1972–73 Football League

The 1972–73 season was the 74th completed season of The Football League.

The Football League
Season1972–73
ChampionsLiverpool
New Club in LeagueHereford United

Liverpool's championship win meant they claimed their first trophy since 1966 in Bill Shankly's penultimate season as manager despite competition from Arsenal, Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Manchester United sacked manager Frank O'Farrell after 18 months in charge. He had been unable to mount a title challenge. Tommy Docherty, the 44-year-old Scottish national coach and former Aston Villa manager, was appointed as his successor. Bobby Charlton and Denis Law both played their last games for the club while George Best's appearances were becoming increasingly rare.

Burnley and Queens Park Rangers won promotion to the First Division. Huddersfield Town's decline continued as they slid into the Third Division, where they were joined by Brighton & Hove Albion.

Bolton Wanderers and Notts County occupied the two promotion places in the Third Division. Rotherham United, Brentford, Swansea City and Scunthorpe United were relegated to the Fourth Division.

Hereford United were promoted from the Fourth Division in their first season as a Football League club. They had been elected to the Football League a year earlier after winning the Southern League and achieving a shock win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup. They were joined in the promotion zone by champions Southport, Cambridge United and Aldershot. Newport County missed promotion only on goal average. There were no arrivals or departures in the league for 1973.

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[1] and in Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79,[2] 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.[2]

First Division
First Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsLiverpool
8th title
RelegatedCrystal Palace
West Bromwich Albion
European CupLiverpool
UEFA CupLeeds United
Ipswich Town
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tottenham Hotspur
Watney CupWest Ham United
Stoke City
Matches played462
Goals scored1,160 (2.51 per match)
Top goalscorerPop Robson
(28 goals)[3]
Biggest home winLiverpool 5–0 Sheffield United
(23 September 1972)
Leeds United 5–0 Derby County
(7 October 1972)
Crystal Palace 5–0 Manchester United
(16 October 1972)
Derby County 5–0 Arsenal
(25 November 1972)
Leeds United 6–1 Arsenal
(9 March 1973)
Biggest away winWest Bromwich Albion 0–4 Crystal Palace
(3 March 1973)
Highest scoringWolverhampton Wanderers 5–3 Stoke City
(30 September 1972)
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Liverpool (C) 42 25 10 7 72 42 1.714 60 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Arsenal 42 23 11 8 57 43 1.326 57
3 Leeds United 42 21 11 10 71 45 1.578 53 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
4 Ipswich Town 42 17 14 11 55 45 1.222 48
5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 18 11 13 66 54 1.222 47
6 West Ham United 42 17 12 13 67 53 1.264 46 Qualification for the Watney Cup[lower-alpha 1]
7 Derby County 42 19 8 15 56 54 1.037 46
8 Tottenham Hotspur 42 16 13 13 58 48 1.208 45 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
9 Newcastle United 42 16 13 13 60 51 1.176 45
10 Birmingham City 42 15 12 15 53 54 0.981 42
11 Manchester City 42 15 11 16 57 60 0.950 41
12 Chelsea 42 13 14 15 49 51 0.961 40
13 Southampton 42 11 18 13 47 52 0.904 40
14 Sheffield United 42 15 10 17 51 59 0.864 40
15 Stoke City 42 14 10 18 61 56 1.089 38 Qualification for the Watney Cup[lower-alpha 1]
16 Leicester City 42 10 17 15 40 46 0.870 37
17 Everton 42 13 11 18 41 49 0.837 37
