

Match of the Day
Season 1971/72
Not Rated
John Motson makes his debut as a Match of the Day commentator.
Where to Watch Match of the Day • Season 1971/72
43 Episodes
- Match of the Day: The Watney CupE1
Match of the Day: The Watney CupMatch of the Day kicks off with The Watney Cup. Two-match action from the opening round of the Watney Cup. Eight of the highest-scoring teams from the four Divisions of the Football League - Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion, Carlisle, Luton Town, Halifax Town, Wrexham, Colchester United and Crewe Alexandra meet in an intriguing pre-season knock-out competition. Barry Davies and Alan Weeks are the commentators at two of today's matches. Halifax Town v Manchester United Colchester United v Luton Town David Coleman introduces news, views, analysis from the tournament which experiments with the controversial off-side law. - Match of the Day: The Watney Cup FinalE2
Match of the Day: The Watney Cup FinalMatch of the Day features The Watney Cup Final. West Bromwich Albion v Colchester United Action from the final stage of football's pre-season knock-out tournament which has involved the highest-scoring teams from the four divisions of the Football League. Last year's final produced five goals when Derby County defeated Manchester United 4-1. - 14th August 1971E3
14th August 1971Features First Division two-match action to kick off the 1971-72 Football League season. Arsenal v Chelsea Liverpool v Nottingham Forest Action, analysis, interviews and the news which matters on Day One of the Football League season. A season which begins with 12 new managers appointed to league sides in midsummer. Already hundreds of friendly matches and the Watney Cup competition have taken place, but the battle for honours in the four divisions begins today. Will Leeds strike lucky in the First Division this season? What are the pressures on League champions and Cup holders Arsenal? Can Burnley return after one season only in the Second Division? Do Aston Villa fans need more than Third Division football? Many of the answers will be found on Saturdays and shown on Match of the Day. - 21st August 1971E4
21st August 1971David Coleman introduces two-match action, presents the Saturday news which matters and talks to the personality player of the day. Birmingham City v Carlisle United Burnley v Luton Town All goals scored in these two matches will be considered for the 'Goal of the Month' competition, the national Saturday-night pastime which attracted a regular 60,000 monthly entry and a final entry of 178,000 for the 'Goal of the Season.' - 28th August 1971E5
28th August 1971Featuring action from two famous Football League grounds in the First Division. Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur Derby County v Southampton David Coleman introduces action, analysis, news and the ' Goal of the Month' competition. The first month's goal parade will include the five Watney Cup matches. Last season the climax to the monthly goal season awards came on Cup Final day when the goal of the season was selected. Mrs Margaret Tumelty from Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, won the £300-worth of Premium Bonds with her 1-2-3 winning selection. There was a postcard entry of 178,000 for this competition final. - 4th September 1971E6
4th September 1971David Coleman introduces one hour of soccer action, news and analysis from the Saturday football programme. Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool Swindon Town v Queens Park Rangers Who will be the first winner in season 1971-72 of the popular 'Goal of the Month' competition? - 11th September 1971E7
11th September 1971David Coleman introduces action, analysis, news and views after one of the most remarkable opening months to any domestic soccer season. Hundreds of players have been 'booked' by referees following new, strict instructions from the governing bodies of the game to clean up match play. Match of the Day action so far has emphasised that more discipline has meant more goals. Crystal Palace v Manchester United Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion - 2nd October 1971E10
2nd October 1971Four First Division teams in action. The result of September's 'Goal of the Month' competition. News, views and analysis. Manchester United v Sheffield United Southampton v Arsenal David Coleman introduces one hour of match action and the selected 1-2-3 goals during the month of September. - 16th October 1971E12
16th October 1971David Coleman introduces two-match action, news and views, with the League tables still wide open after two months of a new season with refreshing pace-making by teams like Sheffield United, Notts County, Norwich and Brentford. Leeds United v Manchester City Millwall v Bristol City - 27th November 1971E18
27th November 1971Two-match action from today's Football League programme and the 'Goal of the Month ' parade from the November matches. David Coleman introduces action, analysis and the 'Goals of the Month': in August Wyn Davies (Manchester City) scored the winning goal; in September Bobby Charlton of Manchester United; last month the honour went to Millwall's Gordon Bolland. Southampton v Manchester United Burnley v Swindon Town - 4th December 1971E19
4th December 1971David Coleman introduces two-match action from the First Division and the winning goals from the November 'Goal of the Month' competition. Derby County v Manchester City Crystal Palace v Sheffield United Two-match action, analysis, interviews and the fourth 'Goal of the Month' winner of the season. So far this year, there have been over 60,000 entries a month and a surprisingly high proportion of them have come from women fans. - 15th January 1972E24
