1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season

Leeds United

1981–82 season
Manager	Allan Clarke
Stadium	Elland Road
First Division	20th (relegated)
FA Cup	Fourth round
League Cup	Second round
Top goalscorer	League: Graham Worthington (9) All: Graham Worthington (9)
Average home league attendance	21,889
← 1980–81  →

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.

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 v t	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	42	10	12	20	39	61	−22	42	Relegated
21	Wolverhampton Wanderers	42	10	10	22	32	63	−31	40
22	Middlesbrough	42	8	15	19	34	52	−18	39

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 — 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[]

• Frank Gray - Nottingham Forest, 31 May, £300,000
• Peter Barnes - West Bromwich Albion, 1 August, £930,000
• Kenny Burns - Nottingham Forest, 14 October, £400,000
• John Sheridan - Manchester City, 2 March
• Frank Worthington - Birmingham City, 8 March, swap

Out[]

• - Scarborough, 1 July, free
• Jeff Chandler - Bolton Wanderers, 1 October, £40,000
• Tony Arins - Scunthorpe United, 1 November, free
• Keith Parkinson - Doncaster Rovers, 1 January, free
• Alejandro Sabella - Estudiantes, 1 January, £120,000
• Byron Stevenson - Birmingham City, 1 March, swap

Transfers in: £1,630,000

Transfers out: £160,000

Total spending: £1,470,000

Loaned out[]

• Keith Parkinson - Hull City, 1 November
• Neil Firm - Oldham Athletic, 1 March
• Brian Flynn - Burnley, 4 March

References[]