18 Manchester United 42 12 13 17 44 60 0.733 37
19 Coventry City 42 13 9 20 40 55 0.727 35
20 Norwich City 42 11 10 21 36 63 0.571 32
21 Crystal Palace (R) 42 9 12 21 41 58 0.707 30 Relegation to the Second Division
22 West Bromwich Albion (R) 42 9 10 23 38 62 0.613 28
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. West Ham United and Stoke City 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 BIR CHE COV CRY DER EVE IPS LEE LEI LIV MCI MUN NEW NWC SHU SOU STK TOT WBA WHU WOL
Arsenal 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–2 1–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 5–2
Birmingham City 1–1 2–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 1–1 2–1 4–1 3–1 3–2 4–1 1–2 1–1 3–1 0–0 3–2 0–0 0–1
Chelsea 0–1 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 1–1 3–1 4–2 2–1 1–3 0–1 3–1 1–3 0–2
Coventry City 1–1 0–0 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–0 2–1 0–1 3–2 1–2 3–2 1–1 0–3 3–1 3–0 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 3–1 0–1
Crystal Palace 2–3 0–0 2–0 0–1 0–0 1–0 1–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–0 5–0 2–1 0–2 0–1 3–0 3–2 0–0 0–2 1–3 1–1
Derby County 5–0 1–0 1–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–0 2–3 2–1 2–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 4–0 0–3 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–0
Everton 0–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–2 0–1 0–2 2–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–1 0–1 2–0 3–1 1–0 1–2 0–1
Ipswich Town 1–2 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–1 3–1 0–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1
Leeds United 6–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 5–0 2–1 3–3 3–1 1–2 3–0 0–1 1–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–0
Leicester City 0–1 0–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 2–0 0–1 3–1 2–1 1–1
Liverpool 0–2 4–3 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 0–0 2–0 2–0 3–2 3–1 5–0 3–2 2–1 1–1 1–0 3–2 4–2
Manchester City 1–2 1–0 0–1 1–2 2–3 4–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 4–3 1–1
Manchester United 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–2 1–4 2–1 2–2 2–1
Newcastle United 2–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–0 1–2 3–2 2–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–1 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–2 2–1
Norwich City 3–2 1–2 1–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 1–1 0–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 0–1 1–1
Sheffield United 1–0 0–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 0–2 2–0 0–3 1–1 1–0 1–2 2–0 3–1 0–0 3–2 3–0 0–0 1–2
Southampton 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 3–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–1
Stoke City 0–0 1–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 5–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–3 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0
Tottenham Hotspur 1–2 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–2 2–3 1–1 3–2 3–0 2–0 1–2 4–3 1–1 1–0 2–2
West Bromwich Albion 1–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 0–4 2–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–3 0–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 1–0
West Ham United 1–2 2–0 3–1 1–0 4–0 1–2 2–0 0–1 1–1 5–2 0–1 2–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 4–3 3–2 2–2 2–1 2–2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–3 3–2 1–0 3–0 1–1 1–2 4–2 0–1 0–2 2–0 2–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 5–3 3–2 2–0 3–0
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 1972–1973
Locations of the Football League First Division 1972–1973 teams

