1972–73 Football League

The 1972–73 season was the 74th completed season of The Football League.

The Football League
Season1972–73
ChampionsLiverpool
New Club in LeagueHereford United

Liverpool cruised to another championship triumph in Bill Shankly's penultimate season as manager despite competition from Arsenal, Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Manchester United sacked manager Frank O'Farrell after 18 months in charge. He had been unable to mount a title challenge. Tommy Docherty, the 44-year-old Scottish national coach and former Aston Villa manager, was appointed as his successor.

Bobby Charlton and Denis Law both played their last games for the club while George Best's appearances were becoming increasingly rare.

Burnley and Queens Park Rangers won promotion to the First Division. Huddersfield Town's decline continued as they slid into the Third Division, where they were joined by Brighton & Hove Albion.

Bolton Wanderers and Notts County occupied the two promotion places in the Third Division. Rotherham United, Brentford, Swansea City and Scunthorpe United were relegated to the Fourth Division.

Hereford United were promoted from the Fourth Division in their first season as a Football League club. They had been elected to the Football League a year earlier after winning the Southern League and achieving a shock win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup. They were joined in the promotion zone by champions Southport, Cambridge United and Aldershot. Newport County missed promotion only on goal average. There were no arrivals or departures in the league for 1973.

Final league tables and results

The tables below are reproduced here in the exact form that they can be found at The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website[1] and in Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79,[2] with home and away statistics separated.

Beginning with the season 1894–95, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded), or more properly put, goal ratio. In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season.

Since the goal average was used for this purpose for such a long time, it is presented in the tables below even for the seasons prior to 1894–95, and since the goal difference is a more informative piece of information for a modern reader than the goal average, the goal difference is added in this presentation after the goal average.

During the first five seasons of the league, that is, until the season 1893–94, re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. From the 1922–23 season on it was required of the bottom two teams of both Third Division North and Third Division South. Since the Fourth Division was established in the 1958–59 season, the re-election process has concerned the bottom four clubs in that division.[2]

First Division
Football League
First Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsLiverpool (8th English title)
RelegatedCrystal Palace
West Bromwich Albion
1973–74 European CupLiverpool
FA Cup winners
1973–74 European Cup Winners' Cup		Sunderland (2nd Div.) (2nd FA Cup title)
1973–74 UEFA CupIpswich Town
Leeds United
Tottenham Hotspur
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Matches played462
Goals scored1,160 (2.51 per match)
Top goalscorerRobson (West Ham United), 28 [3]
Biggest home winLeeds – Arsenal 6–1 (9 Mar 1973)
Crystal Palace – Manchester United 5–0 (16 Oct 1972)
Derby – Arsenal 5–0 (25 Nov 1972)
Leeds – Derby 5–0 (7 Oct 1972)
Liverpool – Sheffield United 5–0 (23 Sep 1972)
Biggest away winWest Bromwich – Crystal Palace 0–4 (3 Mar 1973)
Highest scoringWolverhampton – Stoke 5–3 (30 Sep 1972)
Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GR Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Liverpool 42 17 3 1 45 19 8 7 6 27 23 1.714 60 European Cup
2 Arsenal 42 14 5 2 31 14 9 6 6 26 29 1.326 57[lower-alpha 1]
3 Leeds United 42 15 4 2 45 13 6 7 8 26 32 1.578 53 UEFA Cup
4 Ipswich Town 42 10 7 4 34 20 7 7 7 21 25 1.222 48
5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 13 3 5 43 23 5 8 8 23 31 1.222 47
6 West Ham United 42 12 5 4 45 25 5 7 9 22 28 1.264 46
7 Derby County 42 15 3 3 43 18 4 5 12 13 36 1.037 46
8 Tottenham Hotspur 42 10 5 6 33 23 6 8 7 25 25 1.208 45 UEFA Cup[lower-alpha 2]
9 Newcastle United 42 12 6 3 35 19 4 7 10 25 32 1.176 45
10 Birmingham City 42 11 7 3 39 22 4 5 12 14 32 0.981 42
11 Manchester City 42 12 4 5 36 20 3 7 11 21 40 0.950 41
12 Chelsea 42 9 6 6 30 22 4 8 9 19 29 0.961 40
13 Southampton 42 8 11 2 26 17 3 7 11 21 35 0.904 40
14 Sheffield United 42 11 4 6 28 18 4 6 11 23 41 0.864 40
15 Stoke City 42 11 8 2 38 17 3 2 16 23 39 1.089 38
16 Leicester City 42 7 9 5 23 18 3 8 10 17 28 0.870 37
17 Everton 42 9 5 7 27 21 4 6 11 14 28 0.837 37
18 Manchester United 42 9 7 5 24 19 3 6 12 20 41 0.733 37
19 Coventry City 42 9 5 7 27 24 4 4 13 13 31 0.727 35
20 Norwich City 42 7 9 5 22 19 4 1 16 14 44 0.571 32
21 Crystal Palace 42 7 7 7 25 21 2 5 14 16 37 0.707 30 Relegated
22 West Bromwich Albion 42 8 7 6 25 24 1 3 17 13 38 0.613 28
Source:
Notes:
  1. Tottenham Hotspur qualified for the 1973–74 UEFA Cup as League cup winners. At the time, only one club per English city could enter the UEFA Cup; thus, fellow
    London club Arsenal were excluded in spite of finishing second in the League. This rule had applied in all countries in the Fairs Cup, but it was the Football League, not UEFA,
    which continued to apply it in England in the UEFA Cup.[4]
  2. Tottenham Hotspur qualified for the 1973–74 UEFA Cup as League Cup winners.

