The Football League 1991-92

Statistics of The Football League in season 1991/1992.

Overview

= First Division =

The last-ever league championship before the creation of the Premier League was won by Leeds United who overhauled Manchester United thanks to the efforts of players like Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman, David Batty and Gary McAllister. After runners-up United came newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday, who were quickly emerging as one of the most feared sides in England.

Defending champions Arsenal slipped to fourth place in the 1991-92 season and never made a serious threat to retain their title. The previous season's runners-up Liverpool slipped to sixth in their first full season under the management of Graeme Souness.

Newly promoted West Ham United were relegated in bottom place, with another newly promoted side - Notts County - following days later. The last day of the season saw Luton Town lose their top flight status after 10 seasons.

= Second Division =

John Lyall took Ipswich Town back to the First Division after a six-year absence for the Suffolk club. The Tractor Boys were followed up by runners-up Middlesbrough, but it was playoff winners Blackburn Rovers whose promotion made the biggest headlines. Bankrolled by millionaire chairman Jack Walker and managed by former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, Rovers beat Leicester 1-0 in the playoff final to end a 26-year exile from the top flight.

The Second Division relegation places were occupied by Port Vale, Plymouth Argyle and Brighton & Hove Albion - the latter team had been playoff losing finalists just 12 months before going down, but their fortunes had been ruined by financial problems.

= Third Division =

New manager Phil Holder guided Brentford to a surprise Third Division championship success, while Terry Cooper's Birmingham occupied runners-up spot and the playoffs were won by Chris Turner's Peterborough United.

The Third Division drop zone was occupied by Shrewsbury Town, Bury, Torquay United and Darlington.

= Fourth Division =

Burnley won the Fourth Division title to join Wolverhampton Wanderers as champions of all four divisions of the Football League. Also going up were Rotherham United, Mansfield Town and play-off winners Blackpool.

On 25 March 1992, Aldershot were declared bankrupt and obliged to resign from the Football League - their record was expunged. There was no relegation from the Football League in 1991-92. Carlisle United finished bottom, and Conference champions Colchester United returned to the league after a two-year absence.

League Standings

=First Division=

=Fourth Division=

ee also

*1991-92 in English football

References