Second Division
Second Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsBurnley
PromotedBurnley
Queens Park Rangers
RelegatedHuddersfield Town
Brighton & Hove Albion
Cup Winners' CupSunderland
Cardiff City
Watney CupBristol City
Hull City
Matches played462
Goals scored1,156 (2.5 per match)
Top goalscorerDon Givens
(23 goals)[3]
Biggest home winCarlisle United 6–1 Preston North End
(26 December 1972)
Queens Park Rangers 5–0 Swindon Town
(17 February 1973)
Queens Park Rangers 5–0 Portsmouth
(31 March 1973)
Biggest away winPreston North End 0–5 Portsmouth
(10 February 1973)
Highest scoringHull City 6–2 Preston North End
(27 January 1973)
Blackpool 6–2 Brighton & Hove Albion
(19 April 1973)

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Burnley (C, P) 42 24 14 4 72 35 2.057 62 Promotion to the First Division
2 Queens Park Rangers (P) 42 24 13 5 81 37 2.189 61
3 Aston Villa 42 18 14 10 51 47 1.085 50
4 Middlesbrough 42 17 13 12 46 43 1.070 47
5 Bristol City 42 17 12 13 63 51 1.235 46 Qualification for the Watney Cup
6 Sunderland 42 17 12 13 59 49 1.204 46 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
7 Blackpool 42 18 10 14 56 51 1.098 46
8 Oxford United 42 19 7 16 52 43 1.209 45
9 Fulham 42 16 12 14 58 49 1.184 44
10 Sheffield Wednesday 42 17 10 15 59 55 1.073 44
11 Millwall 42 16 10 16 55 47 1.170 42
12 Luton Town 42 15 11 16 44 53 0.830 41
13 Hull City 42 14 12 16 64 59 1.085 40 Qualification for the Watney Cup
14 Nottingham Forest 42 14 12 16 47 52 0.904 40
15 Orient 42 12 12 18 49 53 0.925 36
16 Swindon Town 42 10 16 16 46 60 0.767 36
17 Portsmouth 42 12 11 19 42 59 0.712 35
18 Carlisle United 42 11 12 19 50 52 0.962 34
19 Preston North End 42 11 12 19 37 64 0.578 34
20 Cardiff City 42 11 11 20 43 58 0.741 33 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 2]
21 Huddersfield Town (R) 42 8 17 17 36 56 0.643 33 Relegation to the Third Division
22 Brighton & Hove Albion (R) 42 8 13 21 46 83 0.554 29
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Sunderland qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1972–73 FA Cup winners.
  2. Cardiff City qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup first round as the 1972–73 Welsh Cup winners.

Results
Home \ Away AST BLP B&HA BRI BUR CAR CRL FUL HUD HUL LUT MID MIL NOT ORI OXF POR PNE QPR SHW SUN SWI
Aston Villa 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–3 2–0 1–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 2–1
Blackpool 1–1 6–2 3–0 1–2 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 4–3 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 0–0 2–0
Brighton & Hove Albion 1–3 1–2 1–1 0–1 2–2 1–0 2–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 3–3 2–2 3–1
Bristol City 3–0 3–0 3–1 0–1 1–0 4–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–0 3–0
Burnley 4–1 4–3 3–0 1–1 3–0 2–2 2–2 2–1 4–1 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–0 2–1
Cardiff City 0–2 1–2 1–1 1–3 0–1 1–0 3–1 4–1 0–2 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 3–0 0–0 4–1 1–1 1–1
Carlisle United 2–2 2–3 5–1 1–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 1–0 2–1 1–0 6–1 1–3 1–1 4–3 3–0
Fulham 2–0 2–0 5–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–1 2–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–3 0–2 1–0 1–2 0–0
Huddersfield Town 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–1 0–2 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–3 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–0 2–2 1–0 1–1 1–1
Hull City 1–2 1–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 0–0 2–0 0–1 5–1 6–2 4–1 1–1 0–2 3–2
Luton Town 0–0 2–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–1 1–0 4–1 1–2 0–1 2–2 1–0 1–1 0–1 2–2 1–0 2–2 0–0 1–0 0–1
Middlesbrough 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 3–3 2–0 1–0 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 0–0 3–2 1–0 3–0 0–0 0–0 3–0 2–1 0–2
Millwall 1–1 1–1 3–0 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–3 1–0 2–0 3–2 1–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 0–2 4–1 0–1 2–1 0–1 1–1
Nottingham Forest 1–1 4–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–1 2–1 1–1 1–2 0–1 1–3 3–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 3–0 1–0 2–2
Orient 4–0 2–0 1–0 0–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 3–2 3–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 3–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–2 3–2 1–1 1–0
Oxford United 2–0 0–1 3–0 0–2 0–2 2–1 1–1 0–0 2–0 5–2 2–1 4–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–0 5–1 1–0
Portsmouth 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–3 0–2 3–1 0–0 1–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 0–1 0–1 1–0 2–3 1–1
Preston North End 0–1 0–3 4–0 3–3 1–1 0–0 1–0 0–3 0–0 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–5 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1
Queens Park Rangers 1–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–0 3–1 0–0 5–0 3–0 4–2 3–2 5–0
Sheffield Wednesday 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 0–1 1–0 0–0 3–0 3–2 4–2 4–0 2–1 2–2 1–2 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 1–0 2–1
Sunderland 2–2 1–0 4–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 4–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–3 1–1 3–2
Swindon Town 1–3 0–0 2–2 2–1 0–1 3–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–0 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 Second Division London teams 1972–1973
Locations of the Football League Second Division 1972–1973 teams

Third Division
Football League
Third Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsBolton Wanderers (1st title)
PromotedNotts County
RelegatedBrentford,
Rotherham United,
Scunthorpe United,
Swansea City
Matches played552
Goals scored1,371 (2.48 per match)
Top goalscorerArthur Horsfield (Charlton Athletic), 26 [3]

Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Bolton Wanderers 46 18 4 1 44 9 7 7 9 29 30 1.872 61 Division Champions, promoted
2 Notts County 46 17 4 2 40 12 6 7 10 27 35 1.426 57 Promoted
3 Blackburn Rovers 46 12 8 3 34 16 8 7 8 23 31 1.213 55
4 Oldham Athletic 46 12 7 4 40 18 7 9 7 32 36 1.333 54
5 Bristol Rovers 46 17 4 2 55 20 3 9 11 22 36 1.375 53 Qualified for 1973 Watney Cup[lower-alpha 1]
6 Port Vale 46 15 6 2 41 21 6 5 12 15 48 0.812 53
7 AFC Bournemouth 46 14 6 3 44 16 3 10 10 22 28 1.500 50
8 Plymouth Argyle 46 14 3 6 43 26 6 7 10 31 40 1.121 50 Qualified for 1973 Watney Cup[lower-alpha 1]
9 Grimsby Town 46 16 2 5 45 18 4 6 13 22 43 1.098 48
10 Tranmere Rovers 46 12 8 3 38 17 3 8 12 18 35 1.077 46
11 Charlton Athletic 46 12 7 4 46 24 5 4 14 23 43 1.030 45
12 Wrexham 46 11 9 3 39 23 3 8 12 16 31 1.019 45
13 Rochdale 46 8 8 7 22 26 6 9 8 26 28 0.889 45
14 Southend United 46 13 6 4 40 14 4 4 15 21 40 1.130 44
15 Shrewsbury Town 46 10 10 3 31 21 5 4 14 15 33 0.852 44
16 Chesterfield 46 13 4 6 37 22 4 5 14 20 39 0.934 43
17 Walsall 46 14 3 6 37 26 4 4 15 19 40 0.848 43
18 York City 46 8 10 5 24 14 5 5 13 18 32 0.913 41
19 Watford 46 11 8 4 32 23 1 9 13 11 25 0.896 41
20 Halifax Town 46 9 8 6 29 23 4 7 12 14 30 0.811 41
21 Rotherham United 46 12 4 7 34 27 5 3 15 17 38 0.785 41 Relegated
22 Brentford 46 12 5 6 33 18 3 2 18 18 51 0.739 37
23 Swansea City 46 11 5 7 37 29 3 4 16 14 44 0.699 37
24 Scunthorpe United 46 8 7 8 18 25 2 3 18 15 47 0.458 30
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 BOU BLB BOL BRE BRR CHA CHF GRI HAL NTC OLD PLY PTV ROC ROT SCU SHR STD SWA TRA WAL WAT WRE YOR
AFC Bournemouth 3–0 2–0 3–2 0–0 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–1 4–0 4–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–0 2–3
Blackburn Rovers 2–1 0–3 2–1 0–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 3–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–1 1–1 2–1 3–0 0–0 2–1 3–0 2–2 2–0 0–0 1–1 2–0
Bolton Wanderers 3–0 0–1 2–0 2–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 2–2 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 2–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 3–0
Brentford 1–1 4–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 3–1 0–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 5–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–2 1–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–0
Bristol Rovers 2–0 3–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 2–2 2–1 4–1 1–0 3–3 2–0 4–1 0–0 3–0 5–1 5–1 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–2
Charlton Athletic 1–1 1–2 2–3 2–1 3–3 2–2 1–1 1–0 6–1 4–2 3–0 2–0 1–0 1–2 2–0 1–2 0–0 6–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–0
Chesterfield 1–1 3–1 0–1 3–0 0–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 2–2 1–2 2–1 3–2 2–1 2–0 2–4 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–2 0–0
Grimsby Town 0–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–1 0–0 3–1 6–2 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 3–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 6–2 2–0 0–1 1–2
Halifax Town 2–0 2–2 1–1 3–2 3–0 3–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 0–3 2–1 2–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 2–2 1–0
Notts County 0–2 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–0 2–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–0
Oldham Athletic 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 3–0 0–1 3–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 7–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 0–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 1–1
Plymouth Argyle 1–0 1–2 1–0 0–1 3–2 5–0 2–2 3–1 2–1 1–4 1–3 2–1 3–2 4–1 3–0 3–0 2–0 3–1 0–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1
Port Vale 2–1 2–1 2–2 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–0 4–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–0 1–2 1–0 3–2 2–1
Rochdale 1–0 0–1 2–2 0–1 0–0 0–2 1–2 3–2 0–0 4–1 0–0 0–6 0–0 0–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–0
Rotherham United 2–7 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–4 2–3 1–0 7–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–2 1–2 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–2
Scunthorpe United 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–2 0–1 1–2 0–3 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 1–5 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–0
Shrewsbury Town 0–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–2 0–2 2–0 3–2 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–1 2–3 3–2 1–1 4–2 1–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 1–0
Southend 2–2 0–1 1–1 4–0 0–0 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–1 3–1 5–0 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–1 3–0
Swansea City 1–0 2–2 2–3 2–1 0–2 2–1 2–1 6–2 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 2–3 0–1 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 1–3
Tranmere Rovers 0–0 1–1 1–1 6–2 1–1 4–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 2–2 2–0 0–1 2–0 2–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–0 4–0 1–0
Walsall 1–0 0–2 3–2 3–0 4–3 3–2 3–2 1–0 0–1 1–3 3–0 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–0 1–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 0–0
Watford 3–2 1–3 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 1–0 2–1 3–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 5–1 0–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–2
Wrexham 1–1 0–0 1–3 4–1 2–2 2–2 1–0 3–2 0–0 2–0 1–1 1–2 5–0 3–3 1–0 1–2 0–0 4–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 3–1
York City 0–0 1–0 0–1 0–1 0–0 1–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–2 0–1 3–1 2–1 2–0 3–0 4–1 0–0 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 Third Division London teams 1972–1973
Locations of the Football League Third Division teams 1972–1973

