2007–08 in English football
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The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
- Deloitte reports on 4 September 2007 that transfer spending by all Premier League and Football League clubs exceeds £500 million, compared to £300 million spent the season before. Deloitte attributes the rise in spending to the huge increase in broadcasting revenue and new owners buying into Premier League clubs.[1]
[edit] European competitions
- See also: UEFA Champions League 2007–08, UEFA Cup 2007–08, and UEFA Intertoto Cup 2007
In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium.[2] The record was broken the following month when Liverpool defeated Beşiktaş 8–0 at Anfield.[3] All four English clubs competing in the Champions League reached the quarter-finals, resulting in three all-English ties during the competition's latter stages. Liverpool eliminated Arsenal in the quarter-finals, but lost the semi-final to Chelsea, who went on to meet Manchester United in the final in Moscow. United completed the European Double, winning the Premier League two points ahead of Chelsea and winning the UEFA Champions League, again against Chelsea 6–5 on penalties (1–1 after extra time) to lift the European Cup for the third time. This was a unique occurance – the first time two English clubs had met in the final of the European Cup/Champions League. It was also a repeat of the opening game of the season, the FA Community Shield, which also finished 1–1 and saw a United win on penalties, 3–0.
In the UEFA Cup, none of the English teams taking part reached the quarter-final stage. Blackburn Rovers, who had qualified for the competition via the Intertoto Cup, were beaten in the first round by Larissa F.C.. The three other English clubs progressed through the group stages, with Bolton Wanderers losing to Sporting Clube de Portugal, while Tottenham Hotspur and Everton were both eliminated on penalty shootouts in the round of 16, by PSV Eindhoven and Fiorentina respectively. The 2008 UEFA Cup Final was held at the City of Manchester Stadium, the first time that the UEFA Cup Final had been held in England since being reduced to a single match. The event was marred by riots in Manchester city centre prior to the game.[4] In the match itself, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg beat Rangers 2–0 to lift the trophy.[5]
[edit] Premier League
Manchester United won the Premier League for the tenth time, securing the title on the final day of the season. Chelsea were runners-up. Reading F.C., Birmingham City and Derby County were relegated.
- The Premier League underwent a major rebranding, changing sponsored name from the Barclays Premiership to the Barclays Premier League (BPL).
- The Premier League changed the font printed on the back of players' shirts.[6]
- Birmingham City and Sunderland played in the Premier League, returning at the first time of asking since being relegated in 2005–06. They were joined by Derby County. Derby became the first team in Premier League history to be relegated before the end of March.[7] They eventually finished on the lowest points tally ever, amassing only 11 points.
[edit] Football League
After the disappointment of a play-off final defeat the previous year, West Bromwich Albion won the Football League Championship title and returned to the Premier League. Stoke City secured the other automatic promotion spot, after a twenty-three year absence from the top flight. Hull City followed them by winning the play-offs, beating Bristol City 1–0 at Wembley Stadium in the final to reach the top-flight of English football for the first time in their history. Despite impressing on their Championship debut in 2006-07, Colchester United finished bottom this season and were relegated back to League One. Scunthorpe United's first journey into the Championship since the 1960s proved short-lived, and they also went back down. The biggest story however was Leicester City's relegation, as a lack of stability at the club (with no fewer than eight men, including caretakers, occupying the manager's seat over the season) proved their undoing and sent them down to League One for the first time in their history.
In a season mired by controversy and points deductions at both ends of the table, Swansea City were the clear champions in League One. In terms of results, Leeds United were actually the best team behind Swansea, but lost 15 points pre-season for financial irregularities, and so Nottingham Forest were able to take the second automatic promotion spot. Doncaster Rovers won promotion to the Championship by beating Leeds United 1–0 at Wembley Stadium in the League One play-off final, thus returning to the top two tiers for the first time since 1958. At the opposite end of the table, Port Vale were in fact the worst team going by results, but Luton Town went into administration and lost 10 points causing them to finish bottom, though they would have been relegated even without this penalty. Bournemouth also received a 10 point deduction for going into administration, and in their case it did prove fatal, sending the club down by to League Two. Gillingham were the other team to suffer relegation.
