2019–20 in English football: Difference between revisions

| schampions = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]

|location = [[Southampton]], [[England]]

| location = [[Harrison, New Jersey]]

| location = [[Frisco, Texas]]

|time=20:30 [[Central EuropeanUTC+03:00#Arabia SummerStandard Time|CESTAST]] ([[UTC+0203:00|UTC+23]])

{{:2019–20 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group C|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|showteam=MCMCI}}

{{:2019–20 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group H|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules|showteam=CHLCHE}}

!Promoted to league {{rise|b}}

!Relegated from league {{fall|b}}

* [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|MK Dons]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Bradford City F.C.|Bradford City]] {{fall|b}}

*[[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] {{rise|b}}

*[[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]] {{rise|b}}

*[[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] {{fall|b}}

*[[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Chorley F.C.|Chorley]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Woking F.C.|Woking]] {{rise|b}}

* [[Braintree Town F.C.|Braintree Town]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Gateshead F.C.|Gateshead]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Havant & Waterlooville F.C.|Havant & Waterlooville]] {{fall|b}}

* [[Maidstone United F.C.|Maidstone United]] {{fall|b}}

Amid uncertainty and calls for the season to be rendered null and void in the midst of the pandemic, the FA voted for both the Premier League and the Championship to finish their respective campaigns – a decision that finally helped Liverpool, after decades of heart-breakheartbreak, near-misses and rebuilding, to end their long wait and win their first league title since 1990, astaking wellthe lead in mid-August and not surrendering it all season, holding a double-digit lead from Boxing Day and aseventually breaking the record for the earliest top-flight win in history, whilst also extending their unbeaten league run at Anfield to a third successive season and 59 games – despite a succession of dropped points in their remaining games ensuredensuring they'd would miss out on breaking any of the previously set title-winning records on top of an early exit in the Champions League knockout stage, the Reds won both the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in the first half of the season to mark one of their most successful campaigns since 2001. Finishing second were Manchester City, who had been widely tipped to build on their domestic treble the previous season – however, they endured arguably one of the most disappointing title defences in the club's history, losing ground on Liverpool as early as their second game and suffering a number of unexpected and poor defeats, including home-and-away to both Wolverhampton Wanderers and city rivals Manchester United, a decision ultimately put down to the club's failure to replace departing captain [[Vincent Kompany]] and then losing key players [[Leroy Sane]] and [[Aymeric Laporte]] to long-term injuries; despite this, City were at least able to earn silverware, winning their fifth League Cup in seven seasons.

In similar circumstances to the previous season, the battle for the remaining top-four spots went down to the final day – and saw Chelsea and Manchester United scrape through at the expense of Leicester City; Chelsea's first season under new head coach and former player [[Frank Lampard]] proved largely indifferent, conceding far more goals than all of the top ten, but they managed enough consistency to ensure Champions League football, whilst a largely underwhelming 2020 went against Leicester, who lost a winner-takes-all final day game against United, the Red Devils securing Champions League football despite an inconsistent 2019 – the arrival of midfielder [[Bruno Fernandes (footballer, born 1994)|Bruno Fernandes]] in the winter transfer window helping to reinvigorate the team. An uneven start to the season for Tottenham Hotspur ultimately saw manager [[Mauricio Pochettino]] sacked after five -and -a -half years at the helm; whilst the installation of [[Jose Mourinho]] helped push the club back up the table and into a late battle to ensure Europa League football for the next campaign, an early exit in the Champions League and poor performances across domestic cup competitions put paid to any hopes of Spurs winning a trophy – with similar performances in the league raising questions about Mourinho's long-term tactics.

