1977–78 Football League

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

Brian Clough became only the second manager in the history of English football to win the top division title with two clubs, when he guided Nottingham Forest to their first ever top division title. It was an incredible achievement for a Forest side who were one of just a few teams to win the First Division title a year after promotion. Forest finished seven points above Liverpool, who retained the European Cup. Everton, Manchester City and Arsenal completed the top five, while West Bromwich Albion finished sixth for the second successive season, qualifying for the UEFA Cup again. An exciting Coventry City side finished in seventh position, narrowly missing-out on UEFA Cup qualification. This was the club's second-highest ever league finish, after their sixth position in 1969–70. Manchester United dropped to tenth in their first season under new manager Dave Sexton, while Bobby Robson successfully fought off relegation with Ipswich Town and then guided them to their first FA Cup triumph of their history. Newcastle United, who had finished fifth a year earlier and had been in the First Division for thirteen years, endured a torrid season and went down with Leicester City and West Ham, ending the latter's twenty-year spell in the Division. Stats Record • Most wins: Nottingham Forest (25) • Fewest losses: Nottingham Forest (3) • Most goals scored: Everton (76) • Fewest goals conceded: Nottingham Forest (24) • Best goal difference ratio: Nottingham Forest (+45) • Most draws: Norwich City (18) • Fewest draws: West Ham United (8) • Most losses: Newcastle United (26) • Fewest wins: Leicester City (5) • Fewest goals scored: Leicester City (26) • Most goals conceded: Newcastle United (78) • Worst goal difference ratio: Leicester City (-44) Results Managerial changes Maps ==Second Division==

Bolton Wanderers ended their 14-year exile from the top flight by clinching the Second Division title in a tight promotion race between the top four teams. Southampton went up as runners-up, while Tottenham clinched the final promotion place following a final day draw with Southampton. Brighton missed out on a First Division place on goal difference, forcing them to prepare for a fresh assault on reaching the First Division for the first time in their history in 1979. Hull City, Mansfield Town and Blackpool went down to the Third Division. Results Managerial changes Maps ==Third Division==

Results Maps ==Fourth Division==

Source: Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four ==See also==