Jim Steel (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William James "Jim" Steel (born Dumfries
, 4 December 1959 and raised in nearby Dalbeattie
) is a Scottish
former professional
association footballer. A big, aggressive player, his position was centre forward.
After starting his career with Oldham Athletic
in 1978, he moved onto Port Vale
in March 1983 for a £10,000 fee, following loan spells at Wigan Athletic
and Wrexham. He won promotion with the club in 1982–83
, before he joined Wrexham for £10,000 in January 1984. He scored a critical goal in his two European campaigns during his four years with the club, and also lifted the Welsh Cup
. He then enjoyed numerous successes with Tranmere Rovers
after joining the club in 1987. During his five years the club won promotion twice, and reached the final of the Football League Trophy
twice, winning it in 1990. He retired in 1992, having made 485 league appearances in a fourteen year career in the Football League
, scoring 118 goals.
for Oldham Athletic
. Steel went on to play over 100 first team games for the Latics, all with Oldham in the second tier of the English football league system
.
Frizzell was dismissed in early 1982 and Steel was unable to establish himself under new manager Joe Royle
. Steel had loans spells with Wigan Athletic
(scoring two goals in his two league games) and Wrexham where he scored six goals from his nine league games. Steel left Oldham in March 1983 after making 108 league appearances and scoring 24 goals.
for £10,000 in March 1983. He played in every game for the rest of that season
as the club were promoted from the Fourth Division
in 3rd place. Vale struggled the next season though and in December 1983 Steel lost his place in the team and McGrath lost his job.
Following Welsh Cup
final defeat to Shrewsbury Town
, Wrexham took on an F.C. Porto side of numerous then current Portuguese
internationalists in the 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup (Shrewsbury as an English club could not represent Wales in European competition). Wrexham won the home leg 1–0 courtesy of Steel's goal. Steel took the ball on his chest in the centre circle with his back to goal, and volleyed the dropping ball for John Muldoon to attack and cross from the right wing into the penalty area. Steel jumped to direct a bullet header past Petar Borota
.
In the second leg Porto were 3–0 up after 38 minutes. The Welsh club pulled two goals back before half time. In the 61st minute Paulo Futre
restored Porto's aggregate lead before Wrexham's last minute strike meant the game finished 4–3 with Wrexham advancing on away goals.
The second round draw paired Wrexham with the previous season's European Cup
runners up, A.S. Roma
, managed by Sven Goran Eriksson. Wrexham lost 3–0 on aggregate over the two legs. Steel said of the adventure, "We went to Porto
and there was a bloody hurricane
. We come to Rome
and the bloody shops are shut. When we play in Russia
, Reagan
will probably have the place blown up."
With Steel scoring both goals in a Welsh Cup final replay 2–1 win over Kidderminster Harriers
, Wrexham appeared in the 1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup with a first round draw against Maltese
side Żurrieq
, whom they beat 7–0 on aggregate. Steel scored in Wrexham in the second leg. This earned a second round tie against Real Zaragoza
which brought two goalless draws. At home in extra time in the second leg Wrexham matched the two goals by Patricio Yáñez
. However on this occasion away-goals counted against Steel's side.
who became the third club for whom he past the 100 first team appearances mark. For a then club record transfer fee, Steel was signed by Johnny King to act as target man for striker Ian Muir
and Mr Wells got his loan repaid. They enjoyed considerable success together in the seasons to follow.
At the end of that 1987–88 season, Tranmere played at Wembley on the weekend of April 16/17th in the 16 team Football League Centenary Tournament
. A good mid-season run of form saw Rovers qualify as one of the fourth division's two representatives. Tranmere were the surprise package of an otherwise derided tournament, beating first division sides Wimbledon and Newcastle United
before losing on penalties to eventual winners Nottingham Forest
in the semi final. This became the first of five trips to Wembley for Tranmere in Steel's time at Prenton Park
.
Tranmere won promotion as Fourth Division runners-up in 1989. In the same season Rovers knocked top division Middlesbrough
out 1–0 of the League Cup
. Top division Millwall
were knocked out 3–2 of the same competition the season after. Steel scored with a massive looping header against the Tottenham Hotspur
side of Gary Lineker
and Paul Gascoigne
in a 2–2 draw in the next round to earn a replay. In October 1991 another top flight team, Chelsea
, took a league cup exit at Prenton Park when they lost 3–1.
Rovers in their first season in the third division, 1989–90, earned a place in the playoffs after finishing in fourth place. Notts County won 2–0 in the Playoff Final at Wembley Stadium. A week later at the Twin Towers Rovers defeated Third Division Champions, Bristol Rovers
, 2–1 in the final of the Leyland D.A.F Trophy
. This was Tranmere's first national piece of silverware. Club record scorer Ian Muir gave Tranmere an early lead with a volleyed strike. Devon White
gave Bristol Rovers an equaliser early in the second half before Steel headed a late winner.