The race for the automatic promotion spots proved competitive, both before the season was suspended and after the decision was made to resume following a vote by the FA. But in the end, Leeds United made up for their play-off semi-final disappointment the previous year and returned to the Premier League for the first time since 2004 in [[Marcelo Bielsa]]'s second season as manager, the Yorkshire club remaining in the promotion positions all season despite poor January form and ensuring both promotion and the champions' spot before their penultimate game. The battle for second place proved to be just as hotly contested with three teams in the mix in the last round of games, but West Bromwich Albion successfully held off strong runs of form from both Brentford and Fulham to end a two-year absence from the top-flight, giving [[Slaven Bilić]] promotion in his first season as head coach. Both London clubs therefore qualified for the play-offs, alongside Welsh clubs Cardiff City and Swansea City, the latter managed to leapfrog Nottingham Forest in the closing minutes of the season on goals scored - Forest being left to rue a six-game win-lesswinless run, having been all but guaranteed a top-six finish at the start of July; the playoffs were then\ won by Fulham, making an immediate return to the Premier League while giving [[Scott Parker]] a successful first full season in management.

The battle at the bottom of the table ended up being one of the tightest in the history of the second tier, with all three relegation spots left wide open going into the last game – and in the end, it was ultimately Hull City, Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic who dropped into League One; Hull's relegation came after a complete collapse in form in the second half of the season, the accumulation of just six points after New Year's Day and the sale of key players Kamil Grosicki and Jarred Bowen helping to condemn the Tigers to the third tier for the first time since 2005. Wigan controversially took the second spot, suffering a 12-point deduction for entering administration and falling into the bottom three after the final whistle as a result, despite an outstanding run of form after the season resumed that included an 8–0 win at home over Hull. Charlton Athletic suffered immediate relegation back to the third tier, the London club being left to rue a run of just one win between the middle of October and the end of January despite securing some positive results in their closing games. Having been nearly adrift at the turn of the year, Luton Town saw a resurgence of their own that saw them fight their way to safety, the Hatters being helped by the return of influential manager [[Nathan Jones (Welsh footballer)|Nathan Jones]] during the suspension, whilst Barnsley defied the odds and poor form in the first half of the season to secure their place in the second tier.

With the season postponed in March, clubs in both League One and League Two found enough votes to agree to end the season - using Points-Per-Game to help solidify a final points total, both Coventry City and Rotherham United were automatically promoted; the Sky Blues' promotion came just three years after relegation to League Two and eight years after having fallen out of the second tier, marking a remarkable turn of events for the club despite off-field issues that saw them being forced to ground-sharegroundshare with Birmingham City, whilst the Millers secured a second instant return to the Championship in two years (making this the fourth consecutive season that they moved between the Championship and League One), in spite of having fallen off the top of the table just prior to the season being suspended. The final qualifying spot was taken by Wycombe Wanderers, who stormed through the play-offs to record the Buckinghamshire club's first ever promotion to the Championship; whilst they had dropped off the top of the table over the festive period and then dropped further down, the Chairboys recovered enough before the season was postponed to ensure a third-place finish through Points-Ger-Game and give long-term manager [[Gareth Ainsworth]] his second promotion with the club in three seasons.

Losing out in the play-off final were Oxford United, who missed out on a chance to return to the second tier for the first time since the end of the 20th century; none-the-lessnonetheless, the U's enjoyed a fantastic season, which included making the quarter-finals of the League Cup and thrashing Premier League side West Ham 4–0 along the way. A poor start to the season ultimately cost Sunderland a second successive chance of promotion despite an improvement with new manager [[Phil Parkinson]], whilst a superb start for Ipswich Town completely fell apart in the New Year, consigning the Tractor Boys to another season in the third tier; both clubs had advocated resuming the season. Lincoln City were another club who had started well, giving hope for a second promotion in a row, but a poor start under new management after the departure of [[Danny Cowley]] to Huddersfield Town saw results drop off, leaving them closer to relegation in the table - nevertheless, safety was secured by virtue of the season ending early, a decision that gave fellow promoted side Milton Keynes Dons a second season in League One.

