In November ITV signed a secret three year deal with the Football League to show edited highlights on Saturday nights instead of Sundays in an attempt to break away from the joint negotiating strategy and replace Match of the Day. A ruling by the Office of Fair Trading prevented ITV's exclusive contract being signed but a compromise was reached. For the duration of the next four year contract it was agreed that the BBC and ITV would have to alternate their programme coverage with Match of the Day switching to Sunday afternoons for the 1980-81 and 1982-83 seasons.
Episode 1
19th August 1978
Aug 19, 1978
Jimmy Hill introduces the first action of the 1978/9 season. What sort of season will it be? Will another Nottingham Forest emerge... or can anybody afford to bet against Liverpool? Bolton Wanderers v Bristol City Chelsea v Everton
Episode 2
26th August 1978
Aug 26, 1978
Jimmy Hill presents the action, the key points and the personalities from two of today's Football League matches. As well, there's the day's news plus the pools check. Manchester City v Liverpool Brighton & Hove Albion v Sunderland
Episode 3
2nd September 1978
Sep 2, 1978
Introduced by Jimmy Hill. Highlights of two of today's Football League matches. There's also match analysis, the news and your Talking Point of the Week. Gillingham v Watford Manchester United v Everton
Episode 4
9th September 1978
Sep 9, 1978
Action highlights of two outstanding Football League games introduced by Jimmy Hill. As well, there's the day's important news, match analysis, and the pools check. Burnley v West Ham United Tottenham Hotspur v Bristol City
Episode 5
16th September 1978
Sep 16, 1978
Jimmy Hill presents top soccer action from today's Football League programme. There's match analysis, the views of players and managers, and a look at the day's other football headlines. Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers
Episode 6
23rd September 1978
Sep 23, 1978
Action, news, analysis and comment from today's Football League, introduced by Jimmy Hill. Crystal Palace v Oldham Athletic Coventry City v Leeds United
Episode 7
30th September 1978
Sep 30, 1978
Jimmy Hill presents two-match action from today's Football League. Also, the first Goal of the Month competition this season and Ron Greenwood, the England manager, has joined the regular panel of judges. Norwich City v Derby County Wrexham v Cardiff City
Episode 8
7th October 1978
Oct 7, 1978
Action, news, analysis and comment introduced by Jimmy Hill. There's also the result of the first Goal of the Month competition this season and a chance to air your views with Talking Point, the regular feature involving you the viewer, plus, as usual, the late-night Pools check. Sheffield United v Sunderland West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur
Episode 9
14th October 1978
Oct 14, 1978
Jimmy Hill analyses the games, and listens to your Talking Point of the Week. Plus the Pools check and the day's other headlines from Tony Gubba. Aston Villa v Manchester United Southampton v Queens Park Rangers
Episode 10
21st October 1978
Oct 21, 1978
Featuring highlights of two of the day's important Football League matches. Jimmy Hill analyses the games, Bob Wilson brings you the day's headlines. West Ham United v Stoke City Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town
Episode 11
28th October 1978
Oct 28, 1978
There's match analysis, the news of the day, your Talking Point and the personalities who make the news. Jimmy Hill also presents the October Goal of the Month Competition, where there's £100-worth of premium bonds to be won. Everton v Liverpool Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United
Episode 12
4th November 1978
Nov 4, 1978
Two top First Division matches introduced by Jimmy Hill. There's also the result of the October Goal of the Month Competition, the day's headlines and the late-night pools check. Arsenal v Ipswich Town West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City
Episode 13
11th November 1978
Nov 11, 1978
Action highlights of two First Division games introduced by Jimmy Hill. Then, there's the day's headlines with Bob Wilson and the late-night Pools Check. Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool Bristol City v Bolton Wanderers
Episode 14
18th November 1978
Nov 18, 1978
Jimmy Hill presents First and Second Division action from today's Football League analysing the key points and there's the late-night headlines and the pools check. West Ham United v Crystal Palace Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United
Episode 15
25th November 1978
Nov 25, 1978
First Division action, analysis and the day's headlines presented by Jimmy Hill. There's also £100-worth of premium bonds to be won in the November Goal of the Month Competition, plus the late-night pools check. Manchester City v Ipswich Town Chelsea v Manchester United
Episode 16
2nd December 1978
Dec 2, 1978
Outstanding First and Second Division matches introduced by Jimmy Hill. Plus the result of the November Goal of the Month Competition, and Tony Gubba brings you up-to-date with the day's headlines and the late-night pools check. Stoke City v Leicester City Manchester United v Norwich City (postponed)
Episode 17
9th December 1978
Dec 9, 1978
Introduced by Jimmy Hill. Two great First Division matches in prospect tonight. There's also the day's football news and a chance for you to check your pools coupons with Tony Gubba. Liverpool v Nottingham Forest Coventry City v Queens Park Rangers
Episode 18
16thDecember 1978
Dec 16, 1978
Introduced by Bob Wilson featuring highlights of two Football League matches and The Olympia International Show Jumping Championships. Bob Wilson analyses the key points; and Desmond Lynam brings you the day's headlines. Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Fulham v Newcastle United
Episode 19
23rd December 1978
Dec 23, 1978
Action highlights of two outstanding First Division matches affecting the race for the Football League championship. Jimmy Hill analyses the key points.... and Bob Wilson brings you right up to date with the day's headlines. Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Episode 20
30th December 1978
Dec 30, 1978
First Division action presented by Jimmy Hill. There's also £100 to be won in our December Goal of the Month competition and Bob Wilson sums up the day's important news and brings you the late-night Pools Check. Ipswich Town v Chelsea Bristol City v Manchester City
Episode 21
6th January 1979: FA Cup Third Round
Jan 6, 1979
Action highlights from today's FA Cup Third Round Ties. Jimmy Hill analyses the key points and Tony Gubba features the other important Cup news. Plus the Pools Check and the result of the December Goal of the Month competition. Leicester City v Norwich City Shrewsbury Town v Cambridge United
