1931–32 in English football

57th season of competitive football in England

The 1931–32 season was the 57th season of competitive football in England.

With a full programme of New Year fixtures across all four divisions, The Times highlighted in particular Aston Villa's clash with high-flying Newcastle United. Villa had recently beaten Newcastle 3-0. Sheffield United were noted as a young team showing splendid form, while Blackburn Rovers were improving after a disastrous start. The Highlight of the Second Division was Bury v Plymouth Argyle.^[1]

Events

• 7 November 1931: William Richardson 'Ginger' Richardson scored four goals in five minutes for West Bromwich Albion against West Ham United at Upton Park, a record that is still in the Guinness Book of Records.^{[citation needed]}
• 19 March 1932: Stanley Matthews, 17-year-old winger, makes his debut for Stoke City in a 2-1 league win over Bury at Gigg Lane.^[2]

Honours

Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour. * indicates new record for competition

Football League

First Division

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Second Division

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Third Division North

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:

1. Wigan Borough resigned from the Football League on 21 October and folded. Their record (P12 W3 D1 L8 F12 A32 GA 0.375 Pts 7) was expunged.

Third Division South

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Top goalscorers

First Division

• Dixie Dean (Everton) – 44 goals^[3]

Second Division

• Cyril Pearce (Swansea Town) – 35 goals^[3]

Third Division North

• Alan Hall (Lincoln City) – 42 goals^[4]

Third Division South

• Clarrie Bourton (Coventry City) – 49 goals^[4]

References

1. Association Football, The Times 1 January 1932
2. "Sir Stanley Matthews 1915-2000: A Potteries hero". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
3. "English League Leading Goalscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
4. "English League Leading Goalscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 August 2017.