Bury's season practically ended before it started, financial troubles ultimately seeing the club expelled from the Football League altogether, the first team to suffer this fate since [[Maidstone United F.C. (1897)|Maidstone United]] in 1992. As a result, only three teams were relegated when the season concluded; Bolton Wanderers, Southend United and Tranmere Rovers. Bolton's relegation came amid similar finance issues to Bury, though they were able to find new ownership to avoid expulsion; however, their points deduction would have had no bearing on their battle to escape the drop, as terrible early-season form and a lack of wins helped consign the Trotters to a second consecutive relegation, meaning they would be playing in the fourth tier for the first time since 1988 next season. Southend United fared little better, only finishing above Bolton because of the points deduction and only avoiding conceding 100 goals because of the season finishing early, suffering relegation after five seasons in the third tier. Despite finding form in the early months of 2020, Tranmere could not escape the relegation zone before the season was suspended and suffered an immediate relegation back to League Two - though they did have some positives in their season, including managing to come from 3–0 down to hold Watford in the FA Cup at Vicarage Road and then beat them in the replay.

As with League One, League Two also opted to end the season early following its postponement in March - this gave Swindon Town, Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle automatic promotion. Just three years after falling into the fourth tier, Swindon finally picked up enough points to return to League One, thanks in part to the impressive goal-scoring efforts of Irish forward [[Eoin Doyle]]. Crewe's promotion came four years after suffering relegation themselves and to the surprise of many, considering their previous campaigns had seen them either only avoid relegation or finish in mid-table; nevertheless, the Railwaymen enjoyed a good season before it had been postponed, managing to win promotion with the most goals scored. Having just missed out on avoiding the drop into League Two the previous season, Plymouth bounced back in style as they sealed an immediate return to the third tier, thanks in part to the experience of new manager [[Ryan Lowe]], who had helped expelled club Bury to promotion the previous year despite off-field problems. Taking the final spot via the play-offs were Northampton Town, who ended a two-year spell outside of the third tier in dramatic style; the Cobblers had actually lost five out of seven league games prior to the season being suspended, a run that nearly saw them fall out of the play-off places altogether, before losing their first play-off leg - however, the team rallied and processed to win both the second leg and then the final at Wembley by big scorelines, ending [[Keith Curle]]'s first full season as manager in some style.

Exeter City endured another troubling attempt at promotion, having been largely in the top three for most of the season before falling into the play-offs before the suspension of the season; whilst they achieved a comeback result in the playoffs, their crushing loss at the hands of Northampton Town ensured a third play-off final loss in four seasons. Missing out on the play-offs as a result of the usage of Points-Per-Game were Bradford City, despite looking like they'd would bounce back from relegation the previous year, Forest Green Rovers, who were looking to build on having made the play-off semi-finals the previous year, and even Salford City, who defied all their critics and took to their first season in the Football League very well. Following the unexpected and tragic death of manager [[Justin Edinburgh]] weeks after they had been promoted, a poor run of results at several points in the early months of the season saw Leyton Orient likely to suffer relegation - but despite this, the club pulled through and escaped the drop following the vote to end the season, giving hope the O's would build on the success of Edinburgh's promotion.

|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Mark Warburton]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Warburton named QPR manager|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/mark-warburton-named-qpr-manager/|access-date=8 May 2019|work=Queens Park Rangers|date=8 May 2019 }}</ref>

| Signed by [[Juventus F.C.FC|Juventus]]

|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Nathan Jones (Welsh footballer)|Nathan Jones]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Club Statement |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2019/november/Club-Statement/ |website=Stoke City |date=November 2019 |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref>

| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Holloway]]<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20191231143354/https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2019/december/holloway-appointed-first-team-manager/ "Holloway Appointed First Team Manager"]}} - Grimsby Town's official website, 31 December 2019</ref>

