1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season

The 1981–82 season was Leeds United A.F.C.'s 63rd season in their history, and their 18th consecutive season in the Football League First Division.

Leeds United
1981–82 season
ManagerAllan Clarke
StadiumElland Road
First Division20th (relegated)
FA CupFourth round
League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Graham
Worthington (9)

All: Graham
Worthington (9)
Average home league attendance21,889

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, 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

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. 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. 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. 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

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