During May the Club Board appointed Geoffrey McPherson as its new chairman replacing Stuart Dryden. On 30 May 1980 McPherson negotiated a three-year new contract for the soccer pair (Clough-Taylor) after they won the European Cup Final. The club reinforced the squad with Forward Ian Wallace bought from Coventry City in £1.25 million and Swiss player Raimondo Ponte from Grasshopper Club Zürich in expect to boost an already ageing midfield. On 15 October the club transferred out Garry Birtles after Manchester United paid a £1.25 million fee prompting the arrival of Forward Peter Ward from Brighton and Hove Albion a former player of Taylor. In spite of these new arrivals, during the season the team plummeted to the mid-table, and by Spring the midfield was weakened after the departures of Martin O'Neill, Raimondo Ponte, Ian Bowyer and defender Larry Lloyd. Forward Trevor Francis suffered an injury that shattered the ofensive line chances with not playing until 20 December missing the first half of the season. In League the squad finished on a disappointing 7th place 10 massive points behind Champions Aston Villa and not qualifying for the upcoming 1981-82 UEFA Cup thanks to a draw 1-1 against Coventry City on the final round losing the European spot by goal average to Southampton F.C..