Results
Home \ Away ARS BIR CHE COV CRY DER EVE IPS LEE LEI LIV MCI MUN NEW NWC SHU SOU STK TOT WBA WHU WOL
Arsenal 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–2 1–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 5–2
Birmingham 1–1 2–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 1–1 2–1 4–1 3–1 3–2 4–1 1–2 1–1 3–1 0–0 3–2 0–0 0–1
Chelsea 0–1 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 1–1 3–1 4–2 2–1 1–3 0–1 3–1 1–3 0–2
Coventry City 1–1 0–0 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–0 2–1 0–1 3–2 1–2 3–2 1–1 0–3 3–1 3–0 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 3–1 0–1
Crystal Palace 2–3 0–0 2–0 0–1 0–0 1–0 1–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–0 5–0 2–1 0–2 0–1 3–0 3–2 0–0 0–2 1–3 1–1
Derby County 5–0 1–0 1–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–0 2–3 2–1 2–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 4–0 0–3 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–0
Everton 0–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–2 0–1 0–2 2–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–1 0–1 2–0 3–1 1–0 1–2 0–1
Ipswich Town 1–2 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–1 3–1 0–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1
Leeds United 6–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 5–0 2–1 3–3 3–1 1–2 3–0 0–1 1–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–0
Leicester City 0–1 0–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 2–0 0–1 3–1 2–1 1–1
Liverpool 0–2 4–3 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 0–0 2–0 2–0 3–2 3–1 5–0 3–2 2–1 1–1 1–0 3–2 4–2
Manchester City 1–2 1–0 0–1 1–2 2–3 4–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 4–3 1–1
Manchester United 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–2 1–4 2–1 2–2 2–1
Newcastle United 2–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–0 1–2 3–2 2–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–1 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–2 2–1
Norwich City 3–2 1–2 1–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 1–1 0–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 0–1 1–1
Sheffield United 1–0 0–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 0–2 2–0 0–3 1–1 1–0 1–2 2–0 3–1 0–0 3–2 3–0 0–0 1–2
Southampton 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 3–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–1
Stoke City 0–0 1–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 5–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–3 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0
Tottenham Hotspur 1–2 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–2 2–3 1–1 3–2 3–0 2–0 1–2 4–3 1–1 1–0 2–2
West Bromwich Albion 1–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 0–4 2–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–3 0–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 1–0
West Ham United 1–2 2–0 3–1 1–0 4–0 1–2 2–0 0–1 1–1 5–2 0–1 2–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 4–3 3–2 2–2 2–1 2–2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–3 3–2 1–0 3–0 1–1 1–2 4–2 0–1 0–2 2–0 2–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 5–3 3–2 2–0 3–0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League First Division London teams 1972–1973
Locations of the Football League First Division 1972–1973 teams

