England II Division

 

Second Division – as ever, the only Second Division in the world attracting international interest. So many well known clubs, some of them quite recently successful and even playing international football. Not just weel respected players were found in second league, but even famous names – Trevor Brooking was playing there.

Charlton Athletic finished last with 22 points – a miserable season, in which the team was the league’s outsider. They finished 5 points behind the next to last.

Burnley settled at the 21st place with 27 points. Once upon a time, Burnley was to feared – now, they were going to taste 3rd Division football.

With 29 points, Fulham ended 20th – the third relegated team. It was not that long ago they almost won the FA Cup – in 1975. Now not only going down, but were among the pariahs of the league – the three clubs at the bottom of the table were well bellow anybody else: Bristol Rovers, 19th, finished with 36 points – 7 more than Fulham.

Four clubs should be mentioned for one reason only: it was surprising to see them in this league. Less so Newcastle United, for they had not been impressive for many years.

9th this season. Seemingly, Newcastle was going to stay in Second Division for awhile.

QPR was 5th, but not really in the race for promotion. It was only a few years ago when they were arguably the most exciting and promising English team. They lost the 1975-76 championship by a single point… and now: second division members.

Chelsea ended 4th , 4 points ahead of QPR, and losing promotion on worse goal-difference.

Going down lately… relegated in 1974-75, promoted in 1976-77, relegated again in 1978-79, and missing promotion in 1979-80. Chelsea had financial troubles and they were escalating.

West Ham United finished 7th their second season in Second Division. Not much… nothing, really.

Just imagine – Trevor Brooking, one of the top English and European players, struggling in Second Division. With seemingly not bad team-mates: Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard, Phil Parkes, Paul Allen, David Cross, Jimmy Neighbour… Perhaps rebuilding started too late, but the reason was most likely different: the late 1970s were tough times for the London clubs. QPR, Chelsea, Fulham, Charlton… Three clubs were in First Division, but Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace played in the second level a year or two ago. London was down. However, West Ham United still had teeth. A teeth seen only in England.

The battle for the top spots was fierce – 4 clubs competed for 3 promotional spots. Chelsea lost on goal-difference. Birmingham City elbowed Chelsea and took the 3rd place – and the last promotion.

Birmingham was just relegated and going back to First Division was great. However, Birmingham had modest decade in top flight, mostly trying to survive and this vintage was no more promising. Don Givens and Archie Gemill were the stars, but both already reached their peak a few years back. Pat van den Haowe was Dutch import, alas, one of the unknown Dutch players. Birmingham City was more lucky than strong. With 53 points, they ended 2 points behind the champions – it could have been them on top, but reality was still different: not an up and coming team.

Sunderland finished with 54 points and second. Sunderland spent most of the 1970s in Second Division – they were promoted in 1975-76, only to be relegated the next season. Now – going up again.

Like Birmingham, nothing much. Sturdy team, no big stars. Going up meant largely trying to stay there and no more.

Leicester City won the championship with 55 points. Relegated in 1977-78, they were eager to play first division football again. Difficult victory, but there was England – no big favourites, tough chase instead. Trophies count, so Leicester was a second division champion, but champion.

Leicester City was much stronger during the 70-s than its companions Sunderland and Birmingham City, but not anymore. Compared to the wonderful team of the first half of the 70-s, this vintage was rather weak. Similar to the other two promoted clubs and therefore not expected to play big role in the highest league. But there was one young player, who very soon will be a big world-famous star: Garry Lineker. So far unknown, but going up anyway – or so it looked like at the end of 1979-80 season.