Match of the Day: Season 1971/72
John Motson makes his debut as a Match of the Day commentator.
Season 8 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 7.
- 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
John Motson makes his debut as a Match of the Day commentator.
Episode Guide
Season 8 Progress Shield
Match of the Day: The Watney Cup
Jul 31, 1971 · 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 Footba
Match of the Day: The Watney Cup Final
Aug 7, 1971 · 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 invol
14th August 1971
Aug 14, 1971 · 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 new
21st August 1971
Aug 21, 1971 · 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 Lu
28th August 1971
Aug 28, 1971 · 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, a
4th September 1971
Sep 4, 1971 · 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
11th September 1971
Sep 11, 1971 · 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 r
18th September 1971
Sep 18, 1971 · 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' c
25th September 1971
Sep 25, 1971 · 80 min
Liverpool v Manchester United West Ham United v Stoke City David Coleman introduces the 'Goal of the Month' parade.
2nd October 1971
Oct 2, 1971 · 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 Arsen
9th October 1971
Oct 9, 1971 · 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
16th October 1971
Oct 16, 1971 · 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 Sheffie
23rd October 1971
Oct 23, 1971 · 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
30th October 1971
Oct 30, 1971 · 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 introd
6th November 1971
Nov 6, 1971 · 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
13th November 1971
Nov 13, 1971 · 80 min
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 pro
20th November 1971
Nov 20, 1971 · 80 min
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 Ha
27th November 1971
Nov 27, 1971 · 80 min
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
4th December 1971
Dec 4, 1971 · 80 min
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
11th December 1971
Dec 11, 1971 · 80 min
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
18th December 1971
Dec 18, 1971 · 80 min
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 t
1st January 1972
Jan 1, 1972 · 80 min
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
8th January 1972
Jan 8, 1972 · 80 min
David Coleman introduces action, analysis and the key interviews from the busy Football League Saturday. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City Stoke City v Arsenal
15th January 1972
Jan 15, 1972 · 80 min
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 Motso
22nd January 1972
Jan 22, 1972 · 80 min
David Coleman introduces action analysis and interviews from the Saturday Football League programme. Sheffield Wednesday v Millwall Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
29th January 1972
Jan 29, 1972 · 80 min
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 Jan
5th February 1972
Feb 5, 1972 · 80 min
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. BARR
12th February 1972
Feb 12, 1972 · 80 min
Barry Davies introduces two-match action, news, views and analysis from the Football League programme. Aston Villa v Bournemouth Sheffield United v Manchester City
19th February 1972
Feb 19, 1972 · 80 min
First Division action highlights introduced by Barry Davies. Leeds United v Manchester United Coventry City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
26th February 1972
Feb 26, 1972 · 80 min
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
4th March 1972
Mar 4, 1972 · 80 min
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-wor
11th March 1972
Mar 11, 1972 · 80 min
David Coleman introduces championship soccer action from the First and Second Divisions. Norwich City v Sunderland Newcastle United v Arsenal
18th March 1972
Mar 18, 1972 · 80 min
The FA Cup Sixth Round. Action highlights from two of today's quarter-final FA Cup Ties as eight teams seek to follow Arsenal as Cup Final victors. Leeds United v Tottenham Hotsp
25th March 1972
Mar 25, 1972 · 80 min
Two-match action and the 'Goal of the Month' goals parade for March. David Coleman introduces action, interviews and the 'Goal of the Month'. Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa
1st April 1972
Apr 1, 1972 · 80 min
Match of the Day Special: International Boxing: featuring Muhammad Ali Match of the Day: One of the intriguing championship fixtures in the First Division. Derby County v Leeds U
8th April 1972
Apr 8, 1972 · 80 min
Match of the Day Special Two-match action from Division 1 and The Grand National. Introduced by David Coleman. Manchester City v West Ham United Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wandere
15th April 1972
Apr 15, 1972 · 80 min
Match of the Day: The FA Cup Semi-Finals Birmingham City v Leeds United Action from one of today's FA Cup semi-final ties as Birmingham v Leeds United and Arsenal v Stoke City fi
22nd April 1972
Apr 22, 1972 · 80 min
Two-match action from the last full Saturday Football League programme in season 1971/72. David Coleman introduces action, analysis, interviews. Manchester City v Derby County B
29th April 1972
Apr 29, 1972 · 80 min
International Match of the Day from Wembley featuring The European Football Championship Quarter Final (First Leg) England v West Germany Commentator DAVID COLEMAN with action re
6th May 1972
May 6, 1972 · 80 min
Cup Final Match of the Day Direct from the winners' victory banquet hotel in London's West End. David Coleman introduces action highlights from this afternoon's centenary FA Cup
13th May 1972
May 13, 1972 · 80 min
Match of the Day Special features International Soccer and The Rugby League Cup Final International Soccer: West Germany v England The Quarter Final of the European Football Cham
20th May 1972
May 20, 1972 · 80 min
International Match of the Day Two-match soccer action from the Home International Tournament: Wales v England from Ninian Park, Cardiff Commentator Barry Davies and Scotland v
27th May 1972
May 27, 1972 · 80 min
International Match of the Day Two-match action from the final day of the Home International Tournament: Scotland v England from Hampden Park, Glasgow and Wales v Northern Irela