1970–71 Football League


The 1970–71 season was the 72nd completed season of The Football League.
Arsenal won the league championship at the home of their bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, with Ray Kennedy scoring the winner. This would soon be followed by their FA Cup final tie with Liverpool. They narrowly overcame Leeds to win the league, with a 12-point gap separating Leeds United from third-placed Tottenham. Wolves and Liverpool joined these two teams in the UEFA Cup. Chelsea missed out on the top five on goal average but compensated for this shortcoming by achieving European Cup Winners' Cup glory over Real Madrid.
Burnley and Blackpool were relegated to the Second Division. Burnley returned from 1973/74 to 1975/76 but it took Blackpool until the 2009–10 season to regain their top flight status after a 3–2 victory over Cardiff City in the Playoff Final.
Wilf McGuinness was sacked after 18 unsuccessful months as manager of Manchester United. Sir Matt Busby was re-appointed as manager on a temporary basis, but never considered returning to his old job on a permanent basis. Leicester City manager Frank O'Farrell was appointed at the end of the season.
Leicester City and Sheffield United were promoted to the First Division. Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, two of the most famous and historic names in English football, were relegated to the Third Division.
Preston North End and Fulham finally had something to shout about by getting promoted to the Second Division. Halifax Town achieved its best ever league position, missing out on the Second Division by one place. Reading, Bury, Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham slid into the Fourth Division.
Notts County, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Oldham Athletic and York City were promoted to the Third Division. The Football League voted for the league's four bottom clubs to maintain their status.

Final league tables and results

Beginning with the season 1894–95, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average, 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 goal average was used for this purpose for such a long time, it is presented in the tables below even for the seasons prior to 1894–95, and since the goal difference is a more informative piece of information for a modern reader than the goal average, the goal difference is added in this presentation after the goal average.
During the first five seasons of the league, that is, until the season 1893–94, re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. From the 1922–23 season on it was required of the bottom two teams of both Third Division North and Third Division South. Since the Fourth Division was established in the 1958–59 season, the re-election process has concerned the bottom four clubs in that division.

First Division

Results

Maps

Top scorers

Goalscorers are listed order of total goals, then according to the number of league goals, then of FA cup goals, then of League Cup goals. A dash means the team of the player in question did not participate in European competitions.
RankScorerClubLeague goalsFA Cup goalsLeague Cup goalsTexaco Cup goalsEuro competitionsTotal
1 Martin Chivers Tottenham21175—34
2 Tony BrownWest Bromwich Albion28200—30
3 Ray KennedyArsenal1922—326
4 Bobby GouldWolverhampton Wanderers17205—24
5 Allan ClarkeLeeds United1910—323
6 Joe RoyleEverton1720—423
7 Ian Storey-MooreNottingham Forest18211—22
8 George BestManchester United1812——21
9 Ron DaviesSouthampton1740—021
10 John RadfordArsenal1521—321
11 Mick ChannonSouthampton1811—020
12 Hugh CurranWolverhampton Wanderers16004—20
13 Francis LeeManchester City1401—419
14 Colin BellManchester City1340—219
15 John ToshackLiverpool / Cardiff City5 + 810—0 + 519
16 Peter LorimerLeeds United1220—519
17 Martin PetersTottenham9244—19
18 John RitchieStoke13400—17
19 Alan GilzeanTottenham9440—17
20 Denis LawManchester United1501——16
= Geoff HurstWest Ham1501——16
22 Johnny GilesLeeds United1320—116
23 Jeff AstleWest Bromwich Albion13110—15
= John O’HareDerby County1311——15
25 Alun EvansLiverpool1011—315
26 John TudorNewcastle / Sheffield United5 + 900—014
27 Keith WellerChelsea1301—014
28 Terry ConroyStoke11210—14
29 George GrahamArsenal1111—114
30 Neil MartinCoventry / Nottingham Forest1 + 9200214
31 Pop RobsonNewcastle / West Ham3 + 90 + 10—013
32 Derek DouganWolverhampton Wanderers12001—13
33 Alan BirchenallCrystal Palace1012——13
34 Ernie HuntCoventry1011—113
35 Brian KiddManchester United805——13
36 Kevin HectorDerby County1101——12
37/ Colin ViljoenIpswich Town1020——12
38 Alan HintonDerby County1011——12
39 Gerry QueenCrystal Palace903——12
40 Peter CormackNottingham Forest8112—12
41 Frank WorthingtonHuddersfield920——11
42 Micky BurnsBlackpool1000——10
43 Frank James ClarkeIpswich Town820——10
44 Jimmy GreenhoffStoke7300—10
45 Charlie GeorgeArsenal550—010