* 6 June 2019: [[Johnny Robinson (footballer)|Johnny Robinson]], 83, [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Oldham Athletic F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] winger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/r.i.p-johnny-robinson/|title=R.I.P Johnny Robinson|website=buryfc.co.uk|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606164347/https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/r.i.p-johnny-robinson/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* c. 19 June 2019: [[Bobby Brown (footballer, born 1931)|Bobby Brown]], 87, [[Workington A.F.C.|Workington]] full back.<ref name="timesandstar.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/sport/17725719.reds-great-bobby-dies-at-the-age-of-87/|title=Workington Reds' great Bobby dies at the age of 87|website=Times and Star|date=24 June 2019 }}</ref>

* 28 July 2019: [[Peter McConnell (footballer)|Peter McConnell]], 82, [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] and [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] wing half.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/17801553.tributes-paid-carlisle-united-legend-peter-mcconnell/|title=Tributes paid to Carlisle United legend Peter McConnell|website=News and Star|date=29 July 2019 }}</ref>

* 28 July 2019: [[Kevin Stonehouse]], 59, [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]], [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] and [[Rochdale F.C.|Rochdale]] striker.<ref name="kstonehouse">{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17800573.former-blackburn-rovers-striker-kevin-stonehouse-died-club-confirms/|title=Former Blackburn Rovers striker Kevin Stonehouse has died, club confirms|website=lancashiretelegraph.co.uk|date=28 July 2019 |access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>

* c. 16 August 2019: [[Bobby Smith (footballer, born 1941)|Bobby Smith]], 78, [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] full back/midfielder.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/bobby-smith-2454521.html|title=Bobby Smith|website=Chelmsford City F.C.|date=16 August 2019|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524151809/https://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/bobby-smith-2454521.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* 13 September 2019: [[Dennis Edwards (footballer)|Dennis Edwards]], 82, [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]], [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] and [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] inside forward.<ref name="PNobit">{{cite web |title=Portsmouth mourn death of former Fratton Park and Charlton centre-forward Dennis Edwards |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-mourn-death-of-former-fratton-park-and-charlton-centre-forward-dennis-edwards-1-9072595 |website=Portsmouth News |date=16 September 2019 |publisher=JPIMedia Publishing Ltd |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

* 9 November 2019: [[Cyril Robinson (footballer)|Cyril Robinson]], 90, [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], [[Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.|Bradford Park Avenue]] and [[Southport F.C.|Southport]] wing half.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2019/november/cyril-robinson-1929-2019/ "Cyril Robinson (1929-20191929–2019)"] - Blackpool F.C., 10 November 2019</ref>

* 16 December 2019: [[Rod Johnson (footballer)|Rod Johnson]], 74, [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] and [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] midfielder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18115393.former-bradford-city-captain-rodney-johnson-dies-aged-74/|title=Former Bradford City captain dies, aged 74|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=20 December 2019 }}</ref>

* 18 December 2019: [[Tom White (footballer, born 1939)|Tom White]], 80, [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] forward.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2019/december2/tom-white-1939-2019/ "Tom White (1939-20191939–2019)"] - Blackpool F.C., 18 December 2019</ref>

* 9 January 2020: [[Jimmy Shields (footballer)|Jimmy Shields]], 88, [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]], [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Oxford United F.C.|Headington United]] forward.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bull |first1=David |title=Jimmy Shields: An appreciation |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-01-10/obituary-jimmy-shields-southampton-football-club |publisher=Southampton FC |access-date=11 January 2020 |date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111212006/https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-01-10/obituary-jimmy-shields-southampton-football-club |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* 12 January 2020: [[Brian Clifton (footballer)|Brian Clifton]], 85, [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] inside forward/half back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-01-15/obituary-brian-clifton-southampton-football-club|title=Brian Clifton: An appreciation|website=Southampton FC}}</ref>