Fourth Division
Football League
Fourth Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsSouthport (1st title)
PromotedAldershot,
Cambridge United,
Hereford United
Failed re-electionNone
New club in the leagueHereford United
Matches played552
Goals scored1,347 (2.44 per match)
Top goalscorerFred Binney (Exeter City), 27 [3]

Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Southport (C, P) 46 17 4 2 40 19 9 6 8 31 29 1.479 62 Promoted to the Third Division
2 Hereford United[lower-alpha 1] (P) 46 18 4 1 39 12 5 8 10 17 26 1.474 58 Promoted to the Third Division
3 Cambridge United (P) 46 15 6 2 40 23 5 11 7 27 34 1.175 57
4 Aldershot (P) 46 14 6 3 33 14 8 6 9 27 24 1.579 56
5 Newport County 46 14 6 3 37 18 8 6 9 27 26 1.455 56
6 Mansfield Town 46 15 7 1 52 17 5 7 11 26 34 1.529 54 Qualified for 1973 Watney Cup[lower-alpha 2]
7 Reading 46 14 7 2 33 7 3 11 9 18 31 1.342 52
8 Exeter City 46 13 8 2 40 18 5 6 12 17 33 1.118 50
9 Gillingham 46 15 4 4 44 20 4 7 12 19 38 1.086 49
10 Lincoln City 46 12 7 4 38 27 4 9 10 26 30 1.123 48
11 Stockport County 46 14 7 2 38 18 4 5 14 15 35 1.000 48
12 Bury 46 11 7 5 37 19 3 11 9 21 32 1.137 46
13 Workington 46 15 7 1 44 20 2 5 16 15 41 0.967 46
14 Barnsley 46 9 8 6 32 24 5 8 10 26 36 0.967 44
15 Chester 46 11 6 6 40 19 3 9 11 21 33 1.173 43
16 Bradford City 46 12 6 5 42 25 4 5 14 19 40 0.938 43
17 Doncaster Rovers 46 10 8 5 28 19 5 4 14 21 39 0.845 42
18 Torquay United 46 8 10 5 23 17 4 7 12 21 30 0.936 41
19 Peterborough United 46 10 8 5 42 29 4 5 14 29 47 0.934 41 Qualified for 1973 Watney Cup[lower-alpha 2]
20 Hartlepool 46 8 10 5 17 15 4 7 12 17 34 0.694 41
21 Crewe Alexandra 46 7 8 8 18 23 2 10 11 20 38 0.623 36 Re-elected
22 Colchester United 46 8 8 7 36 28 2 3 18 12 48 0.632 31
23 Northampton Town 46 7 6 10 24 30 3 5 15 16 43 0.548 31
24 Darlington 46 5 9 9 28 41 2 6 15 14 44 0.494 29
Source: rsssf.com
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. New club in the league; elected from Southern League
  2. 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 BAR BRA BRY CAM CHE COL CRE DAR DON EXE GIL HAR HER LIN MAN NPC NOR PET REA SOU STP TOR WRK
Aldershot 0–2 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–0 3–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 0–0 0–1 0–2 3–0 2–1 1–0 2–2 2–0 2–1 2–0
Barnsley 0–2 1–2 0–1 3–1 0–0 4–0 2–2 0–2 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 0–0 4–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 3–2 0–0 0–1 1–3 0–0 1–0
Bradford City 1–0 3–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 3–0 2–2 7–0 4–3 4–0 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 2–2
Bury 1–2 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–1 1–0 5–0 2–1 2–1 1–1 3–0 0–4 1–0 0–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–1 1–2 0–0 3–0
Cambridge United 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–2 1–0 3–0 1–0 0–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 3–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–0 1–0
Chester 0–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–1 5–0 1–2 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 3–0 8–2 2–0 0–0 2–0 1–2 1–3
