Match of the Day: Season 1978/79
In November ITV signed a secret three year deal with the Football League to show edited highlights on Saturday nights instead of Sundays in an attempt to break away from the joint negotiating strategy and replace Match of the Day. A ruling by the Office of Fair Trading prevented ITV's exclusive contract being signed but a compromise was reached. For the duration of the next four year contract it was agreed that the
Season 15 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Match of the Day Season 14.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
In November ITV signed a secret three year deal with the Football League to show edited highlights on Saturday nights instead of Sundays in an attempt to break away from the joint negotiating strategy and replace Match of the Day.
A ruling by the Office of Fair Trading prevented ITV's exclusive contract being signed but a compromise was reached.
For the duration of the next four year contract it was agreed that the BBC and ITV would have to alternate their programme coverage with Match of the Day switching to Sunday afternoons for the 1980-81 and 1982-83 seasons.
Episode Guide
Season 15 Progress Shield
19th August 1978
Aug 19, 1978 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces the first action of the 1978/9 season. What sort of season will it be? Will another Nottingham Forest emerge... or can anybody afford to bet against Liverpool
26th August 1978
Aug 26, 1978 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill presents the action, the key points and the personalities from two of today's Football League matches. As well, there's the day's news plus the pools check. Manchester
2nd September 1978
Sep 2, 1978 · 80 min
Introduced by Jimmy Hill. Highlights of two of today's Football League matches. There's also match analysis, the news and your Talking Point of the Week. Gillingham v Watford Man
9th September 1978
Sep 9, 1978 · 80 min
Action highlights of two outstanding Football League games introduced by Jimmy Hill. As well, there's the day's important news, match analysis, and the pools check. Burnley v West
16th September 1978
Sep 16, 1978 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill presents top soccer action from today's Football League programme. There's match analysis, the views of players and managers, and a look at the day's other football head
23rd September 1978
Sep 23, 1978 · 80 min
Action, news, analysis and comment from today's Football League, introduced by Jimmy Hill. Crystal Palace v Oldham Athletic Coventry City v Leeds United
30th September 1978
Sep 30, 1978 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill presents two-match action from today's Football League. Also, the first Goal of the Month competition this season and Ron Greenwood, the England manager, has joined the
7th October 1978
Oct 7, 1978 · 80 min
Action, news, analysis and comment introduced by Jimmy Hill. There's also the result of the first Goal of the Month competition this season and a chance to air your views with Talk
14th October 1978
Oct 14, 1978 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill analyses the games, and listens to your Talking Point of the Week. Plus the Pools check and the day's other headlines from Tony Gubba. Aston Villa v Manchester United
21st October 1978
Oct 21, 1978 · 80 min
Featuring highlights of two of the day's important Football League matches. Jimmy Hill analyses the games, Bob Wilson brings you the day's headlines. West Ham United v Stoke City
28th October 1978
Oct 28, 1978 · 80 min
There's match analysis, the news of the day, your Talking Point and the personalities who make the news. Jimmy Hill also presents the October Goal of the Month Competition, where t
4th November 1978
Nov 4, 1978 · 80 min
Two top First Division matches introduced by Jimmy Hill. There's also the result of the October Goal of the Month Competition, the day's headlines and the late-night pools check.