Second Division

Results

Maps

Top scorers

Goalscorers are listed order of total goals, then according to the number of league goals, then of FA cup goals, then of League Cup goals. A dash means the team of the player in question did not participate in European competitions.
for First Division topscorers by Rothmans. The other 9 goals were distributed between six other players, none of whom made this listing.
RankScorerClubLeague goalsFA Cup goalsLeague Cup goalsTotal
1 Malcolm MacdonaldLuton Town244230
2 John Hickton Middlesbrough250227
3 Bob HattonCarlisle United182424
4 Chris ChiltonHull212023
5 Rodney MarshQueens Park Rangers211123
6 Phil SummerillBirmingham City161421
7 Don RogersSwindon Town160420
8 Alan WarboysCardiff City /
Sheffield Wednesday		13 + 60019
9 Barry BridgesMillwall /
Queens Park Rangers		15 + 200 + 118
10 Alistair BrownLeicester City152017
11 Ken FoggoNorwich City151117
12 Derek PosseeMillwall141217
13 Peter SilversterNorwich City150116
14 David WatsonSunderland /
Rotherham		4 + 90 + 3016
15 Ron WiggWatford132116
16 Ken WagstaffHull City124016
17 Alan WoodwardSheffield United150015
= Mick PrendergastSheffield Wednesday150015
= Trevor FrancisBirmingham City150015
= Brian ClarkCardiff City150015
21 Peter NobleSwindon Town141015
22 Hughie McIlmoyleMiddlesbrough131115
23 Bill DeardenSheffield United140014
24 Ray HironPortsmouth131014
25 Arthur HorsfieldSwindon Town111214
26 Bob LatchfordBirmingham City130013
27 Bobby OwenCarlisle United112013
28 Derrick DowningMiddlesbrough111113
29 Don GivensLuton Town110213
30 Malcolm PartridgeLeicester City /
Mansfield		3 + 33413
31 John GalleyBristol City120012
32 Dennis MartinCarlisle United101112
33 Terry VenablesQueens Park Rangers100111
34 John FarringtonLeicester City80311
= Chris GarlandBristol City80311
36 Joe BakerSunderland100010
= Harry CrippsMillwall100010
38 Tony CurrieSheffield United90110
= Bobby KerrSunderland90110
40 Mike TrebilcockPortsmouth82010