* c. 6 February 2020: [[Jimmy Moran]], 84, [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]], [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] and [[Workington A.F.C.|Workington]] inside forward.<ref name="Jmoran">{{cite web |title=James 'Jimmy' Moran: 1935 - 2020 |url=https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/february/jimmy-moran-1935---2020/ |website=Norwich City FC |publisher=Norwich City FC |access-date=6 February 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206200301/https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/february/jimmy-moran-1935---2020/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* 14 February 2020: [[Jimmy Conway (footballer)|Jimmy Conway]], 73, [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] midfielder.<ref name="Jconway">{{cite web |title=Jimmy Conway: 1946-2020|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/february/14/jimmy-conway-obituary-1946-2020 |website=Fulham FC |publisherdate=Fulham14 FCFebruary 2020 |access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref>

* 20 February 2020: [[Jimmy Wheeler (footballer)|Jimmy Wheeler]], 86, [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] striker, who also managed [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]].<ref name="RFC obit">{{cite web |title=📰 Jimmy Wheeler 1933-2020 |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/jimmy-wheeler-1933-2020/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |date=20 February 2020 |publisher=Reading Football Club |access-date=20 February 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref>

* 26 March 2020: [[Fred Smith (footballer, born 1942)|Fred Smith]], 77, [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] and [[Halifax Town F.C.|Halifax Town]] full back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/former-claret-freddie-smith-passes-away-2520528|title=Former Claret Freddie Smith passes away|website=www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk|date=27 March 2020 }}</ref>

* 6 April 2020: [[Radomir Antić]], 71, [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] and [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] defender.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1247232835313860614|user=LutonTown|title=We are devastated to learn of the passing of Town legend Radomir Antic, at the age of 71. A true Hatters hero, for…for...|date=6 April 2020}}</ref>

* 13 April 2020: [[Peter Madden (footballer)|Peter Madden]], 85, [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] defender, who also managed [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] and [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18380678.bradford-born-star-played-first-league-cup-final-dies/|title=Bradford born defender courted by Shankly's Liverpool dies aged 85|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=15 April 2020 }}</ref>

* c. 13 April 2020: [[Alf Wood (footballer, born 1945)|Alf Wood]], 74, [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]], [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]], [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]], [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] and [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] striker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/04/13/shrewsbury-town-goal-legend-alf-wood-dies-aged-74/|title=Shrewsbury Town goal legend Alf Wood dies aged 74|website=www.shropshirestar.com|date=13 April 2020 }}</ref>

* 14 April 2020: [[Billy Wright (footballer, born 1931)|Billy Wright]], 89, [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] and [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] midfielder.<ref name=bfc>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/april/billy-wright-1931-2020/ "Billy Wright (1931-20201931–2020)"] - Blackpool F.C., 19 April 2020</ref>

* 16 April 2020: [[Peter Phoenix]], 83, [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]], [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]], [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]], [[Southport F.C.|Southport]] and [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] winger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/rest-in-peace-peter-phoenix/|title=Rest In Peace Peter Phoenix|date=16 April 2020|website=Stockport County}}</ref>

* 19 April 2020: [[Dickie Dowsett]], 88, [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]], [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], [[A.F.C. Bournemouth|Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic]] and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] inside forward.<ref name =Dic>{{cite web |title=Club mourns Dickie Dowsett |url=https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/club-news/club-mourns-dickie-dowsett/ |website=AFCB |date=20 April 2020 |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref>

* 24 April 2020: [[Don Woan]], 92, [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]], [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] and [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] striker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/394240-rip-donald-woan|title=RIP Donald Woan|website=Liverpool FC|date=28 April 2020 }}</ref>

* 22 June 2020: [[Harry Penk]], 85, [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] and [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] winger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/wigan-athletic-old-boy-passes-away-aged-85-2891530|title=Wigan Athletic old boy passes away aged 85|website=www.wigantoday.net|date=22 June 2020 }}</ref>

* 26 April 2020: [[Ricky Shakes]], 35, former [[Trinidad & Tobago national football team|Trinidad & Tobago]], [[Guyana national football team|Guyana]], [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] and [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] winger.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1254486300859793408|user=rickyshakes|title=A Happy Farewell I’mI'm happy to announce my retirement from football. It has been a long 19 years playing profession…profession...<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |accessdate=26 April 2020|date=26 April 2020}}</ref>

