol Rovers 1–2 0–1 3–0 3–0 2–0 7–1 2–2 3–1 1–0 2–1 0–2 1–0 2–2 2–1 5–2 1–2 3–1 2–1 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 5–4
Chesterfield 0–0 0–4 0–0 2–0 2–1 0–1 0–1 1–3 2–1 2–0 1–2 0–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 2–1
Halifax Town 1–0 0–1 2–0 0–1 0–1 2–1 0–5 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 3–2 3–1 4–1 3–1
Mansfield Town 0–5 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–3 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 2–3 0–1 3–1 0–1 2–2 0–2 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–0
Notts County 1–1 0–3 3–0 1–0 1–2 2–0 1–0 2–3 1–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 2–1 4–0 1–1 1–0 5–0 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–0 2–2
Oldham Athletic 3–1 0–6 6–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 2–4 3–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–1 0–1 1–0 3–2 5–1 1–4 1–0 1–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–0
Plymouth Argyle 1–1 3–2 2–1 1–0 2–0 1–4 1–2 2–1 1–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–0 0–0 4–1 2–1 1–2 4–1 3–1 2–2 3–2 1–2 4–0
Port Vale 1–1 4–4 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–2 1–0 1–0 0–3 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–2 2–1 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–0 4–3
Rochdale 1–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 2–2 0–1 1–2 3–1 0–2 3–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 3–2 2–1 0–0 1–1 5–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–2
Rotherham United 0–0 0–2 3–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–4 0–0 0–1 3–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–3 3–0 5–1 2–1 4–0 2–2 0–0 1–1 2–2 1–1
Shrewsbury Town 3–2 1–1 1–0 7–1 1–0 3–0 3–5 2–2 3–4 3–0 4–2 1–1 2–4 1–2 0–0 2–1 0–1 3–0 2–0 0–0 4–1 2–1 2–1
Swansea City 1–2 1–2 2–0 0–1 3–2 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–0 0–2 1–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–1
Torquay United 0–2 2–1 1–2 3–1 1–1 2–1 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 2–0 1–4 0–1 2–2 2–3 0–1
Tranmere Rovers 1–2 0–1 0–0 1–3 0–0 4–1 2–0 0–1 1–2 2–3 2–2 2–1 2–2 3–2 3–2 2–0 0–0 0–4 0–0 2–0 3–3 2–1 2–0
Walsall 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 3–0 0–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 2–1 1–2 2–3 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–0 4–1 4–0 1–0 4–1 2–1 2–1
Wrexham 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–1 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–2 1–3 0–0 2–1 2–0 1–2 3–0 3–1 2–0
York City 0–2 0–1 1–1 0–1 0–0 3–1 1–2 0–0 4–1 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–0 2–3 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 5–0 2–0 1–1
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League Third Division teams 1971–1972

Fourth Division
Football League
Fourth Division
Season1971–72
ChampionsGrimsby Town (1st title)
PromotedBrentford,
Scunthorpe United,
Southend United
Failed re-electionBarrow
Matches played552
Goals scored1,496 (2.71 per match)
Top goalscorerPeter Price (Peterborough United), 28 [4]

Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Grimsby Town 46 18 3 2 61 26 10 4 9 27 30 1.571 63 Division Champions, promoted
2 Southend United 46 18 2 3 56 26 6 10 7 25 29 1.473 60 Promoted
3 Brentford 46 16 2 5 52 21 8 9 6 24 23 1.727 59
4 Scunthorpe United 46 13 8 2 34 15 9 5 9 22 22 1.514 57
5 Lincoln City 46 17 5 1 46 15 4 9 10 31 44 1.305 56 Qualified for 1972 Watney Cup[lower-alpha 1]
6 Workington 46 12 9 2 34 7 4 10 9 16 27 1.471 51
7 Southport 46 15 5 3 48 21 3 9 11 18 25 1.435 50
8 Peterborough United 46 14 6 3 51 24 3 10 10 31 40 1.281 50 Qualified for 1972 Watney Cup[lower-alpha 1]
9 Bury 46 16 4 3 55 22 3 8 12 18 37 1.237 50
10 Cambridge United 46 11 8 4 38 22 6 6 11 24 38 1.033 48
11 Colchester United 46 13 6 4 38 23 6 4 13 32 46 1.014 48
12 Doncaster Rovers 46 11 8 4 35 24 5 6 12 21 39 0.889 46
13 Gillingham 46 11 5 7 33 24 5 8 10 28 43 0.910 45
14 Newport County 46 13 5 5 34 20 5 3 15 26 52 0.833 44
15 Exeter City 46 11 5 7 40 30 5 6 12 21 38 0.897 43
16 Reading 46 14 3 6 37 26 3 5 15 19 50 0.737 42
17 Aldershot 46 5 13 5 27 20 4 9 10 21 34 0.889 40
18 Hartlepool 46 14 2 7 39 25 3 4 16 19 44 0.841 40
19 Darlington 46 9 9 5 37 24 5 2 16 27 58 0.780 39
20 Chester 46 10 11 2 34 16 0 7 16 13 40 0.839 38
21 Northampton Town 46 8 9 6 43 27 4 4 15 23 52 0.835 37 Re-elected
22 Barrow 46 8 8 7 23 26 5 3 15 17 45 0.563 37 Failed re-election
23 Stockport County 46 7 10 6 33 32 2 4 17 22 55 0.632 32 Re-elected
24 Crewe Alexandra 46 9 4 10 27 25 1 5 17 16 44 0.623 29
Source: rsssf.com
Notes:
  1. The two teams who scored the most goals in each division, and did not qualify for Europe and were not promoted, qualified for the Watney Cup.

