1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season

The 1981–82 season was Leeds United's eighteenth consecutive season in the Football League First Division, where they were relegated.

Leeds United

1981–82 season
Chairman	Manny Cussins
Manager	Allan Clarke
Stadium	Elland Road
First Division	20th (relegated)
FA Cup	Fourth round
League Cup	Second round
Top goalscorer	League: Arthur Graham Frank Worthington (9 each) All: Arthur Graham Frank Worthington (9 each)
Highest home attendance	33,689 vs Liverpool (6 February 1982, First Division)
Lowest home attendance	16,385 vs Coventry City (16 April 1990, First Division)
Average home league attendance	21,889
← 1980–81 1982–83 →

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. A 2-1 victory over Brighton on the final Saturday meant that Leeds needed to win at fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion three days later to stay up and relegate the West Midlands team, but the match ended 2-0 to the home team. 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

Main article: 1981–82 Football League § First Division

Pos	Team v t e	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; some limited exceptions apply. 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; some limited exceptions apply. 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; some limited exceptions apply. 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

• Neil Parker - 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