Colchester United 2–3 1–2 0–0 2–1 0–1 2–3 5–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–0 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–1 1–1
Crewe Alexandra 0–2 1–0 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 2–1 1–1 0–4 0–0 1–0 0–2 0–0 0–2 0–1 1–1 2–0
Darlington 1–4 0–0 1–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 2–1 3–1 0–1 0–0 2–3 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 2–3 0–0 2–2 0–2 0–7 2–0 0–3 2–1
Doncaster Rovers 1–0 0–0 1–0 4–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–2 2–0 5–1 0–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–5 3–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–0 1–1
Exeter City 1–0 2–1 5–1 1–1 3–1 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–0 4–2 0–0 4–1 1–1 0–0 0–1 3–0 3–2 4–2
Gillingham 1–2 5–1 4–2 2–2 1–2 1–0 2–1 3–2 4–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–3 2–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 1–1 0–2
Hartlepool 1–1 1–4 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–2 0–2 0–0 1–0 1–0
Hereford United 1–0 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 4–1 1–0 1–0 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–0 3–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 0–0
Lincoln City 0–2 1–2 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–1 2–2 1–0 1–2 4–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 3–1 5–3 3–1 1–1
Mansfield Town 2–0 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 4–1 1–1 5–1 5–0 0–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–0 1–0 4–2 1–1 3–3 1–0 2–1 4–0
Newport County 2–1 1–1 0–0 4–3 0–2 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–0 5–1 5–1 0–1 2–2 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 3–1 1–0 2–1 2–0
Northampton Town 0–2 2–2 1–2 0–1 2–2 1–0 4–0 1–0 2–2 0–2 1–2 2–1 3–1 0–4 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–3 1–1 0–1 1–1 0–2 1–0
Peterborough United 1–0 6–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 4–3 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 1–0 1–0 1–2 4–2 0–1 2–3 0–1 2–1
Reading 0–0 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 0–1 1–1 2–0 5–0 3–0 2–0 1–1 0–0 3–0 2–0
Southport 3–1 1–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 3–2 1–0 2–0 2–1 2–2 1–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–1 4–1 1–0 2–1 2–1
Stockport County 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–0 2–2 2–1 2–0 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–0 2–3 0–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 0–0 3–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–0
Torquay United 1–1 0–0 1–2 0–1 1–2 1–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 0–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 2–2 2–0 0–0 3–0
Workington 2–1 3–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–3 2–0 3–2 3–0 2–2 0–0 2–0 2–0 2–2
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 1972–1973

See also

References
    1. "England 1972–73". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 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. "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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