As of this season, goal difference (GD in league tables) was used to separate the clubs finishing level on points.
Writing in The Observer, sportswriter Bob Houston noted that the season opener was "the day the Football League went Continental, arming its referees with those coloured cards we've all learned to watch for in European and World Cup matches.
"[1] On 2 October 1976, Dave Wagstaffe of Blackburn Rovers became the first player in Football League history to be shown the red card when he was sent off in a 1-0 win over Orient in a Division 2 match.
[2] Liverpool retained their league championship trophy and won their first European Cup to confirm Bob Paisley as a successful replacement for Bill Shankly in his third season at the helm.
The British pop star Elton John took over Fourth Division side Watford and installed Graham Taylor as manager.
Former Arsenal manager Bertie Mee came out of retirement to work at Watford as assistant to Graham Taylor.
[4] Despite failing to win any of their final four matches,[6] Liverpool retained the First Division title against a strong challenge by Manchester City and went on to win the European Cup for the first time, although their bid for a unique treble was ended when they lost to Manchester United in the final of the FA Cup.
Brian Clough steered Nottingham Forest into the final promotion place, while Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool missed out by a single point.