Seasons & episodes
S7 · E353rd April 1971 1971-04-03 · 80 min
Bristol Rovers v Preston North End Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur
S7 · E3610th April 1971 1971-04-10 · 80 min
Promotion: Soccer action from the Second Division where clubs have been fighting it out at the top. Leicester City v Sheffield United Relegation: Soccer action from the First Division where desperate attempts are being made to prevent the drop to the Second. Burnley v Blackpool Introduced by David Coleman.
S7 · E3717th April 1971 1971-04-17 · 80 min
Introduced by David Coleman. Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion Arsenal v Newcastle United Cardiff City v Watford (Wales only)
S7 · E3824th April 1971 1971-04-24 · 80 min
Introduced by David Coleman. Southampton v Leeds United Millwall v Hull City
S7 · E391st May 1971 1971-05-01 · 80 min
News, views, analysis... David Coleman introduces the key issues from the Saturday scene. Liverpool v Southampton Fulham v Preston North End
S7 · E40Cup Final Match of the Day 1971-05-08 · 80 min
David Coleman introduces action highlights from this afternoon's Arsenal v Liverpool 1971 Cup Final from the winners' celebration hotel in London's West End. The Expert View-from Don Revie (Manager of Leeds United), Joe Mercer (Manager of Manchester City) and Bobby Charlton (Captain of Manchester United).
S7 · E41International Match of the Day: 15th May 1971 1971-05-15 · 80 min
Features Northern Ireland v England from Windsor Park, Belfast and Wales v Scotland from Ninian Park, Cardiff David Coleman introduces double international soccer action from the opening matches of the 1971 Home International Tournament. At Belfast David Coleman is the commentator; and the expert action analysis comes from Don Revie (Leeds United manager), Noel Cantwell (Coventry City manager) and Bobby Charlton (captain of Manchester United). At Cardiff Barry Davies is the commentator and the neutral expert is Joe Mercer (Manchester City manager). The complete picture of the opening day with news, views, interviews and analysis supporting the two-match action.
S7 · E42International Match of the Day: 22nd May 1971 1971-05-22 · 80 min
England v Scotland from Wembley and Northern Ireland v Wales from Belfast David Coleman is the commentator at Wembley Stadium for the oldest soccer international in the world - England v Scotland. Kenneth Wolstenholme is the commentator at Windsor Park, Belfast, for N Ireland v Wales and yet another spectacular home appearance from Ireland's favourite footballer - George Best of Manchester United. BBC soccer experts Don Revie, Jock Stein, Joe Mercer, Noel Cantwell and Bobby Charlton analyse the key action and sum up the 1971 Home International tournament.
S7 · E4329th May 1971 1971-05-29 · 80 min
Featuring action from one of the six Anglo-Italian tournament matches being played today in this attractive competition involving Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, Stoke City, Swindon Town, and West Bromwich. Crystal Palace v Inter Milan After today's matches the clubs will play two more rounds in Italy. The competition awards two points for a win, one point for a draw, and one additional point for every goal scored.
S8 · E1Match of the Day: The Watney Cup 1971-07-31 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E2Match of the Day: The Watney Cup Final 1971-08-07 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E314th August 1971 1971-08-14 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E421st August 1971 1971-08-21 · 80 min
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.'
S8 · E528th August 1971 1971-08-28 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E64th September 1971 1971-09-04 · 80 min
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?
S8 · E711th September 1971 1971-09-11 · 80 min
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
S8 · E818th September 1971 1971-09-18 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E925th September 1971 1971-09-25 · 80 min
Liverpool v Manchester United West Ham United v Stoke City David Coleman introduces the 'Goal of the Month' parade.
S8 · E102nd October 1971 1971-10-02 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E119th October 1971 1971-10-09 · 80 min
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
S8 · E1216th October 1971 1971-10-16 · 80 min
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
S8 · E1323rd October 1971 1971-10-23 · 80 min
David Coleman introduces two-match action plus analysis and views from the Saturday soccer scene. Derby County v Arsenal Blackpool v Queens Park Rangers
S8 · E1430th October 1971 1971-10-30 · 80 min
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.
S8 · E156th November 1971 1971-11-06 · 80 min
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