Third Division

Results

Maps

Top scorers

Goalscorers are listed order of total goals, then according to the number of league goals, then of FA cup goals, then of League Cup goals. A dash means the team of the player in question did not participate in European competitions.
RankScorerClubLeague goalsFA Cup goalsLeague Cup goalsTotal
1 Dave Gwyther Swansea City187227
2 Dudley RobertsMansfield Town221124
3 Gerry IngramPreston North End220224
4 John RudgeTorquay United182121
5 George AndrewsShrewsbury Town182020
6 Ernie MossChesterfield163120
7 Kevin RandallChesterfield190019
8 George JonesBury181019
9 Bill AtkinsHalifax Town180119
10 Robin StubbsBristol Rovers171119
11 Bruce BannisterBradford City163019
12 Albert KinseyWrexham160117
13 Les BarrettFulham150217
14 John JamesPort Vale150015
15 Reg JenkinsRochdale130215
= Steve EarleFulham130215
17 John StensonMansfield Town121215
18 Ray GraydonBristol Rovers130114
= Arfon GriffithsWrexham130114
20 Alf ArrowsmithRochdale122014
21 Gordon CummingReading113014
22 Colin TaylorWalsall130013
23 Harold JarmanBristol Rovers121013
= Dick HabbinReading121013
25 Bobby HamPreston North End /
Bradford City		10 + 200 + 113
26 Kit NapierBrighton & Hove Albion112013
27 Tom WhiteBury111113
28 Ken BeamishTranmere Rovers100313
29 Andy LochheadAston Villa90413
30 Mike GreenGillingham111012
31 Alf WoodShrewsbury Town110112
32 Ian HamiltonAston Villa90312
33 Pat McMahonAston Villa80412
34 Dave LennardHalifax Town110011
= Don HutchinsPlymouth Argyle110011
36 George JohnstonFulham /
Walsall		9 + 11011
37 Geoff VowdenAston Villa /
Birmingham City		5 + 300 + 311
38 Ronnie MooreTranmere Rovers100010
= Brian YeoGillingham100010
40 David CrossRochdale91010
= Neil HagueRotherham United91010
42 Leslie LeaBarnsley91010
43 Steve BriggsDoncaster Rovers90110
= Keith BrierleyHalifax Town90110
45 Brian EvansSwansea City73010

Fourth Division

Results

Maps

Top scorers

Goalscorers are listed order of total goals, then according to the number of league goals, then of FA cup goals, then of League Cup goals. A dash means the team of the player in question did not participate in European competitions.
RankScorerClubLeague goalsFA Cup goalsLeague Cup goalsTotal
1 Ted MacDougallBournemouth & Boscombe Athletic427049
2 Ray CrawfordColchester United257032
3 Paul AimsonYork City265031
4 Jim FryattOldham240226
5 Jack HowarthAldershot213125
6 Phil BoyerBournemouth /
York City		11 + 90 + 10 + 324
7 David ShawOldham230023
8 Tony HateleyNotts County221023
9 Pat MorrisseyCrewe Alexandra201122
10 Billy BestSouthend193022
11 Alan BanksExeter City210021
12 Phil HubbardLincoln City181019
13 Joe GadstonExeter City180119
14 Colin GarwoodPeterborough United171018
= Alan HardingDarlington171018
16 John FairbrotherNorthampton Town151218
17 Bobby SvarcLincoln City /
Barrow		11 + 34018
18 Ivan HollettCambridge United /
Crewe Alexandra		11 + 60017
19 Alan TarbuckChester161017
= Sammy McMillanStockport161017
= Eddie LoydenChester161017
22 Bobby RossBrentford151016
23 Allan GaudenDarlington132116
24 Derek TrevisLincoln City131216
25 Percy FreemanLincoln City104216
26 Dennis BrownAldershot141015
= Roger CrossBrentford141015
28 Fred LargeNorthampton Town140115
29 Willie BrownNewport County130215
30 Don MassonNotts County140014
= Eddie GarbettBarrow140014
32 Alan McNeillOldham131014
= Kevin McMahonYork City131014
= Peter GrahamDarlington131014
= Stan BowlesCrewe Alexandra131014
36 Richie BarkerNotts County130013
37 Bob MossPeterborough United112013
38 John DochertyBrentford103013
39 Tommy RobsonPeterborough United120012
= Eric RedrobeSouthport120012
41 Nigel CassidyOxford /
Scunthorpe & Lindsey		4 + 71012
42 Charlie CrickmoreNotts County102012
43 Bill GarnerSouthend United84012
44 Les BraddNotts County110011
= Terry HeathScunthorpe & Lindsey110011
= Jim IrvineBarrow110011
= Matt TeesGrimsby Town /
Luton Town		9 + 20011
48 Jim HallPeterborough United101011
= Keith WebberChester101011
50 Tommy BrycelandOldham100111
= Kevin KeeganScunthorpe & Lindsey100111
52 Stuart BraceGrimsby Town100010
= Alan BradshawCrewe Alexandra100010
54 Rod JonesNewport County91010
= Eddie RowlesBournemouth & Boscombe Athletic91010
56 Keith BebbingtonOldham90110
57 Tommy SprattWorkington82010