Results
Home \ Away ALD BRW BRE BRY CAM CHE COL CRE DAR DON EXE GIL GRI HAR LIN NPC NOR PET REA SCU STD SOU STP WRK
Aldershot 1–1 1–2 2–2 1–1 0–0 0–2 0–0 3–0 3–0 0–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–0 3–0 0–2 1–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 4–0 2–2
Barrow 1–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–1 0–4 1–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 0–2 0–0 0–1 2–1 0–2 3–2 2–0
Brentford 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 1–0 6–2 2–1 1–0 1–3 2–0 6–0 2–0 3–1 6–1 5–1 1–2 0–3 1–2 1–0 2–0 2–0
Bury 3–1 4–0 0–2 0–1 3–1 3–0 2–0 3–2 3–3 4–3 5–0 1–1 1–1 0–1 3–0 4–2 1–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–1 4–0 2–0
Cambridge United 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–2 3–2 6–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 3–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 1–1 2–5 4–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 2–0 0–0
Chester 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–2 5–1 1–2 4–0 2–1 3–0 3–2 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–0 2–1
Colchester United 1–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 4–2 4–3 1–2 3–0 2–2 0–1 1–0 5–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 3–2 1–0
Crewe Alexandra 2–1 1–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 3–1 2–4 1–1 0–1 0–1 0–1 0–1 1–2 3–1 1–2 0–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–1 3–1 0–0
Darlington 4–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–1 0–0 3–2 1–2 3–3 0–0 5–2 1–1 1–0 0–1 2–3 0–0 1–2 4–0
Doncaster Rovers 2–1 0–1 0–3 4–1 1–1 0–0 2–0 0–0 4–0 2–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 4–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–1 2–2 0–0
Exeter City 1–0 7–1 0–1 3–2 3–4 1–1 3–3 3–1 3–0 1–0 1–1 3–4 1–0 1–2 1–0 1–3 3–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–3 2–0 0–2
Gillingham 0–1 1–1 0–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 0–2 2–1 4–2 2–0 0–2 0–1 1–0 3–3 1–2 4–1 1–1 4–2 0–1 0–0 2–1 3–2 0–0
Grimsby Town 3–3 2–0 3–1 4–1 2–1 1–0 3–0 2–3 2–0 3–1 3–0 2–1 3–2 2–2 4–2 4–2 3–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 0–1 4–1 1–1
Hartlepool 0–1 4–3 1–2 3–1 1–2 2–1 3–2 1–0 2–3 0–0 1–0 3–1 0–1 2–1 0–1 2–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 5–0 1–3
Lincoln City 2–2 3–2 4–1 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 0–0 0–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 3–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 3–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 2–1 1–0
Newport County 2–3 2–1 0–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 2–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 0–0 1–2 2–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 2–2 1–0 0–1
Northampton Town 2–3 2–0 0–0 2–2 1–2 4–2 1–1 4–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 6–1 3–0 2–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 5–0 0–2 1–1 0–0 2–0 1–2
Peterborough United 0–0 7–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 3–3 2–1 0–2 2–2 4–4 3–1 1–0 3–2 0–1 2–0 2–0 4–2 1–1
Reading 2–0 1–0 2–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 2–4 1–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–2 1–3 3–0 0–1 4–2 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 2–2 0–0
Scunthorpe United 1–0 2–1 0–0 3–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 0–0 3–0 3–3 1–2 2–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–2 2–0
Southend 1–0 1–0 3–1 0–0 1–2 4–2 1–4 4–1 3–0 2–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–1 3–1 4–1 2–1 4–1 2–3 2–1 4–2 2–0
Southport 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 4–1 4–3 3–0 4–2 2–1 3–0 4–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 4–2 4–0 2–4 5–2 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–2
Stockport County 0–0 1–3 0–1 2–2 3–0 0–0 2–2 3–1 2–1 1–2 0–4 2–1 0–2 2–1 4–2 4–4 3–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 2–2 1–1 1–1
Workington 5–0 0–1 3–0 1–0 0–1 0–0 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 3–0 2–0 4–1 5–0 2–1 3–1 0–0 1–1
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League Fourth Division teams 1971–1972

See also

References
  1. Corbett, James (2007-11-25). "James Corbett on Don Revie". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  2. "England 1971–72". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  3. Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
  4. "English League Leading Goalscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  • Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane's, London & Sydney, 1980.
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