1981–82 Leeds United A.F.C. season
# 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.

## 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 | Teamvte | 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 | Relegation to the Second Division |
| 22 | Middlesbrough (R) | 42 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 52 | −18 | 39 | Relegation to the Second Division |

## 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
