The 1920–21 season was the 29th season of The Football League.
The Football League Third Division was introduced, in effect the Third Division South of the following season, when Third Division North was introduced. This expanded the League's operational radius all the way to the south coast of England, as the number of member clubs increased from 44 to 66.
Team changes The new Third Division was formed by clubs of the Southern Football League Division One of the previous season, except for Cardiff City. Cardiff City became the first Welsh club to enter the League, and since they were the strongest club in Wales in the era, they were invited directly into the Second Division. Grimsby Town took its place in the new Third Division, thereby being the first club relegated to the League's third tier. Leeds United were also elected into the Second Division to replace Leeds City after its debacle. Lincoln City were not re-elected to the Second Division and thus Port Vale's Second Division place was formalized as well.
Final league tables Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season.
During the first six seasons of the league, (up to the 1893–94 season), 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.
First Division
Results
Maps
Second Division
Results
Maps
Third Division
Results
Maps
Attendances Source:
Division One No. Club Average 1 Newcastle United FC 41,265 2 Chelsea FC 38,520 3 Everton FC 37,215 4 Tottenham Hotspur FC 36,010 5 Arsenal FC 35,540 6 Manchester United 35,525 7 Liverpool FC 35,440 8 Aston Villa FC 35,145 9 Bolton Wanderers FC 34,400 10 Burnley FC 31,535 11 Manchester City FC 31,120 12 Sunderland AFC 28,765 13 Blackburn Rovers FC 27,930 14 West Bromwich Albion FC 27,915 15 Sheffield United FC 26,920 16 Middlesbrough FC 23,845 17 Bradford City AFC 22,585 18 Huddersfield Town AFC 22,240 19 Preston North End FC 21,310 20 Oldham Athletic FC 18,075 21 Derby County FC 16,235 22 Bradford Park Avenue AFC 16,005
See also 1920–21 in English football 1920 in association football 1921 in association football
References
Ian Laschke: Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79. Macdonald and Jane's, London & Sydney, 1980.