ceredigion Posted 14 April 2014 Share Posted 14 April 2014 You have to be a City fan of a certain age to remember this season, as it's now 34 years ago, but it was the last occasion when Leicester were promoted to the top flight as Champions. Buoyed by this success the year before, Jock Wallace had boldly announced his intention, when asked where he wanted City to finish, of winning the League. And indeed City managed some highly impressive results that season. A league double over the champions Liverpool ending their three year unbeaten run at Anfield, a league double over Tottenham, as well as doubles over Wolves and Birmingham, and memorable home wins over Man Utd, Arsenal and Leeds along the way. There was even talk of signing Johann Cruyff at one point. The season ended on a high note too as Jim Melrose scored a last-day hat-trick in a 3-2 win at Carrow Road, a result which sent Norwich down. So where you might ask, after all those highlights, did City finish that season. The answer I'm afraid is below Norwich. We finished 21st out of 22 teams and went down with them and Crystal Palace. For those of us who were fans at the time, the 1980/81 season must go down as one of the most disappointing ever. We had come up as champions under a charismatic and inspirational manager. We ended up being relegated with 3 matches to play and were the only promoted team to go back down. And the season's low point didn't even come in the league. That was in the FA Cup on a frosty January night in Devon when Fourth Division Exeter City turfed us out 3-1 in a replay, having held us 1-1 at Filbert Street a few days earlier. The only consolation was that at least they weren't a non-league side, like Harlow the year before. Could history repeat itself? Only time will tell, but I sincerely hope not having been there to see it first time round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Istilllovefilbert Posted 14 April 2014 Share Posted 14 April 2014 The Prem is a total different kettle of fish nowadays. Bottom half of the PL do not win as they used to. If we got the same amount of wins/draws next year as back then, we would have 45 points, which as a rule of thumb would see you safe today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col city fan Posted 14 April 2014 Share Posted 14 April 2014 That was the first City side I started watching. Wallace was a character! And Melrose was a grand striker. Takes me back a bit that does.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceredigion Posted 14 April 2014 Author Share Posted 14 April 2014 The Prem is a total different kettle of fish nowadays. Bottom half of the PL do not win as they used to. If we got the same amount of wins/draws next year as back then, we would have 45 points, which as a rule of thumb would see you safe today. City won 13 league matches that season. It does seem incredible now that you could win that number of games and finish 2nd from bottom. You're right to say we would have 45 points under the 3 points for a win system (it was only 2 points back then), but that was in a 42 game league, not a 38 game one. However, under 3 points for a win we were averaging above a point a game in 80/81 which would almost certainly keep us up today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pSinatra Posted 14 April 2014 Share Posted 14 April 2014 You think losing to Exeter in the cup is bad..........we lost to Harlow Town the season before!! The year we were champions of the old 2nd Division was my very first season. My Dad knew a few of the players & Dennis Rofe was our next-door-neighbour. Me & the old man had season tickets in the Members Stand (on the cheap) sold to us by one the club's apprentices for a bit of pocket money. I never knew how good I had it. Brilliant seats, winning the league, Gary Lineker & the possibilty of Cruyff. Man Utd were crap in them days, but Liverpool were probably the greatest club team I have ever seen & we did the double over them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceredigion Posted 14 April 2014 Author Share Posted 14 April 2014 You think losing to Exeter in the cup is bad..........we lost to Harlow Town the season before!! The year we were champions of the old 2nd Division was my very first season. My Dad knew a few of the players & Dennis Rofe was our next-door-neighbour. Me & the old man had season tickets in the Members Stand (on the cheap) sold to us by one the club's apprentices for a bit of pocket money. I never knew how good I had it. Brilliant seats, winning the league, Gary Lineker & the possibilty of Cruyff. Man Utd were crap in them days, but Liverpool were probably the greatest club team I have ever seen & we did the double over them That season's double over Liverpool remains one of my finest memories as a City fan. Liverpool were the reigning league champions at the time and they won the League Cup and the European Cup in 1980/81. We beat them 2-0 at Filbert Street in the 3rd match of the season in front of a crowd of over 28,000, possibly the last time Filbert Street had a crowd of that size. Goals from Martin Henderson and Andy Peake, the latter being one of the goals of the season. Then in January '81 we went to Anfield for the return. Nobody gave us a prayer. We were bottom and Liverpool were top. They hadn't lost a League, FA Cup, League Cup or European match at Anfield for over 3 years, a run of over 90 matches unbeaten at home. We were 1-0 down at half-time but Pat Byrne and then Jim Melrose scored in front of the Kop to give us an astonishing victory. I was at both matches as a 13 year-old and I don't think I've ever felt prouder to be a City fan than after that game at Anfield. The Saturday after in our next game we beat Man Utd 1-0 at Filbert Street, with Jim Melrose scoring again. Will we ever see that happen