Second Division
Football League
Second Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsBurnley (2nd title)
PromotedQueens Park Rangers
RelegatedBrighton & Hove Albion,
Huddersfield Town
Matches played462
Goals scored1,156 (2.5 per match)
Top goalscorerDon Givens (Queens Park Rangers), 23 [3]
Biggest home winCarlisle – Preston North End 6–1 (26 Dec 1972)
QPR – Portsmouth 5–0 (31 Mar 1973)
QPR – Swindon 5–0 (17 Feb 1973)
Biggest away winPreston North End –Portsmouth 0–5 (10 Feb 1973)
Highest scoringBlackpool – Brighton & Hove 6–2 (19 Apr 1973)
Hull – Preston North End 6–2 (27 Jan 1973)
Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Burnley 42 13 6 2 44 18 11 8 2 28 17 2.057 62 Division Champions, promoted
2 Queens Park Rangers 42 16 4 1 54 13 8 9 4 27 24 2.189 61 Promoted
3 Aston Villa 42 12 5 4 27 17 6 9 6 24 30 1.085 50
4 Middlesbrough 42 12 6 3 29 15 5 7 9 17 28 1.070 47
5 Bristol City 42 10 7 4 34 18 7 5 9 29 33 1.235 46
6 Sunderland 42 12 6 3 35 17 5 6 10 24 32 1.204 46 FA Cup winners, qualified for UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1973–74 First round
7 Blackpool 42 12 6 3 37 17 6 4 11 19 34 1.098 46
8 Oxford United 42 14 2 5 36 18 5 5 11 16 25 1.209 45
9 Fulham 42 11 6 4 32 16 5 6 10 26 33 1.184 44
10 Sheffield Wednesday 42 14 4 3 40 20 3 6 12 19 35 1.073 44
11 Millwall 42 12 5 4 33 18 4 5 12 22 29 1.170 42
12 Luton Town 42 6 9 6 24 23 9 2 10 20 30 0.830 41
13 Hull City 42 9 7 5 39 22 5 5 11 25 37 1.085 40
14 Nottingham Forest 42 12 5 4 32 18 2 7 12 15 34 0.904 40
15 Orient 42 11 6 4 33 18 1 6 14 16 35 0.925 36
16 Swindon Town 42 8 9 4 28 23 2 7 12 18 37 0.767 36
17 Portsmouth 42 7 6 8 21 22 5 5 11 21 37 0.712 35
18 Carlisle United 42 10 5 6 40 24 1 7 13 10 28 0.962 34
19 Preston North End 42 6 8 7 19 25 5 4 12 18 39 0.578 34
20 Cardiff City 42 11 4 6 32 21 0 7 14 11 37 0.741 33 Welsh Cup winners, qualified for UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1973–74 First round
21 Huddersfield Town 42 7 9 5 21 20 1 8 12 15 36 0.643 33 Relegated
22 Brighton & Hove Albion 42 7 8 6 32 31 1 5 15 14 52 0.554 29
Source:

Results
Home \ Away AST BLP B&HA BRI BUR CAR CRL FUL HUD HUL LUT MID MIL NOT ORI OXF POR PNE QPR SHW SUN SWI
Aston Villa 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–3 2–0 1–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 2–1
Blackpool 1–1 6–2 3–0 1–2 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 4–3 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–2 0–0 2–0
Brighton & Hove Albion 1–3 1–2 1–1 0–1 2–2 1–0 2–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 3–3 2–2 3–1
Bristol City 3–0 3–0 3–1 0–1 1–0 4–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–0 3–0
Burnley 4–1 4–3 3–0 1–1 3–0 2–2 2–2 2–1 4–1 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–0 2–1
Cardiff City 0–2 1–2 1–1 1–3 0–1 1–0 3–1 4–1 0–2 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 3–0 0–0 4–1 1–1 1–1
Carlisle United 2–2 2–3 5–1 1–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 1–0 2–1 1–0 6–1 1–3 1–1 4–3 3–0
Fulham 2–0 2–0 5–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–1 2–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 0–0 1–3 0–2 1–0 1–2 0–0
Huddersfield Town 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–1 0–2 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–3 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–0 2–2 1–0 1–1 1–1
Hull City 1–2 1–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 0–0 2–0 0–1 5–1 6–2 4–1 1–1 0–2 3–2
Luton Town 0–0 2–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–1 1–0 4–1 1–2 0–1 2–2 1–0 1–1 0–1 2–2 1–0 2–2 0–0 1–0 0–1
Middlesbrough 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 3–3 2–0 1–0 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 0–0 3–2 1–0 3–0 0–0 0–0 3–0 2–1 0–2
Millwall 1–1 1–1 3–0 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–3 1–0 2–0 3–2 1–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 0–2 4–1 0–1 2–1 0–1 1–1
Nottingham Forest 1–1 4–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–1 2–1 1–1 1–2 0–1 1–3 3–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 3–0 1–0 2–2
Orient 4–0 2–0 1–0 0–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 3–2 3–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 3–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–2 3–2 1–1 1–0
Oxford United 2–0 0–1 3–0 0–2 0–2 2–1 1–1 0–0 2–0 5–2 2–1 4–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–0 5–1 1–0
Portsmouth 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–3 0–2 3–1 0–0 1–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 0–1 0–1 1–0 2–3 1–1
Preston North End 0–1 0–3 4–0 3–3 1–1 0–0 1–0 0–3 0–0 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–5 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1
Queens Park Rangers 1–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–0 3–1 0–0 5–0 3–0 4–2 3–2 5–0
Sheffield Wednesday 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 0–1 1–0 0–0 3–0 3–2 4–2 4–0 2–1 2–2 1–2 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 1–0 2–1
Sunderland 2–2 1–0 4–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 4–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–3 1–1 3–2
Swindon Town 1–3 0–0 2–2 2–1 0–1 3–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–0 1–1
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League Second Division London teams 1972–1973
Locations of the Football League Second Division 1972–1973 teams