* 1 June 2020: [[Brian Wilson (footballer, born 1983)|Brian Wilson]], 37, former [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]], [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] and [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] defender.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lord |first1=Adam |title=Former Oldham Athletic defender announces retirement |url=https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/sport/18488554.former-oldham-athletic-defender-announces-retirement/ |website=The Oldham Times |date=June 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref>

* 15 June 2020: [[Mark O'Brien (footballer, born 1992)|Mark O'Brien]], 27, former [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] and [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] defender.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Newport County shock as scorer of the Great Escape goal forced to retire|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18518302.newport-countys-mark-obrien-retires-heart-issue/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=South Wales Argus|date=15 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

* 21 June 2020: [[David N'GogNgog]], 31, former [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] and [[Swansea City F.C.|Swansea City]] striker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fkzalgiris.lt/prancuzas-davidas-ngogas-baigia-futbolininko-karjera/|title=Prancūzas Davidas Ngogas baigia futbolininko karjerą|date=21 June 2020|website=FK Žalgiris}}</ref>

* 31 August 2019: The first month of the new season ends with Liverpool top of the Premier League, the only team to have won all 4four games in August. Manchester City are 2two points behind in second. Leicester City, Crystal Palace and West Ham United have made good starts to the season and occupy third to fifth, ahead of Arsenal (with a game in hand) and Manchester United. Newly promoted Aston Villa and Norwich City are having a tough time on their return to the top flight, tied on 3three points apiece with Wolverhampton Wanderers (who have played 9nine games already en route to the Europa League group stage, and have a game in hand), and only above Watford, the only Premier League team without a win so far. Swansea City are having a good start under Steve Cooper's management to lead the Championship, 2two points ahead of newly promoted Charlton Athletic. Leeds United stand third and look to be contending for another attempt at promotion. West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City stand in fourth and fifth; newly relegated Fulham, Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers, and managerless Birmingham City tussle for the sixth play-off spot. Another newly relegated team, Huddersfield Town, are having a torrid start on their return to the second tier and stand in 23rd on 1one point, with manager Jan Siewert sacked a fortnight earlier. Stoke City prop up the table, also with 1one point also, 3three points behind 22nd-placed Wigan Athletic.

* 30 September 2019: September ends with Liverpool now 5five points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Leicester and West Ham continue their good starts to the season and stand third and fifth, sandwiching Arsenal; Tottenham and Chelsea are sixth and seventh. Watford, still without a win, prop up the table, 3three points behind Aston Villa (18th) and Newcastle United. West Brom now lead the Championship, 1one point ahead of Swansea and Nottingham Forest and 2two ahead of Leeds, Preston, and Charlton. Wigan has climbed to 21st at the expense of Barnsley; the Championship relegation zone is otherwise unchanged.

* 25 October 2019: Leicester break the record for the biggest away win in top-flight history with a [[Southampton F.C. 0–9 Leicester City F.C.|9–0 victory]] at Southampton.

* 31 October 2019: Liverpool end October six points ahead of Manchester City, though they have lost their 100% record due to a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford. Leicester remain third, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference, largely thanks to that 9–0 victory over Southampton. Arsenal are 4four points adrift of the Champions League places in fifth, Crystal Palace's good start sees them sixth after 3three months played, and Manchester United, Sheffield United, Bournemouth, and West Ham share seventh with only goal difference separating them. Watford remain winless and bottom, now joined by Norwich and Southampton. West Brom continue to lead the Championship, two points ahead of Preston, Leeds, and Swansea. Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City complete the top six. Barnsley (24th) and Stoke are joint bottom, joined in the Championship's bottom three by Middlesbrough.

