The current contractual agreement meant that Match of the Day had to lead with a Division Two fixture, and twice with a match from Division Three.

Season 8 Episode 1 - Match of the Day: The Watney Cup

Match 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. Air Date : 31st-Jul-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 2 - Match of the Day: The Watney Cup Final

Match 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. Air Date : 7th-Aug-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 3 - 14th August 1971

Features 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. Air Date : 14th-Aug-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 4 - 21st August 1971

David 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.' Air Date : 21st-Aug-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 5 - 28th August 1971

Featuring 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. Air Date : 28th-Aug-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 6 - 4th September 1971

David 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? Air Date : 4th-Sep-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 7 - 11th September 1971

David 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 Air Date : 11th-Sep-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 8 - 18th September 1971

Two-match action introduced by David Coleman. Everton v Arsenal Leicester City v Sheffield United Today's action goals will be considered for the September 'Goal of the Month' competition. Air Date : 18th-Sep-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 9 - 25th September 1971

Liverpool v Manchester United West Ham United v Stoke City David Coleman introduces the 'Goal of the Month' parade. Air Date : 25th-Sep-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 10 - 2nd October 1971

Four 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. Air Date : 2nd-Oct-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 11 - 9th October 1971

David Coleman introduces two-match action from the First Division plus the news, analysis and views of the day. Derby County v Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool v Chelsea Air Date : 9th-Oct-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 12 - 16th October 1971

David 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 Air Date : 16th-Oct-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 13 - 23rd October 1971

David Coleman introduces two-match action plus analysis and views from the Saturday soccer scene. Derby County v Arsenal Blackpool v Queens Park Rangers Air Date : 23rd-Oct-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 14 - 30th October 1971

Action from two First Division matches and the Goal of the Month entry for October. Manchester United v Leeds United Wolverhampton Wanderers v Coventry City David Coleman introduces one hour of action, analysis and views. Air Date : 30th-Oct-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 15 - 6th November 1971

Two-match action and the result of the October 'Goal of the Month' competition. Hull City v Norwich City West Ham United v Sheffield United Air Date : 6th-Nov-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 16 - 13th November 1971

David Coleman introduces two-match action which could have a bearing on two championships. Action plus analysis plus views plus the key news from the day's busy Football League programme. Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Aston Villa v Notts County Air Date : 13th-Nov-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 17 - 20th November 1971

David Coleman introduces match action from two leading First Division grounds. Goals, news, views from the busy Saturday football scene. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal West Ham United v Manchester City Air Date : 20th-Nov-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 18 - 27th November 1971

Two-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 Air Date : 27th-Nov-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 19 - 4th December 1971

David 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. Air Date : 4th-Dec-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 20 - 11th December 1971

David Coleman introduces two-match action, analysis and the top news from the busy Football League fixture list. Southampton v West Ham United Chelsea v Leeds United Air Date : 11th-Dec-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 21 - 18th December 1971

Two-match action, 'Goal of the Month', analysis and interviews - introduced by David Coleman. Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur Goal parade features the most spectacular scoring efforts from the December matches on BBC1. Air Date : 18th-Dec-1971  Read More

Season 8 Episode 22 - 1st January 1972

David Coleman introduces two-match action and the result of the December 'Goal of the Month' competition. Queens Park Rangers v Burnley Arsenal v Everton Air Date : 1st-Jan-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 23 - 8th January 1972

David Coleman introduces action, analysis and the key interviews from the busy Football League Saturday. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City Stoke City v Arsenal Air Date : 8th-Jan-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 24 - 15th January 1972

Match 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 Air Date : 15th-Jan-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 25 - 22nd January 1972

David Coleman introduces action analysis and interviews from the Saturday Football League programme. Sheffield Wednesday v Millwall Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool Air Date : 22nd-Jan-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 26 - 29th January 1972

Barry Davies introduces two-match action and January's 'Goal of the Month' competition. Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United The pick of January's League and Cup goals on parade for a prize of £100-worth of Premium Bonds. Air Date : 29th-Jan-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 27 - 5th February 1972

The 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. Air Date : 5th-Feb-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 28 - 12th February 1972

Barry Davies introduces two-match action, news, views and analysis from the Football League programme. Aston Villa v Bournemouth Sheffield United v Manchester City Air Date : 12th-Feb-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 29 - 19th February 1972

First Division action highlights introduced by Barry Davies. Leeds United v Manchester United Coventry City v Wolverhampton Wanderers Air Date : 19th-Feb-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 30 - 26th February 1972

The 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 Air Date : 26th-Feb-1972  Read More

Season 8 Episode 31 - 4th March 1972

David 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 Air Date : 4th-Mar-1972  Read More