Milton Keynes Dons won their first honours as a club, winning the League Two title and the Football League Trophy. The other clubs automatically promoted were runners-up Peterborough United, who had pushed the Dons close for most of the season, and Hereford United, who returned to the third level of English football for the first time in 30 years. Stockport County won promotion to League One by beating Rochdale 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the League Two play-off final. There was to be no repeat of Wrexham's last day heroics of the 2006-07 season, and this time they finished bottom and went out of the League. Despite a good run late in the season, Mansfield Town joined them.
- Brighton & Hove Albion had hoped to be moving to Falmer Stadium during this season. This was following a "Yes" verdict two years ago from the former Secretary of State John Prescott. However, persistent legal challenges from Lewes District Council have delayed this and forced the Government into a fresh assessment. The new Secretary of State finally gave planning permission on 24 July 2007. The stadium is now anticipated to open in 2010.
- Leeds United played in the third tier of English football for the first time in their history, six years after competing in the Champions League. The club started the season on -15 points following their failure to reach an agreement with HM Revenue & Customs on their Creditors Voluntary Arrangement. This penalty was imposed for the first time in league history.
- Sheffield celebrate their 150th anniversary. Sheffield are trying to plan a friendly with Real Madrid to commemorate the fact that they are the only two clubs to receive the FIFA Order of Merit.[8]
- Shrewsbury Town moved to the New Meadow for the start of this season, leaving their old stadium, Gay Meadow.
- Milton Keynes Dons moved to their new 22,000 all seater stadium at Denbigh, Milton Keynes, known as Stadium:mk. The stadium was officially opened on 29 November 2007 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.[9]
- Both Dagenham & Redbridge and Morecambe played in The Football League for the first time, after securing promotion to League 2 from the Conference National.
- Oldham Athletic had planning permission accepted for a redevelopment of their Boundary Park stadium, which will now be called Oldham Arena.
- Hull City played at Wembley Stadium for the first time in their history, winning the Championship play-off final to secure promotion to the top flight for the first time in their 104-year history.[10]
[edit] Cup competitions and Community Shield
Portsmouth won the FA Cup with a 1–0 victory over Cardiff City. Tottenham Hotspur won the Carling Cup, beating the holders Chelsea 2–1 after extra time. It was the first League Cup final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium.[11] MK Dons won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after beating Grimsby Town 2–0 in the final.[12] Manchester United took the first silverware of the season when they beat Chelsea 3–0 on penalties in the FA Community Shield.
[edit] Non-League football
The Conference National became known as the Blue Square Premier upon the announcement of a three year sponsorship deal. The two regional feeder leagues became known as the Blue Square North and South respectively.[13] The deal signals the end of a nine year association between the Conference and the Nationwide Building Society. Aldershot Town won the Conference National to gain automatic promotion to the Football League, while Exeter City beat Cambridge United 1–0 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium to secure the other promotion place.
[edit] Managerial changes
[edit] Notes
- 1 Downing was previously caretaker manager after Ward's departure.
- 2 Scott was previously caretaker manager after Butcher's departure.
- 3 Harford was named caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.
- 4 Blackwell was named caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.
- 5 Davies' caretaker role was extended until the end of the season.
- 6 Holland's caretaker role was extended until the end of the season.
- 7 Mullen was previously caretaker manager after Money's departure.
[edit] Promotion and relegation
- See also: promotion and relegation
Playoff winners in bold.