again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen 3 Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 I was at most games that season, the one before, and the one after... Harlow was teriible but I remember their support as it did them proud! If there is one lesson I take from that yo-yo three years it's this: the team that gets you up isn't the one that will keep you there. We need to spend what we can to bring in the best we can afford, why? Because every other team will be doing that. If there's one perfect example of this from that time it is Chelsea. They were terrible then, had a pretty nasty following, and a crumbling ground. They sold their souls to the devil alright but look at the club now. I'm not saying I like it that way it's just how you have to compete. Of course you need to spend wisely and money doesn't guarantee success (look at Sunderland) but football is about winning and the quicker we get the right players we need to compete in the top-flight the better, I don't want to be going to the likes of Yeovil again in 30 months time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylofox Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 That season's double over Liverpool remains one of my finest memories as a City fan. Liverpool were the reigning league champions at the time and they won the League Cup and the European Cup in 1980/81. We beat them 2-0 at Filbert Street in the 3rd match of the season in front of a crowd of over 28,000, possibly the last time Filbert Street had a crowd of that size. Goals from Martin Henderson and Andy Peake, the latter being one of the goals of the season. Then in January '81 we went to Anfield for the return. Nobody gave us a prayer. We were bottom and Liverpool were top. They hadn't lost a League, FA Cup, League Cup or European match at Anfield for over 3 years, a run of over 90 matches unbeaten at home. We were 1-0 down at half-time but Pat Byrne and then Jim Melrose scored in front of the Kop to give us an astonishing victory. I was at both matches as a 13 year-old and I don't think I've ever felt prouder to be a City fan than after that game at Anfield. The Saturday after in our next game we beat Man Utd 1-0 at Filbert Street, with Jim Melrose scoring again. Will we ever see that happen again? Alan young scored for liverpool. At the end of the game the kop sang You'll Never Walk Alone to the city players as a mark of respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceredigion Posted 15 April 2014 Author Share Posted 15 April 2014 Alan young scored for liverpool. At the end of the game the kop sang You'll Never Walk Alone to the city players as a mark of respect. You're quite right there. In the 70s and 80s we had something of a reputation as Liverpool's bogey team. I certainly saw us beat Liverpool a few times in that era. It was a reputation we regained for a while under MoN, when we won 3 years running at Anfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetstonefox Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 Typical city, do thé double over thé existing league champions and still get relegated. wonder if we had stayed up that season would we have pushed on with Jock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceredigion Posted 15 April 2014 Author Share Posted 15 April 2014 Typical city, do thé double over thé existing league champions and still get relegated. wonder if we had stayed up that season would we have pushed on with Jock. It's an interesting thought, but to be honest, much as I liked and admired Jock, I think he lacked the tactical nous and the astuteness in the transfer market to compete at that level. He was up against managers like Paisley, Clough, Robson, Atkinson, Lyell, Saunders etc. Winning trebles with Rangers in Scotland was one thing but England was a much tougher nut. Jock Stein came south from Celtic at much the same time to manage Leeds and he didn't pull up any trees either and Leeds were a huge club still then. I suppose the only manager to come down from Scotland and succeed in England was Ferguson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairman of the Bored Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 Norwich away was brilliant. Massive away following as I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairman of the Bored Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 It's an interesting thought, but to be honest, much as I liked and admired Jock, I think he lacked the tactical nous and the astuteness in the transfer market to compete at that level. He was up against managers like Paisley, Clough, Robson, Atkinson, Lyell, Saunders etc. Winning trebles with Rangers in Scotland was one thing but England was a much tougher nut. Jock Stein came south from Celtic at much the same time to manage Leeds and he didn't pull up any trees either and Leeds were a huge club still then. I suppose the only manager to come down from Scotland and succeed in England was Ferguson. I think you'll find Bill Shankley was Scottish and he did pretty well. Craig Levein succeeded in failure, does that count? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bss9401 Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 That season's double over Liverpool remains one of my finest memories as a City fan. Liverpool were the reigning league champions at the time and they won the League Cup and the European Cup in 1980/81. We beat them 2-0 at Filbert Street in the 3rd match of the season in front of a crowd of over 28,000, possibly the last time Filbert Street had a crowd of that size. Goals from Martin Henderson and Andy Peake, the latter being one of the goals of the season. Then in January '81 we went to Anfield for the return. Nobody gave us a prayer. We were bottom and Liverpool were top. They hadn't lost a League, FA Cup, League Cup or European match at Anfield for over 3 years, a run of over 90 matches unbeaten at home. We were 1-0 down at half-time but Pat Byrne and then Jim Melrose scored in front of the Kop to give us an astonishing victory. I was at both matches as a 13 year-old and I don't think I've ever felt prouder to be a City fan than after that game at Anfield. The Saturday after in our next game we beat Man Utd 1-0 at Filbert Street, with Jim Melrose scoring again. Will we ever see that happen again? I went to the Anfield win. I don't think that I have ever been more proud after going to a game either. It truly was massive. I went to most of the games in those 2 seasons and loved it. I was 13/14 and they were my first real experiences of promotion and top flight football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceredigion Posted 15 April 2014 Author Share Posted 15 April 2014 I think you'll find Bill Shankley was Scottish and he did pretty well. Craig Levein succeeded in failure, does that count? That isn't what I meant. Bill Shankly probably spent his entire football career or the vast majority of it anyway,as player and manager in England. By contrast Ferguson played exclusively in Scotland and began his managing there too. So Shankly didn't start his management career north of the border and succeed down south. Of course there have been loads of Scottish managers who have done well in England, but they are the ones who came south as players and never went back. Ferguson is the exception to the rule. Levein, as you say, is more the norm. It will be interesting to see how Neil Lennon fares if he ever comes to the PL/Championship. Although I suppose he is not a Scottish manager, just a manager in Scotland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karljohn Posted 15 April 2014 Share Posted 15 April 2014 My first ever city game was v wba at filbert st in January 81, lost 2-0 to a good Albion side in those days. Cannot remember much about it as a 6 and a half year old but remember Lineker playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veezeeblue Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 great time even so I was a regular in the kop between 79 n 82 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Weasel Fox Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 That was the first City side I started watching. Wallace was a character! And Melrose was a grand striker. Takes me back a bit that does.. Me too Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylofox Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 You're quite right there. In the 70s and 80s we had something of a reputation as Liverpool's bogey team. I certainly saw us beat Liverpool a few times in that era. It was a reputation we regained for a while under MoN, when we won 3 years running at Anfield. Was at the game. My time as a hard core fan home and away every week. Even under Pleat and we have never played so bad for so long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantiagoFox Posted 17 April 2014 Share Posted 17 April 2014 Norwich away was brilliant. Massive away following as I recall. I went on the olde football special with about 800 others. Not bad considering we were already relegated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopFox2011 Posted 17 April 2014 Share Posted 17 April 2014 City vs Liverpool 1980 I was 12 and standing outside filbo with my mate (Liverpool Fan) with only a few pence between us, just wanted to be there for the atmosphere. We had a 6 mile walk to get there and back as we couldn't afford the bus fare (starting to sound like tony capsticks now). Anyway at half time one of those big blue doors opened and a guy said do you want to come in, silly question! We both squeezed in the packed ground and that was my first experience as a proper Leicester fan, my mate was gutted with the result but I had caught the bug and have either watched or listened to virtually every city game since that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushden fox Posted 17 April 2014 Share Posted 17 April 2014 That season's double over Liverpool remains one of my finest memories as a City fan. Liverpool were the reigning league champions at the time and they won the League Cup and the European Cup in 1980/81. We beat them 2-0 at Filbert Street in the 3rd match of the season in front of a crowd of over 28,000, possibly the last time Filbert Street had a crowd of that size. Goals from Martin Henderson and Andy Peake, the latter being one of the goals of the season. Then in January '81 we went to Anfield for the return. Nobody gave us a prayer. We were bottom and Liverpool were top. They hadn't lost a League, FA Cup, League Cup or European match at Anfield for over 3 years, a run of over 90 matches unbeaten at home. We were 1-0 down at half-time but Pat Byrne and then Jim Melrose scored in front of the Kop to give us an astonishing victory. I was at both matches as a 13 year-old and I don't think I've ever felt prouder to be a City fan than after that game at Anfield. The Saturday after in our next game we beat Man Utd 1-0 at Filbert Street, with Jim Melrose scoring again. Will we ever see that happen again? We we're already relegated..ahh what memories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpTheLeagueFox Posted 17 April 2014 Share Posted 17 April 2014 First game - home to ManU, Feb 81 - City won 1-0 with Melrose getting the winner. To my shame I was a Liverpool fan until I was about 15 - repeated visits to Filbo dripped into my bloodstream and it's been LCFC all the way since then! Rather than being brainwashed by a Leicester City parent, the process of supporting my hometown team was a steady, organic one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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