* 30 November 2019: Liverpool remain top of the league at the end of November, 11eleven points clear of Manchester City and Leicester (the latter of whom has a game in hand). Chelsea remain fourth. Spurs have jumped to fifth following Jose Mourinho's appointment, a point ahead of Wolves and two ahead of Sheffield United; however, the congested nature of the table below fourth is emphasised by the fact that the gap between Chelsea and Spurs (6 points) is the same as the gap between Spurs and 17th-placed Everton. The relegation zone remains unchanged from the end of October. Leeds lead the Championship, though second-placed West Brom have a game in hand. Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Preston make up the play-off zone. Barnsley and Stoke remain in the same places as last month, with Wigan replacing Middlesbrough in 22nd.

* 31 December 2019: The new decade begins with Liverpool's lead extended to 16 points, Leicester and Manchester City swapping places, and Chelsea remaining fourth. Manchester United, Spurs, and Wolves are hot on the West London side's tails in the race for fourth. Watford have climbed off the bottom of the table at Norwich's expense, but remain in the bottom three, now joined by Aston Villa (18th). In the Championship, Leeds and West Brom hold a comfortable 9nine-point lead on Fulham, joined in the play-off places by Forest, Brentford, and Sheffield Wednesday. Stoke are now out of the drop zone on goal difference ahead of Barnsley and Luton, and Wigan a point behind.

* 31 January 2020: Liverpool end January 19 points clear; it is increasingly a question of when, not if, the Merseysiders end their 30-year title drought. Manchester City have moved 3three points ahead of Leicester but the top 7seven is otherwise unchanged from the end of December. Norwich and Watford remain 20th and 19th, but the relegation battle is heating up as only 2two goals separate West Ham (18th), Bournemouth and Watford, and Brighton and Villa only 2two points away from relegation. A difficult January has seen Leeds and West Brom's lead on third-placed Forest cut to 4four and 2two points respectively. Fulham are fourth, Brentford stay fifth, and Bristol City have taken sixth place from Sheffield Wednesday. Luton (24th) and Barnsley are 2two points behind 22nd-placed Wigan and 6six points from 21st-placed Charlton.

* 29 February 2020: February ends with Watford ending Liverpool's unbeaten run; regardless, Liverpool are 22 points clear of Manchester City and need only 4four wins from 10ten games to confirm the title. The only change to the top seven is with Sheffield United jumping above Wolves to seventh; however, the race for the Champions League is still far from decided as only 5five points separate Manchester United in fifth with Crystal Palace in 12th. The win over Liverpool has propelled Watford to 17th, above Bournemouth but below West Ham on goal difference. Villa are 2two points behind and Norwich 6six - it is not inconceivable that for only the second time in the Premier League's history, the final day could arrive with no team certain of the drop. With 10ten games left in the Championship, West Brom and Leeds remain in the top 2two, now 6six and 5five points away from third-placed Fulham. Forest (with a game in hand), Brentford and Preston complete the top 6six. A run of 10ten points from 6six games has seen Wigan rise to 19th, with Middlesbrough taking their place in the bottom three, although the Teessiders have a game in hand on their nearest rivals, Stoke (21st) and Charlton. Barnsley and Luton remain joint bottom.

*13 March 2020: League Football is postponed for the foreseeable future due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Coronavirus Pandemicpandemic]], leaving Liverpool just shy of claiming their first top flight title in 29 years. Some National League and lower fixtures go ahead, but many choose not to play for the safety of fans, staff and players. It is unknown how long the league will be out of action or how long until all fixtures get postponed.

*25 June 2020: Manchester City lose 2–1 to Chelsea, therefore clinching the Premier League title for Liverpool with seven games to go. This also earns Liverpool the achievement of being the team that won the title earliest in terms of games played, with seven games remaining, and also the team to win it the latest, being the only team to win the title in June. A trophy presentation ceremony for the Reds will bewas held at [[Anfield]] after their game against Chelsea on the weekend of the 18th of22 July.