[edit] Premier League
- Champions: Manchester United
- Champions League 2008/09 Qualifiers : Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool
- UEFA Cup 2008/09 Qualifiers : Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Manchester City and Portsmouth
- Relegated to The Championship : Derby County, Birmingham City and Reading
[edit] Championship
- Champions: West Bromwich Albion
- Promoted: Stoke City
- Playoffs : Hull City, Bristol City, Watford and Crystal Palace
- Relegated: Leicester City, Scunthorpe United and Colchester United
[edit] League One
- Champions: Swansea City
- Promoted: Nottingham Forest
- Playoffs : Doncaster Rovers, Leeds United ,Southend United and Carlisle United
- Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Gillingham, Port Vale and Luton Town
[edit] League Two
- Champions: Milton Keynes Dons
- Promoted: Peterborough United, Hereford United
- Playoffs : Stockport County, Rochdale, Darlington and Wycombe Wanderers
- Relegated: Mansfield Town and Wrexham
[edit] Blue Square Premier
- Champions: Aldershot
- Play-offs: Cambridge United, Torquay United, Exeter City and Burton Albion
- Relegated: Altrincham*, Farsley Celtic, Stafford Rangers and Droylsden
- Promoted to: Kettering Town, Lewes, Eastbourne Borough and Barrow
*Altrincham avoided relegation after Halifax Town went into liquidation
[edit] National team
The England played their first international match on a synthetic pitch against Russia. England lost the game 2–1[99] leaving qualification for Euro 2008 out of their hands. England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after losing 3–2 to Croatia on 21 November 2007.[100] As a result, England manager Steve McClaren was sacked the following day.[101] Fabio Capello was confirmed as the new England manager on 14 December 2007. Capello was unveiled by The FA on 17 December 2007, and took up his new role on 7 January 2008.[102]
[edit] Results
The home team is listed on the left; the visiting one on the right.
| 22 August 2007 friendly match |
 England |
1 – 2 | Germany  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 86,133 Referee: Massimo Busacca |
Lampard  9'Cole  34' |
(Report) | Kuranyi 26' Pander 40' |
| 8 September 2007 Euro 2008 qualifier |
England |
3 – 0 | Israel  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 85,372 Referee: Pieter Vink |
| Wright-Phillips 20' Owen 49'Richards 66'Terry 67' |
(Report) | Gershon 15' Benado 45'Ziv 55'Aouate 66' |
| 12 September 2007 Euro 2008 qualifier |
England |
3 – 0 | Russia  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 86,106 Referee: Martin Hansson |
| Owen 7' 31' Cole 79'Ferdinand 84' |
(Report) |
| 13 October 2007 Euro 2008 qualifier |
England |
3 – 0 | Estonia  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 86,655 Referee: Nicolai Vollquartz |
| Wright-Phillips 11' Rooney 32'Rähn 33' (o.g.) |
(Report) | Rähn 12' Lindpere 73' |
| 17 October 2007 Euro 2008 qualifier |
Russia |
2 – 1 | England |
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow Attendance: 84,700 Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo |
| Berezutskiy 12' Pavlyuchenko 69' (pen.) 73' 74' |
(Report) | Rooney 29' 69' Ferdinand 59' |
| 2007-11-16 friendly match |
 Austria |
0 – 1 | England |
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna Attendance: 39,432 Referee: Nicolai Vollquartz |
| (Report) | Crouch 44' |
| 2007-11-21 Euro 2008 qualifier |
England |
2 – 3 | Croatia  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 88,091 Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt |
| Lampard 56' (pen.) Crouch 65' |
(Report) | Kranjčar 8' Olić 14'Petrić 77' |
| 2008-02-06 friendly match |
England |
2 – 1 | Switzerland  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 86,857 Referee: Felix Brych |
| Jenas 40' Wright-Phillips 62' |
(Report) | Derdiyok 58' |
| 2008-03-26 friendly match |
 France |
1 – 0 | England |
Stade de France, Paris Attendance: 78,500 Referee: Florian Meyer |
| Ribery 32' (pen.) |
(Report) |
| 2008-05-28 friendly match |
England |
2 – 0 | United States  |
Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 71,233 Referee: Kyros Vassaras |
| Terry 38' Gerrard 59' |
(Report) |
| 2008-06-01 friendly match |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
0 – 3 | England |
Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain Attendance: 25,001 Referee: Enrico Wijngaarde (  Suriname) |
| (Report) | Barry 12' Defoe 16' 49'Gerrard |