1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season

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

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

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

Main article: 1981–82 Football League § First Division

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

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

• 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