Tranmere Rovers went one better in the 1990–91 season, winning the Third Division playoffs with a 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers
after Rovers finished in fifth place. Chris Malkin
's extra time goal helped the club to promotion to the Second Division for the first time since the 1930s. Once again, Rovers made an appearance in the Leyland D.A.F Trophy final, this time losing 3–2 to Birmingham City
with Steel again scoring. This made the play-off victory over Bolton Tranmere's fourth appearance in a Wembley final in just over a year.
The 1991 promotion meant Steel played his last season at the level at which he began his senior career, England's second tier. Rovers finished their first season back at this level, 1991–92, comfortably in mid table.
Steel scored 29 goals in 174 Tranmere league games after which he retired from professional football at the age of 32.
Wrexham:
Tranmere Rovers:
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
, 4 December 1959 and raised in nearby Dalbeattie
Dalbeattie
Dalbeattie is a town in Dumfries and Galloway , Scotland.Dalbeattie is situated in a wooded valley on the Urr Water east of Castle Douglas and south west of Dumfries...
) is a Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
former professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
association footballer. A big, aggressive player, his position was centre forward.
After starting his career with Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
in 1978, he moved onto Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in March 1983 for a £10,000 fee, following loan spells at Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
and Wrexham. He won promotion with the club in 1982–83
1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
, before he joined Wrexham for £10,000 in January 1984. He scored a critical goal in his two European campaigns during his four years with the club, and also lifted the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
. He then enjoyed numerous successes with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
after joining the club in 1987. During his five years the club won promotion twice, and reached the final of the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
twice, winning it in 1990. He retired in 1992, having made 485 league appearances in a fourteen year career in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, scoring 118 goals.
Oldham Athletic
The teenage Jim Steel was signed as an apprentice by Jimmy FrizzellJimmy Frizzell
James "Jimmy" Frizzell is a former Scottish association football player and manager.Frizzell was appointed a patron of Oldham Athletic's supporters' trust, Trust Oldham in 2004.-Playing career:...
for Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. Steel went on to play over 100 first team games for the Latics, all with Oldham in the second tier of the English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
.
Frizzell was dismissed in early 1982 and Steel was unable to establish himself under new manager Joe Royle
Joe Royle
Joseph "Joe" Royle is an English football manager. In his club career, he played for Everton , Manchester City, Bristol City, Norwich City, and the England national team...
. Steel had loans spells with Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
(scoring two goals in his two league games) and Wrexham where he scored six goals from his nine league games. Steel left Oldham in March 1983 after making 108 league appearances and scoring 24 goals.
Port Vale
Aged 23, Steel was bought by John McGrath at Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
for £10,000 in March 1983. He played in every game for the rest of that season
1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
as the club were promoted from the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 3rd place. Vale struggled the next season though and in December 1983 Steel lost his place in the team and McGrath lost his job.
Wrexham
The month after his 24th birthday Steel returned to Wrexham for £10,000 in January 1984 who became the second club for whom he passed the 100 first team appearances mark. Of his non loan moves this was his most prolific period in front of goal with 51 strikes in his 164 league games. Wrexham at the time could not afford the £10,000 transfer fee, but Steel joined the club after an interest-free loan was made to the club by a supporter David Wells, a businessman from Mold.Following Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
final defeat to Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, Wrexham took on an F.C. Porto side of numerous then current Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
internationalists in the 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup (Shrewsbury as an English club could not represent Wales in European competition). Wrexham won the home leg 1–0 courtesy of Steel's goal. Steel took the ball on his chest in the centre circle with his back to goal, and volleyed the dropping ball for John Muldoon to attack and cross from the right wing into the penalty area. Steel jumped to direct a bullet header past Petar Borota
Petar Borota
Petar Borota was a Serbian footballer who played as a goalkeeper, most notably for Partizan and Chelsea....
.
In the second leg Porto were 3–0 up after 38 minutes. The Welsh club pulled two goals back before half time. In the 61st minute Paulo Futre
Paulo Futre
Paulo Jorge dos Santos Futre is a retired Portuguese professional footballer who played mostly as a left winger.After exploding at Sporting Clube de Portugal well before his 20th birthday, he soon moved to Futebol Clube do Porto, after which he embarked in an extensive career - until 1998 - having...
restored Porto's aggregate lead before Wrexham's last minute strike meant the game finished 4–3 with Wrexham advancing on away goals.
The second round draw paired Wrexham with the previous season's European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
runners up, A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
, managed by Sven Goran Eriksson. Wrexham lost 3–0 on aggregate over the two legs. Steel said of the adventure, "We went to Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
and there was a bloody hurricane
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
. We come to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and the bloody shops are shut. When we play in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
will probably have the place blown up."
