THE 1980'S got off to a sad start as former North End player and Liverpool manager Bill Shankly died after a magnificent career in football, writes Tom Parker.

Former Liverpool striker John Toshack guided Swansea City into the top division only four seasons after they were in the Fourth Division.

1981 saw a change in the points system as a win would now be rewarded by three points instead of two.

Aston Villa won the Championship chased home by Ipswich Town and Arsenal while the F.A Cup went to Tottenham after a five-goal thriller against Manchester City. Blackpool were relegated to the Fourth Division.

Liverpool manager Bob retired in 1983 after an amazing nine years during which time he won six championships and three European Cups.

Newly promoted Watford were the surprise package as they beat Manchester United into second place behind Liverpool. Bob Paisley's departure at Anfield put Joe Fagan in the Liverpool hot seat and it was business as usual as the Reds win the 1984 championship.

Sadly, this was the era of football hooliganism and the world of football was plunged into a series of official inquiries.

Goals were there in abundance and in the Lancashire derby between Blackburn and Bolton, Rovers' Simon Garner scored five goals as Tony Caldwell did the same for Bolton.

1986 saw Ron Atkinson's departure from Man United. Alex Ferguson took over as manager but Liverpool continued to dominate the top division.

The following year was a triumph for Preston as they where promoted along with Northampton.

Tommy Docherty started his new job as manager at Altrincham. Four months later he left.

Wimbledon sprang a major Cup Final shock in 1988 as they beat Liverpool 1-0 as Lawrie Sanchez scored the winner. John Aldridge became the first player to miss a penalty in the F.A. Cup Final.

Wimbledon keeper Dave Beasant was the first goalkeeper to captain an F.A. Cup winning team.

Alan Shearer got into the record books as the youngest player, at 17 years and 140 days, to score a hat-trick in the First Division when he got three for Southampton against Arsenal.

Peter Shilton beat Terry Paine's record when he played his 825th league match.

The 1989 F.A. Cup brought an amazing result as Coventry City were beaten 2-1 by Sutton United from the GM Vauxhall Conference.

Brighton goalkeeper Perry Digweed failed to turn up for the fixture against Scunthorpe United because the manager didn't tell him he was playing. Amazing!

The 1989 championship went to Arsenal in dramatic fashion. The last match of the season pitched them against Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool simply had to not lose by two goals to do the Double having already beaten Everton to win the F.A. Cup.

Nil-nil at half-time and Liverpool had one hand on the Championship Trophy.

Then, Alan Smith's disputed goal save Arsenal the lead early in the second half.

Time was past the 90 minutes when with the last attack of the match, Arsenal tried once more.

Dixon played a long ball to Smith who touched it on into the path of Michael Thomas. Surrounded by Liverpool defenders he found a way through and steered the ball wide of the keeper as the travelling army of Highbury support went wild.

Arsenal took the title in the most dramatic finish to any season.

Next week, we shall look at the 1990's and a transfer market that went wild.