Episode 22
13th January 1979
Jan 13, 1979
Action highlights of two Football League matches. Plus all the day's news and the late-night Pools Check. Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion Bristol City v Tottenham Hotspur
Episode 23
20th January 1979
Jan 20, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces two games affecting the First and Second Division championships. The day's headlines are summed up by Desmond Lynam , and Jimmy Hill presents Talking Point, a chance for you to air your views. Plus interviews with the big names and penetrating analysis of the key moments from today's games. Brighton & Hove Albion v Stoke City Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United
Episode 24
27th January 1979: FA Cup Fourth Round
Jan 27, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights from today's big games. There's also £100 to be won in the January Goal of the Month competition and Desmond Lynam brings you the day's news and the late night Pools Check. Shrewsbury Town v Manchester City Arsenal v Notts County
Episode 25
3rd February 1979
Feb 3, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights of two Football League matches. There's also Match Analysis ... Comment from the top personalities in the game ... and the day's other headlines. Plus the January Goal of the Month result. Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion Watford v Rotherham United
Episode 26
10th February 1979
Feb 10, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights from two top First Division games. At the end of the programme Desmond Lynam brings you up to date with all the football news of the day including a check on the score and no-score draws. Manchester City v Manchester United Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Episode 27
17th February 1979
Feb 17, 1979
Scheduled FA Cup Fifth Round games were postponed. Jimmy Hill presents action highlights of two Football League matches. Plus analysis, interviews, and the rest of the day's news from Bob Wilson. Southampton v Everton Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace
Episode 28
24th February 1979
Feb 24, 1979
Two Football League matches introduced by Jimmy Hill. As well, there are interviews with the personalities of the day, match analysis, plus the League tables and your late-night pools check. Derby County v Liverpool Portsmouth v Grimsby Town
Episode 29
3rd March 1979
Mar 3, 1979
Two Football League matches affecting the First and Second Division Championships. Match analysis Jimmy Hill. Plus interviews with the personalities of the day; the late-night pools check and the result of the February Goal of the Month competition. Stoke City v West Ham United Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest
Episode 30
17th March 1979
Mar 17, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces First Division action affecting the championship and relegation. Bob Wilson sums up the rest of the day's news. Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers Bristol City v Middlesbrough
Episode 31
24th March 1979
Mar 24, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights of games from the top of the First and Second Divisions. Desmond Lynam brings you the day's football news and your late-night Pools Check. Arsenal v Manchester City Sunderland v Leyton Orient
Episode 32
31st March 1979: FA Cup Semi-Final
Mar 31, 1979
Bob Wilson presents one of football's big days of the year - The Semi-finals of the FA Cup. Bob Wilson analyses the key moments and there will be news and interviews of the other Semi-final. Plus the March Goal of the Month competition. Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Episode 33
7th April 1979
Apr 7, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights from two outstanding First Division matches. Analysis and interviews plus all the other news of the day's League programme and there's the result of the March Goal of the Month competition. West Bromwich Albion v Everton Leeds United v Ipswich Town
Episode 34
14th April 1979
Apr 14, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights of two First Division games from today's crucial Easter programme. Bob Wilson has the rest of the day's news and the late-night Pools Check. Liverpool v Manchester United Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Episode 35
21st April 1979
Apr 21, 1979
Outstanding Football League action presented by Jimmy Hill. Plus all the news and comment from the personalities of the day. Swindon Town v Watford Derby County v Arsenal
Episode 36
28th April 1979
Apr 28, 1979
As the season draws to an end, Jimmy Hill introduces highlights of two Football League games affecting promotion, relegation and entry into Europe next season. The day's headlines are presented by Bob Wilson , plus all the important comment from the personalities involved. Nottingham Forest v Liverpool West Ham United v Wrexham
Episode 37
5th May 1979
May 5, 1979
Jimmy Hill introduces highlights and analysis of two key matches tonight on the last Saturday of the League season. Desmond Lynam brings you up-to-date on Championship promotion and relegation news and there is a chance to enter the BBC's Goal of the Season competition. Liverpool v Southampton Plymouth Argyle v Swansea City
Episode 38
12th May 1979: FA Cup Final: Arsenal v Manchester United
May 12, 1979
Highlights of the 1979 FA Cup Final. Jimmy Hill presents the best action, analyses the key moments and talks to the players and manager of the victorious side direct from their celebration banquet in London's West End.
Episode 39
19th May 1979: Home International Championship
May 19, 1979
Today's first two matches in the 1979 Home International Championship. The legendary Bobby Charlton and European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan join Jimmy Hill in London to analyse today's performances. Northern Ireland v England from Windsor Park, Belfast Wales v Scotland from Ninian Park, Cardiff
Episode 40
25th May 1979: Home International Championship
May 25, 1979
Action highlights of the penultimate match in the 1979 Home International Championship. Northern Ireland v Wales from Windsor Park, Belfast
Episode 41
26th May 1979: Home International Championship
May 26, 1979
Featuring the climax to the Home International Soccer Championship, England against Scotland, played this afternoon at Wembley. Jimmy Hill introduces action highlights and analyses today's game with Kevin Keegan and Lawrie McMenemy. Plus the Match of the Day 'phone-in'; your chance to put a question to the studio panel about a football issue.