With Steel scoring both goals in a Welsh Cup final replay 2–1 win over Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, Wrexham appeared in the 1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup with a first round draw against Maltese
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
side Żurrieq
Zurrieq F.C.
Żurrieq Football Club is a football club in the Mediterranean island of Malta. It was founded in 1949 and is the club based in the town of Zurrieq in the South of Malta....
, whom they beat 7–0 on aggregate. Steel scored in Wrexham in the second leg. This earned a second round tie against Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
which brought two goalless draws. At home in extra time in the second leg Wrexham matched the two goals by Patricio Yáñez
Patricio Yáñez
Patricio Nazario Yáñez Candia is a retired football Left Winger from Chile, who obtained 43 caps for his national team, scoring five goals. He made his debut on June 13, 1979 in a friendly against Ecuador, replacing Jorge Neumann, and had his last match on November 16, 1994 against Argentina...
. However on this occasion away-goals counted against Steel's side.
Tranmere Rovers
Aged 27 Steel in late 1987 next played for Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
who became the third club for whom he past the 100 first team appearances mark. For a then club record transfer fee, Steel was signed by Johnny King to act as target man for striker Ian Muir
Ian Muir
Ian James Muir is an English former professional football striker who scored 146 goals from 330 appearances in the Football League playing for Queens Park Rangers, Burnley, Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers and Darlington.He also played in the Hong Kong First...
and Mr Wells got his loan repaid. They enjoyed considerable success together in the seasons to follow.
At the end of that 1987–88 season, Tranmere played at Wembley on the weekend of April 16/17th in the 16 team Football League Centenary Tournament
Football League Centenary Tournament
The Football League Centenary Tournament was held from April 16 to April 17, 1988 at Wembley Stadium to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Football League...
. A good mid-season run of form saw Rovers qualify as one of the fourth division's two representatives. Tranmere were the surprise package of an otherwise derided tournament, beating first division sides Wimbledon and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
before losing on penalties to eventual winners Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in the semi final. This became the first of five trips to Wembley for Tranmere in Steel's time at Prenton Park
Prenton Park
Prenton Park is an association football stadium in Birkenhead, England. It is the home ground of Tranmere Rovers F.C. The club moved to the current Prenton Park in 1912. The ground has had several rebuilds, with the most recent occurring in 1995 in response to the requirement of the Taylor Report...
.
Tranmere won promotion as Fourth Division runners-up in 1989. In the same season Rovers knocked top division Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
out 1–0 of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. Top division Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
were knocked out 3–2 of the same competition the season after. Steel scored with a massive looping header against the Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
side of Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker
Gary Winston Lineker, OBE , is a former English footballer, who played as a striker. He is a sports broadcaster for the BBC, Al Jazeera Sports and Eredivisie Live...
and Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
in a 2–2 draw in the next round to earn a replay. In October 1991 another top flight team, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, took a league cup exit at Prenton Park when they lost 3–1.
Rovers in their first season in the third division, 1989–90, earned a place in the playoffs after finishing in fourth place. Notts County won 2–0 in the Playoff Final at Wembley Stadium. A week later at the Twin Towers Rovers defeated Third Division Champions, Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, 2–1 in the final of the Leyland D.A.F Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
. This was Tranmere's first national piece of silverware. Club record scorer Ian Muir gave Tranmere an early lead with a volleyed strike. Devon White
Devon White (footballer)
Devon Timothy White is a former professional footballer who played as a striker for seven different Football League clubs.-Playing career:...
gave Bristol Rovers an equaliser early in the second half before Steel headed a late winner.
Tranmere Rovers went one better in the 1990–91 season, winning the Third Division playoffs with a 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
after Rovers finished in fifth place. Chris Malkin
Chris Malkin
Christopher Gregory Malkin is a former English professional football player. He played as a centre-forward....
's extra time goal helped the club to promotion to the Second Division for the first time since the 1930s. Once again, Rovers made an appearance in the Leyland D.A.F Trophy final, this time losing 3–2 to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
with Steel again scoring. This made the play-off victory over Bolton Tranmere's fourth appearance in a Wembley final in just over a year.
The 1991 promotion meant Steel played his last season at the level at which he began his senior career, England's second tier. Rovers finished their first season back at this level, 1991–92, comfortably in mid table.
Steel scored 29 goals in 174 Tranmere league games after which he retired from professional football at the age of 32.
Honours
Port Vale:- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
: Promoted (1982–83)
Wrexham:
- Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
: Champions (1985–86)
Tranmere Rovers:
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
: Promoted (1988–89) - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
: Promotion play off runners-up (1989–90), winners (1990–91) - Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
: Winners (1989–90), runners-up (1990–91)