15th January 1972Match of the Day featuring The FA Cup Third Round. Action highlights from three of the leading FA Third Round Cup ties with commentators David Coleman, Barry Davies and John Motson. Who will triumph at Wembley in 1972, the centenary year of the FA Cup? This time last year Manchester United and West Ham failed to survive the Third Round pressures. Swindon Town v Arsenal Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City Blackpool v Chelsea - 5th February 1972E27
5th February 1972The FA Cup Fourth Round. Action highlights from three of today's Fourth Round ties as 32 teams in the centenary FA Cup competition compete for Wembley Stadium glory on 6 May. BARRY DAVIES , JOHN MOTSON and IDWAL ROBLING are the commentators at three cup-ties which span the country. Hereford United v Newcastle United Liverpool v Leeds United Preston North End v Manchester United The result of the January 'Goal of the Month' competition and another £100-worth of Premium Bonds for the winning selection. - 26th February 1972E30
26th February 1972The FA Cup Fifth Round. Action highlights involving six of the 16 clubs battling today. David Coleman, Barry Davies and John Motson are commentators at three of the top Cup Ties and the 'Goal of the Month'. Leyton Orient v Chelsea Cardiff City v Leeds United Manchester United v Middlesbrough - 4th March 1972E31
4th March 1972David Coleman introduces two-match action, analysis and views from the Saturday Football League programme. The result of the February 'Goal of the Month' competition with £100-worth of Premium Bonds for the winner. Leeds United v Southampton Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - 1st April 1972E35
1st April 1972Match of the Day Special: International Boxing: featuring Muhammad Ali Match of the Day: One of the intriguing championship fixtures in the First Division. Derby County v Leeds United Match No 2 involves a top-of-the-table battle in another Division. Fulham v Millwall International Boxing: Muhammad Ali, former Heavyweight Champion of the World, meets fellow American Mac Foster, ranked No 5 in the world. From the Budokan Hall, Tokyo. - 8th April 1972E36
8th April 1972Match of the Day Special Two-match action from Division 1 and The Grand National. Introduced by David Coleman. Manchester City v West Ham United Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers The Grand National Another look at the world's greatest steeplechase event and the triumphs of Aintree 1972. - 29th April 1972E39
29th April 1972International Match of the Day from Wembley featuring The European Football Championship Quarter Final (First Leg) England v West Germany Commentator DAVID COLEMAN with action replays, analysis and expert opinion from DON REVIE , BRIAN CLOUGH , JOCK STEIN, BOBBY CHARLTON and BOB WILSON. - 6th May 1972E40
6th May 1972Cup Final Match of the Day Direct from the winners' victory banquet hotel in London's West End. David Coleman introduces action highlights from this afternoon's centenary FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Leeds United. Meet the winners as they celebrate their Wembley triumph. DAVID COLEMAN is the Cup Final commentator and the BBCtv soccer experts are BRIAN CLOUGH , Manager of Derby County; BOBBY CHARLTON , England's most-capped international and Manchester United's senior professional; TERRY COOPER , England and Leeds United, with BOB WILSON , Scotland and Arsenal. - 13th May 1972E41
13th May 1972Match of the Day Special features International Soccer and The Rugby League Cup Final International Soccer: West Germany v England The Quarter Final of the European Football Championship from West Berlin. Commentator DAVID COLEMAN with action replays, analysis and expert opinion from DON REVIE (Leeds United) and JOE MERCER (Manchester City). England lost the Quarter Final (First Leg) by 1-3 at Wembley last month. Rugby League: Leeds v St Helens Action highlights from this afternoon's Rugby League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Commentator EDDIE WARING Top-of-the-table Leeds, beaten at Wembley last year, face Lancashire's most talented side. - 20th May 1972E42
20th May 1972International Match of the Day Two-match soccer action from the Home International Tournament: Wales v England from Ninian Park, Cardiff Commentator Barry Davies and Scotland v Northern Ireland from Hampden Park, Glasgow Commentator John Motson England finished top of last year's final international table: P W D L F A Pts England 3 2 1 0 4 1 5 Ireland 3 2 0 1 2 1 4 Wales 3 0 2 1 0 1 2 Scotland 3 0 1 2 1 4 1 David Coleman introduces the first of three major soccer programmes on BBC1 featuring this championship and expert analysis by Don Revie (Leeds United), Brian Clough (Derby County) and Jock Stein (Celtic). - 27th May 1972E43
27th May 1972International Match of the Day Two-match action from the final day of the Home International Tournament: Scotland v England from Hampden Park, Glasgow and Wales v Northern Ireland from the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham These matches will decide who become the British soccer champions in 1972. Expert analysis from BRIAN CLOUGH , manager of the new League champions Derby County; JOE MERCER of Manchester City; and BOB WILSON , Scotland and Arsenal goalkeeper.