Third Division
Football League
Third Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsBolton Wanderers (1st title)
PromotedNotts County
RelegatedBrentford,
Rotherham United,
Scunthorpe United,
Swansea City
Matches played552
Goals scored1,371 (2.48 per match)
Top goalscorerArthur Horsfield (Charlton Athletic), 26 [3]
Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Bolton Wanderers 46 18 4 1 44 9 7 7 9 29 30 1.872 61 Division Champions, promoted
2 Notts County 46 17 4 2 40 12 6 7 10 27 35 1.426 57 Promoted
3 Blackburn Rovers 46 12 8 3 34 16 8 7 8 23 31 1.213 55
4 Oldham Athletic 46 12 7 4 40 18 7 9 7 32 36 1.333 54
5 Bristol Rovers 46 17 4 2 55 20 3 9 11 22 36 1.375 53
6 Port Vale 46 15 6 2 41 21 6 5 12 15 48 0.812 53
7 Bournemouth 46 14 6 3 44 16 3 10 10 22 28 1.500 50
8 Plymouth Argyle 46 14 3 6 43 26 6 7 10 31 40 1.121 50
9 Grimsby Town 46 16 2 5 45 18 4 6 13 22 43 1.098 48
10 Tranmere Rovers 46 12 8 3 38 17 3 8 12 18 35 1.077 46
11 Charlton Athletic 46 12 7 4 46 24 5 4 14 23 43 1.030 45
12 Wrexham 46 11 9 3 39 23 3 8 12 16 31 1.019 45
13 Rochdale 46 8 8 7 22 26 6 9 8 26 28 0.889 45
14 Southend United 46 13 6 4 40 14 4 4 15 21 40 1.130 44
15 Shrewsbury Town 46 10 10 3 31 21 5 4 14 15 33 0.852 44
16 Chesterfield 46 13 4 6 37 22 4 5 14 20 39 0.934 43
17 Walsall 46 14 3 6 37 26 4 4 15 19 40 0.848 43
18 York City 46 8 10 5 24 14 5 5 13 18 32 0.913 41
19 Watford 46 11 8 4 32 23 1 9 13 11 25 0.896 41
20 Halifax Town 46 9 8 6 29 23 4 7 12 14 30 0.811 41
21 Rotherham United 46 12 4 7 34 27 5 3 15 17 38 0.785 41 Relegated
22 Brentford 46 12 5 6 33 18 3 2 18 18 51 0.739 37
23 Swansea City 46 11 5 7 37 29 3 4 16 14 44 0.699 37
24 Scunthorpe United 46 8 7 8 18 25 2 3 18 15 47 0.458 30
Source: rsssf.com

Results
Home \ Away BLB BOL BOU BRE BRR CHA CHF GRI HAL NTC OLD PLY PTV ROC ROT SCU SHR STD SWA TRA WAL WAT WRE YOR
Blackburn Rovers 0–3 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 3–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–1 1–1 2–1 3–0 0–0 2–1 3–0 2–2 2–0 0–0 1–1 2–0
Bolton Wanderers 0–1 3–0 2–0 2–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 2–2 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 2–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 3–0
Bournemouth 3–0 2–0 3–2 0–0 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 0–1 4–0 4–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–0 2–3
Brentford 4–0 2–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 3–1 0–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 5–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–2 1–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–0
Bristol Rovers 3–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 2–2 2–1 4–1 1–0 3–3 2–0 4–1 0–0 3–0 5–1 5–1 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–2
Charlton Athletic 1–2 2–3 1–1 2–1 3–3 2–2 1–1 1–0 6–1 4–2 3–0 2–0 1–0 1–2 2–0 1–2 0–0 6–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–0
Chesterfield 3–1 0–1 1–1 3–0 0–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 2–2 1–2 2–1 3–2 2–1 2–0 2–4 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–2 0–0
Grimsby Town 2–0 2–0 0–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–1 0–0 3–1 6–2 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 3–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 6–2 2–0 0–1 1–2
Halifax Town 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–2 3–0 3–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 0–3 2–1 2–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 2–2 1–0
Notts County 0–0 1–0 0–2 1–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–0 2–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–0
Oldham Athletic 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–0 0–1 3–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 7–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 0–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 1–1
Plymouth Argyle 1–2 1–0 1–0 0–1 3–2 5–0 2–2 3–1 2–1 1–4 1–3 2–1 3–2 4–1 3–0 3–0 2–0 3–1 0–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–1
Port Vale 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 2–1 3–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–0 4–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–0 1–2 1–0 3–2 2–1
Rochdale 0–1 2–2 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–2 1–2 3–2 0–0 4–1 0–0 0–6 0–0 0–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–0
Rotherham United 1–1 1–0 2–7 2–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–4 2–3 1–0 7–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–2 1–2 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–2
Scunthorpe United 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–2 0–1 1–2 0–3 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 1–5 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–0
Shrewsbury Town 2–0 0–2 0–0 2–0 4–2 0–2 2–0 3–2 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–1 2–3 3–2 1–1 4–2 1–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 1–0
Southend 0–1 1–1 2–2 4–0 0–0 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–1 3–1 5–0 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–1 3–0
Swansea City 2–2 2–3 1–0 2–1 0–2 2–1 2–1 6–2 2–0 3–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 2–3 0–1 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 1–3
Tranmere 1–1 1–1 0–0 6–2 1–1 4–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 2–2 2–0 0–1 2–0 2–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–0 4–0 1–0
Walsall 0–2 3–2 1–0 3–0 4–3 3–2 3–2 1–0 0–1 1–3 3–0 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–0 1–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 0–0
Watford 1–3 2–1 3–2 2–2 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 1–0 2–1 3–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 5–1 0–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–2
Wrexham 0–0 1–3 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–2 1–0 3–2 0–0 2–0 1–1 1–2 5–0 3–3 1–0 1–2 0–0 4–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 3–1
York City 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–2 0–1 3–1 2–1 2–0 3–0 4–1 0–0 0–0 1–1
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League Third Division London teams 1972–1973
Locations of the Football League Third Division teams 1972–1973

