During the 1981–82 English football season, Swansea City A.F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, following promotion from the Second Division. It was their debut season in the English top flight and the first season in which a Welsh club was part of the top English league since arch-rivals Cardiff City were relegated at the end of 1961–62. Background Swansea's rise to the top flight of English football had come only four seasons after competing in the Fourth Division and thus few tipped Swansea to survive in the First Division. Swansea soon proved the naysayers wrong by crushing Leeds United 5–1 in their first match ever in the top flight, with debutant Bob Latchford scoring a hat-trick. The win saw Swansea rise from the basement division to the top of the entire Football League in barely three years. Victories over footballing royalty such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur followed as the club topped the league on several further occasions. However, injuries to key players took their toll, and the lack of depth in the squad meant that the season ended in sixth-place finish. Transfers In Dai Davies - Wrexham, July Ray Kennedy - Liverpool, January, £160,000 Ian Walsh - Crystal Palace, February Colin Irwin - Liverpool, £338,800 Out Leighton Phillips - Charlton Athletic, June, £25,000 David Giles - Leyton Orient, December, loan Football League First Division Results Last updated: 4 September 2013Source: Classification Results summary Results by round FA Cup Last updated: 4 September 2013Source: Football League Cup Last updated: 4 September 2013Source: Welsh Cup Last updated: 19 January 2014Sources:, Welsh Football Data Archive European Cup Winners' Cup Last updated: 4 September 2013Source: Kit Swansea's kit was manufactured by Belgian company Patrick. The kit bore no sponsorship. Squad Squad at end of season Left club during season Squad statistics Last updated on 4 September 2013 Appearances and goals Top scorers See also 1981–82 in English football List of Swansea City A.F.C. seasons References General Bibliography Specific 1981-82 English football clubs 1981–82 season Welsh football clubs 1981–82 season