| 1980-81 In English Football |
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FIRST DIVISION Aston Villa ended their 71-year wait for the league championship trophy by overtaking Ipswich Town ( UEFA Cup winners) to yield the league championship crown. Liverpool slipped into fourth place but compensated for this downfall by lifting the European Cup and their first-ever League Cup . But Manchester United failed to make the top five and this shortcoming cost Dave Sexton his manager's job. He was succeeded by Ron Atkinson , who had just finished fourth in the league and reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals with an impressive West Bromwich Albion side - who would suffer a rapid declne after Atkinson's departure. Crystal Palace endured a dreadful season with just six wins and the 'team of the 80s' failed to live up to their much hyped image. It would be a long time before the Eagles had anything to shout about again. They were joined in the Second Division by also-doomed Norwich City and Leicester City . SECOND DIVISION FA Cup holders West Ham failed to retain their trophy but regained their First Division status by lifting the Second Division championship trophy. They were joined by Notts County and Swansea City . Both Bristol clubs were relegated from the Second Division in 1980-81. They were joined in the drop zone by Preston North End , who had slid back into a sharp decline to end any hopes of a return to their former glory. THIRD DIVISION Rotherham United , Barnsley and Charlton Athletic occupied the promotion places in the Third Division . Hull City , Blackpool and Colchester United were joined in the Third Division drop zone by Sheffield United - who just seven years earlier had finished sixth in the First Division. FOURTH DIVISION Southend United , Lincoln City , Doncaster Rovers and Wimbledon occupied the four promotion places in the Fourth Division . There were no movements between the Fourth Division and the Alliance Premier League as the re-election system went in favour of the league's bottom four clubs. FA CUP Tottenham Hotspur overcame Manchester City in the FA Cup final replay to lift their first major trophy under the management of Keith Burkinshaw. LEAGUE CUP Liverpool added to their European Cup triumph with their first-ever League Cup . STAR PLAYERS High scoring defensive midfielder John Wark was credited for his achievements at UEFA Cup Winners Ipswich Town by the PFA, who elected him Player of the Year. Aston Villa's promising young forward Gary Shaw added the PFA Young Player of the Year award to his league championship medal. The FWA voted Ipswich's Dutch winger Frans Thijsen as their Player of the Year. West Bromwich Albion midfielders Bryan Robson and Remi Moses became two of the most feared players in the league and would soon follow their manager Ron Atkinson to Manchester United. STAR MANAGERS Ron Saunders ended Aston Villa's 71-year wait for the league championship trophy by pipping Ipswich Town at the post. Bob Paisley made up for Liverpool's disappointing league form with success in the European Cup and League Cup. Bobby Robson couldn't quite bring the league championship trophy to Ipswich Town but compensated by bringing them the UEFA Cup. Keith Burkinshaw completed his rebuilding programme at Tottenham Hotspur by yielding an FA Cup triumph. John Lyall had another successful season with West Ham United as they won promotion to the First Division. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
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