11th November 1978
Nov 11, 1978 · 80 min
Action highlights of two First Division games introduced by Jimmy Hill. Then, there's the day's headlines with Bob Wilson and the late-night Pools Check. Queens Park Rangers v Liv
18th November 1978
Nov 18, 1978 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill presents First and Second Division action from today's Football League analysing the key points and there's the late-night headlines and the pools check. West Ham Unite
25th November 1978
Nov 25, 1978 · 80 min
First Division action, analysis and the day's headlines presented by Jimmy Hill. There's also £100-worth of premium bonds to be won in the November Goal of the Month Competition, p
2nd December 1978
Dec 2, 1978 · 80 min
Outstanding First and Second Division matches introduced by Jimmy Hill. Plus the result of the November Goal of the Month Competition, and Tony Gubba brings you up-to-date with the
9th December 1978
Dec 9, 1978 · 80 min
Introduced by Jimmy Hill. Two great First Division matches in prospect tonight. There's also the day's football news and a chance for you to check your pools coupons with Tony Gubb
16thDecember 1978
Dec 16, 1978 · 80 min
Introduced by Bob Wilson featuring highlights of two Football League matches and The Olympia International Show Jumping Championships. Bob Wilson analyses the key points; and Desmo
23rd December 1978
Dec 23, 1978 · 80 min
Action highlights of two outstanding First Division matches affecting the race for the Football League championship. Jimmy Hill analyses the key points.... and Bob Wilson brings yo
30th December 1978
Dec 30, 1978 · 80 min
First Division action presented by Jimmy Hill. There's also £100 to be won in our December Goal of the Month competition and Bob Wilson sums up the day's important news and brings
6th January 1979: FA Cup Third Round
Jan 6, 1979 · 80 min
Action highlights from today's FA Cup Third Round Ties. Jimmy Hill analyses the key points and Tony Gubba features the other important Cup news. Plus the Pools Check and the result
13th January 1979
Jan 13, 1979 · 80 min
Action highlights of two Football League matches. Plus all the day's news and the late-night Pools Check. Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion Bristol City v Tottenham Hotspur
20th January 1979
Jan 20, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces two games affecting the First and Second Division championships. The day's headlines are summed up by Desmond Lynam , and Jimmy Hill presents Talking Point, a
27th January 1979: FA Cup Fourth Round
Jan 27, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights from today's big games. There's also £100 to be won in the January Goal of the Month competition and Desmond Lynam brings you the day's news
3rd February 1979
Feb 3, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights of two Football League matches. There's also Match Analysis ... Comment from the top personalities in the game ... and the day's other headl
10th February 1979
Feb 10, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights from two top First Division games. At the end of the programme Desmond Lynam brings you up to date with all the football news of the day including
17th February 1979
Feb 17, 1979 · 80 min
Scheduled FA Cup Fifth Round games were postponed. Jimmy Hill presents action highlights of two Football League matches. Plus analysis, interviews, and the rest of the day's news f
24th February 1979
Feb 24, 1979 · 80 min
Two Football League matches introduced by Jimmy Hill. As well, there are interviews with the personalities of the day, match analysis, plus the League tables and your late-night po
3rd March 1979
Mar 3, 1979 · 80 min
Two Football League matches affecting the First and Second Division Championships. Match analysis Jimmy Hill. Plus interviews with the personalities of the day; the late-night pool
17th March 1979
Mar 17, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces First Division action affecting the championship and relegation. Bob Wilson sums up the rest of the day's news. Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers Bristol City v
24th March 1979
Mar 24, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights of games from the top of the First and Second Divisions. Desmond Lynam brings you the day's football news and your late-night Pools Check. Arsenal
31st March 1979: FA Cup Semi-Final
Mar 31, 1979 · 80 min
Bob Wilson presents one of football's big days of the year - The Semi-finals of the FA Cup. Bob Wilson analyses the key moments and there will be news and interviews of the other S
7th April 1979
Apr 7, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights from two outstanding First Division matches. Analysis and interviews plus all the other news of the day's League programme and there's the r
14th April 1979
Apr 14, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights of two First Division games from today's crucial Easter programme. Bob Wilson has the rest of the day's news and the late-night Pools Check. Liver
21st April 1979
Apr 21, 1979 · 80 min
Outstanding Football League action presented by Jimmy Hill. Plus all the news and comment from the personalities of the day. Swindon Town v Watford Derby County v Arsenal
28th April 1979
Apr 28, 1979 · 80 min
As the season draws to an end, Jimmy Hill introduces highlights of two Football League games affecting promotion, relegation and entry into Europe next season. The day's headlines
5th May 1979
May 5, 1979 · 80 min
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights and analysis of two key matches tonight on the last Saturday of the League season. Desmond Lynam brings you up-to-date on Championship promotion an
12th May 1979: FA Cup Final: Arsenal v Manchester United
May 12, 1979 · 80 min
Highlights of the 1979 FA Cup Final. Jimmy Hill presents the best action, analyses the key moments and talks to the players and manager of the victorious side direct from their cel
19th May 1979: Home International Championship
May 19, 1979 · 80 min
Today's first two matches in the 1979 Home International Championship. The legendary Bobby Charlton and European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan join Jimmy Hill in London to an
25th May 1979: Home International Championship
May 25, 1979 · 80 min
Action highlights of the penultimate match in the 1979 Home International Championship. Northern Ireland v Wales from Windsor Park, Belfast
26th May 1979: Home International Championship
May 26, 1979 · 80 min
Featuring the climax to the Home International Soccer Championship, England against Scotland, played this afternoon at Wembley. Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights and analyses