Preston North End, who had been the first team to achieve the League and FA Cup "double", was relegated in last place – and to date have not returned to the top flight of English football.

The 1960–61 season was the inaugural staging of the Football League Cup, The tournament was won by Aston Villa, who beat Rotherham United 3–2 on aggregate after extra time.

* indicates new record for competition Football Writers' Association Tottenham Hotspur became the first team in the 20th century to win the double, finishing eight points ahead of runners-up Sheffield Wednesday.

Wolves, Everton and defending champions Burnley completed the top five, while FA Cup runners-up Leicester City were in sixth place and Manchester United finished seventh for the second season running.

Peterborough United enjoyed a blistering debut in the Football League, finding the net 134 times (with 52 goals coming from centre-forward Terry Bly) and clinching the Fourth Division title.