Not Qualifying for Europe in 74-5

[William Henry Foulkes]

Ok. What did we have to do to get into Europe in the last game of the season in 1975.

It looks like a win would've taken us above Stoke but level on points with Birmingham. Their goal average was much better than ours so we'd've finished 5th. Stoke weren't in Europe in 75-6 so we wouldn't've been either - unless we'd won 10-0 and taken our GA above Birmingham.

That's the way I see it. Anyone know any different?

League table here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974–75_in_English_football#First_Division_3

Sheffield Forum discussion here http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/archive/index.php/t-310507.html

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

This story has been told many times...

Up until 1975 the rule for entry to the UEFA Cup and (Fairs Cup pre 1971) was that only one club from one city could enter. In 74-5, England had 4 qualifers - the League Cup winners - (VIlla) and the top 3 places in Division 1 other than the champions but subject to the 1 club 1 city rule. Liverpool finished 2nd and Ipswich 3rd, so they were in. However, Everton were 4th and, because Liverpool were in, they couldn't qualify and the place went down to the 5th place team. Stoke had finished their fixtures and were 5th. United were 6th, but could finish 5th if they won their last game at Birmingham. We drew 0-0 and thus failed.

But it didn't matter anyway, as UEFA changed the rules in the summer of 75 and Everton qualified after all at Stoke's expense.

From elsewhere.

 

[Silent Blade]

Ok. What did we have to do to get into Europe in the last game of the season in 1975.

It looks like a win would've taken us above Stoke but level on points with Birmingham. Their goal average was much better than ours so we'd've finished 5th. Stoke weren't in Europe in 75-6 so we wouldn't've been either - unless we'd won 10-0 and taken our GA above Birmingham.

That's the way I see it. Anyone know any different?

League table here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974–75_in_English_football#First_Division_3

Sheffield Forum discussion here http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/archive/index.php/t-310507.html

Birmingham were several places below us. Before our match at Birmingham we knew a win would take us to 5th place but we believed that this would clich a place in the 1975-76 UEFA Cup. Derby were champions of the League so they went into the 1975-76 European Cup. Liverpool and Ipswich finished 2nd and 3rd respectively so they had places in the 1975-76 UEFA Cup (Aston Villa won the League Cup so they had an entry into the UEFA Cup). Everton finished 4th but at the time it was thought they were denied a place in the 1975-76 UEFA Cup because of the "one club per city ruling" (Liverpool finished higher than Everton). Stoke were in 5th place hoping that the Blades dont win their last match at Birmingham. We drew 0-0 so Stoke were celebrating thinking that they had a place in the 1974-75 UEFA Cup. A few days later Everton appealed against the "one club per city" ruling and won the appeal so they got the last UEFA Cup spot instead of Stoke