* indicates new record for competition Leeds United won the FA Cup for the first time in their history by beating the previous year's winners, Arsenal, 1–0 in the final at Wembley.

in the semi-final against West Ham United, John Ritchie's goal and a penalty save from Gordon Banks had earned Stoke a replay at Hillsborough,[2] which ended in a draw.

In the second semi-final replay, at Old Trafford, Stoke overcome a West Ham side forced to make Bobby Moore their stand-in goalkeeper, putting them through to the League Cup Final for the first time.

Leeds, who had won the FA Cup for the first time of their history, could have completed the double by avoiding defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but instead lost 2–1.

There were bribery allegations from The Sun newspaper regarding Leeds's manager Don Revie, who stood accused of attempting to bribe Wolves on the final day of the season.

Their captain Billy Bremner won a high court battle to clear his name of the allegations, with evidence provided by the Wolves striker Derek Dougan.

The 3–2 aggregate win by Tottenham Hotspur gave them the second European trophy in their history[11] 8 July 1971: Bill Shankly signs a three-year contract as Liverpool manager which will keep him in charge until the end of the 1973–74 season.

[12] 7 August 1971: The 1971 FA Charity Shield is held, but without reigning League and Cup winners Arsenal, who are on a pre-season tour abroad.

The Shield was won by Second Division champions Leicester City, who beat 1971 FA Cup Final runners-up Liverpool with a Steve Whitworth goal; Arsenal were beaten 1–0 by Feyenoord.

[15] 10 November 1971: England draw 1-1 with Switzerland at Wembley to leave them in pole position to qualify for the European Championship quarter finals.

[17] 23 February 1972: Second division Sheffield Wednesday host touring Brazilians Santos at Hillsborough stadium in a match played on a weekday afternoon due to the miners' strike.

[17] 6, 7 Match 1972: Derby County manager Brian Clough announces the signing of Nottingham Forest striker Ian Storey-Moore; this is disputed by the selling club and the player is in fact sold to Manchester United for £200,000.

Leeds would have overtaken Derby on goal average had they drawn with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, but lose 2-1, while Liverpool draw 0-0 with Arsenal at Highbury.