1978–79 in English football

The 1978–79 season was the 99th season of competitive football in England.

Bob Paisley won his third league title as his Liverpool side fought off competition from Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion to finish eight points clear at the top of the table. Their final points tally of 68 was a record under the two points for a win system, and Ray Clemence kept 28 clean sheets in a season that saw Liverpool concede only four goals at home. Reigning champions Forest finished second, a point ahead of West Brom, who were in their first season under the management of Ron Atkinson.

At the other end of the First Division table, the three relegation places went to Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City and Chelsea. QPR had declined since the departure of Dave Sexton in 1977 and were relegated just three years after finishing second in the league. Chelsea's manager Danny Blanchflower paid for his team's shortcomings by losing his job.

Money dominated the headlines during the season: Trevor Francis became England's first million-pound footballer after joining Nottingham Forest from Birmingham City, and Liverpool became one of the first English clubs to have a shirt sponsor when they agreed a sponsorship deal with the Japanese hi-fi manufacturers Hitachi.

Crystal Palace won the Second Division title, and were joined in promotion by Brighton & Hove Albion (going into the top division for the first time) and third-placed Stoke City. Going down were Sheffield United, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.

...
Wikipedia