Fourth Division
Football League
Fourth Division
Season1972–73
ChampionsSouthport (1st title)
PromotedAldershot,
Cambridge United,
Hereford United
Failed re-electionNone
New club in the leagueHereford United
Matches played552
Goals scored1,347 (2.44 per match)
Top goalscorerFred Binney (Exeter City), 27 [3]
Pos Team Pld HW HD HL HGF HGA AW AD AL AGF AGA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Southport (C, P) 46 17 4 2 40 19 9 6 8 31 29 1.479 62 Promoted to the Third Division
2 Hereford United[lower-alpha 1] (P) 46 18 4 1 39 12 5 8 10 17 26 1.474 58 Promoted to the Third Division
3 Cambridge United (P) 46 15 6 2 40 23 5 11 7 27 34 1.175 57
4 Aldershot (P) 46 14 6 3 33 14 8 6 9 27 24 1.579 56
5 Newport County 46 14 6 3 37 18 8 6 9 27 26 1.455 56
6 Mansfield Town 46 15 7 1 52 17 5 7 11 26 34 1.529 54
7 Reading 46 14 7 2 33 7 3 11 9 18 31 1.342 52
8 Exeter City 46 13 8 2 40 18 5 6 12 17 33 1.118 50
9 Gillingham 46 15 4 4 44 20 4 7 12 19 38 1.086 49
10 Lincoln City 46 12 7 4 38 27 4 9 10 26 30 1.123 48
11 Stockport County 46 14 7 2 38 18 4 5 14 15 35 1.000 48
12 Bury 46 11 7 5 37 19 3 11 9 21 32 1.137 46
13 Workington 46 15 7 1 44 20 2 5 16 15 41 0.967 46
14 Barnsley 46 9 8 6 32 24 5 8 10 26 36 0.967 44
15 Chester 46 11 6 6 40 19 3 9 11 21 33 1.173 43
16 Bradford City 46 12 6 5 42 25 4 5 14 19 40 0.938 43
17 Doncaster Rovers 46 10 8 5 28 19 5 4 14 21 39 0.845 42
18 Torquay United 46 8 10 5 23 17 4 7 12 21 30 0.936 41
19 Peterborough United 46 10 8 5 42 29 4 5 14 29 47 0.934 41
20 Hartlepool 46 8 10 5 17 15 4 7 12 17 34 0.694 41
21 Crewe Alexandra 46 7 8 8 18 23 2 10 11 20 38 0.623 36 Re-elected
22 Colchester United 46 8 8 7 36 28 2 3 18 12 48 0.632 31
23 Northampton Town 46 7 6 10 24 30 3 5 15 16 43 0.548 31
24 Darlington 46 5 9 9 28 41 2 6 15 14 44 0.494 29
Source: rsssf.com
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. New club in the league

