For the first time since 1937 (and for the last time to date), Manchester City claimed the league title, finishing two points clear of their local rivals Manchester United. Fulham finished bottom of the league and were relegated along with Sheffield United. Coventry City, under Jimmy Hill escaped relegation by one point but would go on to stay in the top division until their eventual relegation at the end of the 2000-01 season.
The championship decider: Manchester City vs Newcastle United
In the Second Division, Bill McGarry’s Ipswich Town team won the division by one point from Queens Park Rangers, with both teams promoted. Blackpool finished third on goal average and so missed out. Rotherham United and bottom club Plymouth Argyle were both relegated to the Third Division.
In the Third Division, Oxford United won their first divisional title and achieved what was then their highest ever finish in only their sixth season as a league club. Runners-up Bury joined them in promotion. Grimsby Town, Colchester United and Scunthorpe United were relegated, although the biggest story concerned bottom placed Peterborough United who were deducted 19 points for offering irregular bonuses to their players and so finished bottom. Had the points been restored the club would have finished in the top half. As a result of the ruling Mansfield Town escaped relegation. Down in the Fourth Division, Luton Town won the division and were promoted along with Barnsley, Hartlepools United and Crewe Alexandra. No clubs were voted out of the league.
The FA Cup Final was won by West Bromwich Albion who beat Everton 1-0 in extra time with a goal from Jeff Astle. The League Cup went to Leeds United, who beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final to win the competition for the first time.
FA cup final footage
In European football, Manchester United became the first English team to win the European Cup when they beat Benfica 4-1 after extra time at Wembley Stadium with goals from Bobby Charlton (2), George Best and Brian Kidd. A double triumph was secured by Leeds United when they won the Inter Cities Fairs Cup by beating Ferencváros 1-0 on aggregate.
Manchester United legend George Best capped a vintage season by finishing as Division One’s top scorer with 28 goals, although the same total was also scored by Ron Davies for Southampton. Unsurprisingly Best was awarded the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, as well as the European Footballer of the Year award. Jeff Astle was a hero for West Bromwich Albion after scoring the winning goal in the F.A Cup final.
Matt Busby became the manager who achieved his finest hour by leading his Manchester United side to their European Cup triumph. He was knighted for his success the same year. Joe Mercer ensured that it was a double success for Manchester by reinvigorating the underachieving Manchester City with the league title. Don Revie won two trophies with Leeds United in this season and laid the foundations for one of the most successful teams of the next ten years. Arthur Turner, who had managed Oxford United in their non-league days continued to push the club onto greater things by securing a place in the Second Division for them.
Ha ha last time Man City will ever win league.