1949–50 in English football

The 1949–50 season was the 70th season of competitive football in England.

Overview

Portsmouth retained the First Division title by one of the narrowest margins in history ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

An event that was much talked about in the city of Sheffield for many years was the way the promotion race from the Second Division was won. Going into the last game of the season, Sheffield Wednesday needed to beat Tottenham Hotspur to clinch promotion at the expense of their local rivals Sheffield United. The resulting 0–0 draw meant Wednesday won promotion by a goal average difference of just 0.008 – a 1–1 draw would have left the two great rivals level on points and goal average, and a unique play-off match would have had to be played.

Joe Mercer captained the winning Arsenal team in the FA Cup and is named FWA Footballer of the Year.[1]

Manchester United returned to a rebuilt Old Trafford eight years after it had been damaged by the Luftwaffe.[2]

Honours

CompetitionWinnerRunner-up
First DivisionPortsmouth (2)Wolverhampton Wanderers
Second DivisionTottenham HotspurSheffield Wednesday
Third Division NorthDoncaster RoversGateshead
Third Division SouthNotts CountyNorthampton Town
FA CupArsenal (3)Liverpool
Charity ShieldPortsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers (shared)
Home Championship England Scotland

Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour. * indicates new record for competition

League table

First Division

PosClubPWDLFAGAPts
1Portsmouth422291174381.94753
2Wolverhampton Wanderers422013976491.55153
3Sunderland4221101183621.33952
4Manchester United4218141069441.56850
5Newcastle United4219121177551.40050
6Arsenal4219111279551.43649
7Blackpool4217151046351.31449
8Liverpool4217141164541.18548
9Middlesbrough422071559481.22947
10Burnley4216131340401.00045
11Derby County4217101569611.13144
12Aston Villa4215121561611.00042
13Chelsea4212161458650.89240
14West Bromwich Albion4214121647530.88740
15Huddersfield Town421491952730.71237
16Bolton Wanderers4210141845590.76334
17Fulham4210141841540.75934
18Everton4210141842660.63634
19Stoke City4211121945750.60034
20Charlton Athletic421362353650.81532
21Manchester City428132136680.52929
22Birmingham City427142131670.46328

Second Division

PosClubPWDLFAGAPts
1Tottenham Hotspur42277881352.31461
2Sheffield Wednesday421816867481.39652
3Sheffield United421914968491.38852
4Southampton421914964481.33352
5Leeds United4217131254451.20047
6Preston North End421891560491.22445
7Hull City4217111464720.88945
8Swansea Town421791653491.08243
9Brentford4215131444490.89843
10Cardiff City4216101641440.93242
11Grimsby Town421681874731.01440
12Coventry City4213131655551.00039
13Barnsley4213131664670.95539
14Chesterfield421591843470.91539
15Leicester City4212151555650.84639
16Blackburn Rovers4214101855600.91738
17Luton Town4210181441510.80438
18Bury421491960650.92337
19West Ham United4212121853610.86936
20Queens Park Rangers4211121940570.70234
21Plymouth Argyle428161844650.67732
22Bradford Park Avenue4210112151770.66231

Third Division North

PosClubPWDLFAGAPts
1Doncaster Rovers421917666381.73755
2Gateshead422371287541.61153
3Rochdale422191268411.65951
4Lincoln City422191260391.53851
5Tranmere Rovers4219111251481.06349
6Rotherham United4219101380591.35648
7Crewe Alexandra4217141168551.23648
8Mansfield Town4218121266541.22248
9Carlisle United4216151168511.33347
10Stockport County421971655521.05845
11Oldham Athletic4216111558630.92143
12Chester421761970790.88640
13Accrington Stanley421671957620.91939
14New Brighton4214101845630.71438
15Barrow421491947530.88737
16Southport4212131751710.71837
17Darlington4211131856690.81235
18Hartlepools United421452352790.65833
19Bradford City421282261760.80332
20Wrexham4210122039540.72232
21Halifax Town421282258850.68232
22York City429132052700.74331

Third Division South

PosClubPWDLFAGAPts
1Notts County42258995501.90058
2Northampton Town4220111172501.44051
3Southend United4219131066481.37551
4Nottingham Forest422091367391.71849
5Torquay United4219101366631.04848
6Watford4216131345351.28645
7Crystal Palace4215141355541.01944
8Brighton & Hove Albion4216121457690.82644
9Bristol Rovers421951851511.00043
10Reading421781770641.09442
11Norwich City4216101665631.03242
12Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic4216101657561.01842
13Port Vale4215111647421.11941
14Swindon Town4215111659620.95241
15Bristol City4215101760610.98440
16Exeter City4214111763750.84039
17Ipswich Town4212111957860.66335
18Leyton Orient4212111953850.62435
19Walsall429161761620.98434
20Aldershot421382148600.80034
21Newport County421382167980.68434
22Millwall421442455630.87332

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points

References

  1. The Times, 4 April 1950; Association Football Scottish Team To Meet England