Luton and Watford were promoted to Division One in 1981-82, and the following season were a breath of fresh air in the top flight. They decided tliat attack was the best form of defence. Only four teams scored more than David Pleat’s Luton. Unfortunately, the worst defensive record in the division meant that they finished 18 th, surviving with a win over Manchester City on the last day of the season.
Graham Taylor’s Watford ended the season second to Liverpool, both in goals scored and league position. Watford had taken five years to get from the basement to Division One, but made a better fist of it than Swansea once they got there. Elton John had taken over as chairman in 1976, when the team was a mid-table Division Four outfit. But it was the appointment of Taylor that was undoubtedly the key to Watford’s meteoric rise. The team was always dangerous going forward, Luther Blissett and Ross Jenkins spearheading the attack. Blissett’s performances earned him an England call-up, and he scored a hat-trick in his first full appearance, against Luxembourg in December 1982.
Refereeing inconsistencies
The resurgence of attacking football was partly down to the new three-points-for-a-win system. This term the authorities showed their determination to stamp out cynical play by making professional fouls a sending-off offence. This remained a grey area, however, with the seriousness of the misdemeanour left to the referee’s discretion. The season was peppered with controversial incidents, some of which resulted in dismissal while others merely earned a caution.
Opposite left: Peter Withe and Nigel Spinks of Aston Villa with the European Cup.
Opposite right: Gary Lineker is among Leicester City players celebrating when Ian Wilson scores against Fulham, helping Leicester pursue promotion to the First Division.
Above: A scene at the opening ceremony of the 1982 World Cup held in Spain. England were to perform well in the initial stages but could not maintain the momentum.
Right: Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar holds on to this Everton cross during the 1984 Charity Shield, but a later mistake would see Everton win the match 1-0.
World History