Results
Home \ Away ALD BAR BRA BRY CAM CHE COL CRE DAR DON EXE GIL HAR HER LIN MAN NPC NOR PET REA SOU STP TOR WRK
Aldershot 0–2 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–0 3–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 0–0 0–1 0–2 3–0 2–1 1–0 2–2 2–0 2–1 2–0
Barnsley 0–2 1–2 0–1 3–1 0–0 4–0 2–2 0–2 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 0–0 4–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 3–2 0–0 0–1 1–3 0–0 1–0
Bradford City 1–0 3–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 3–0 2–2 7–0 4–3 4–0 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 2–2
Bury 1–2 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–1 1–0 5–0 2–1 2–1 1–1 3–0 0–4 1–0 0–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–1 1–2 0–0 3–0
Cambridge United 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–2 1–0 3–0 1–0 0–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 3–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–0 1–0
Chester 0–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–1 5–0 1–2 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 3–0 8–2 2–0 0–0 2–0 1–2 1–3
Colchester United 2–3 1–2 0–0 2–1 0–1 2–3 5–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 1–0 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–0 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–1 1–1
Crewe Alexandra 0–2 1–0 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 2–1 1–1 0–4 0–0 1–0 0–2 0–0 0–2 0–1 1–1 2–0
Darlington 1–4 0–0 1–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 2–1 3–1 0–1 0–0 2–3 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 2–3 0–0 2–2 0–2 0–7 2–0 0–3 2–1
Doncaster Rovers 1–0 0–0 1–0 4–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–2 2–0 5–1 0–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–5 3–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–0 1–1
Exeter City 1–0 2–1 5–1 1–1 3–1 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–0 4–2 0–0 4–1 1–1 0–0 0–1 3–0 3–2 4–2
Gillingham 1–2 5–1 4–2 2–2 1–2 1–0 2–1 3–2 4–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–3 2–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 1–1 0–2
Hartlepool 1–1 1–4 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–2 0–2 0–0 1–0 1–0
Hereford United 1–0 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 4–1 1–0 1–0 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–0 3–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 0–0
Lincoln City 0–2 1–2 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–1 2–2 1–0 1–2 4–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 3–1 5–3 3–1 1–1
Mansfield Town 2–0 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 4–1 1–1 5–1 5–0 0–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–0 1–0 4–2 1–1 3–3 1–0 2–1 4–0
Newport County 2–1 1–1 0–0 4–3 0–2 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–0 5–1 5–1 0–1 2–2 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 3–1 1–0 2–1 2–0
Northampton Town 0–2 2–2 1–2 0–1 2–2 1–0 4–0 1–0 2–2 0–2 1–2 2–1 3–1 0–4 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–3 1–1 0–1 1–1 0–2 1–0
Peterborough United 1–0 6–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 4–3 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 1–0 1–0 1–2 4–2 0–1 2–3 0–1 2–1
Reading 0–0 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 0–1 1–1 2–0 5–0 3–0 2–0 1–1 0–0 3–0 2–0
Southport 3–1 1–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 3–2 1–0 2–0 2–1 2–2 1–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–1 4–1 1–0 2–1 2–1
Stockport County 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–0 2–2 2–1 2–0 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–0 2–3 0–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 0–0 3–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–0
Torquay United 1–1 0–0 1–2 0–1 1–2 1–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 0–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 2–2 2–0 0–0 3–0
Workington 2–1 3–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–3 2–0 3–2 3–0 2–2 0–0 2–0 2–0 2–2
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Maps
Locations of the Football League Fourth Division teams 1972–1973

See also
  • 1972-73 in English football

References
  1. "England 1972–73". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  2. Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
  3. "English League Leading Goalscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  4. Fox, Norman (2 June 1973). "Three up and down for top two divisions". The Times (58798). p. 23, col. A.
  • Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane’s, London & Sydney, 1980.
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