McNaught Title-Winning Centre Half
McNaught wins aerial duels and organises the back line in Villa's first league championship in more than seven decades.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1981 in Great Britain — Page 6
Explore 261 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1981.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1981
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 261 unique records.
261Unique records
6 of 7Page
38Named events on this page
34Named people on this page
11Places on this page
Other events (month unknown)
Meninblack
Records The Gospel According to the Meninblack, using keyboards and concept themes more heavily.
Merseyside Development Corporation
As Environment Secretary, advances the creation of the Merseyside Development Corporation to regenerate extensive redundant dockland through land reclamation and private investment.
Merseyside Ministerial Focus
After the Toxteth disturbances, develops a sustained ministerial focus on Merseyside and argues for stronger coordination of government action in major urban areas.
Minister of State
Appointed Minister of State for the Dept of Trade & Industry
Morning Train
Records "Morning Train", reaches no 1 in the UK
Mortimer Captains 1981 League Champions
Mortimer leads Aston Villa to the First Division championship, combining energetic midfield play with assertive captaincy.
Nationalization
As Energy Secretary, Lawson oversees contingency planning for the possibility of a major coal dispute while the Government considers the future of uneconomic pits.
NCB Closure Controversy
Proposed pit closures provoked a threat of industrial action and the government stepped back from immediate confrontation.
New Hansard Commons Series
A new Commons series of the Official Report began as Thatcher's government confronted recession and industrial disputes.
NUM
Appointed President of the NUM
NUM Leadership Transition
Joe Gormley retired from the NUM presidency ahead of Arthur Scargill succeeding him.
Only Fools and Horses
Derek Del-Boy Trotter in the BBC situation comedy Only Fools and Horses (created by John Sullivan)
Only Fools and Horses
Appears in Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003)
Ormsby Develops in Villa First Team
Ormsby gains valuable experience in Aston Villa's first-team environment after emerging from the club's youth ranks.
Party Leader
Appointed Party Leader of the Social Democratic Party
Personal Allowances Freeze
Freezes personal income-tax allowances in cash terms in the 1981 Budget, increasing the real tax burden during a period of high inflation.
Phil Parkes Hammer of the Year
Phil Parkes receives the Hammer of the Year award following a season in which West Ham earn Second Division promotion and reach a League Cup final.
Private Investment in Inner Cities
Changes the emphasis of inner-city policy toward strengthening local economies, improving the environment and attracting private investment alongside public programmes.
Privatization
Lawson's energy policy promotes competition and asset sales that help establish the policy framework later used for major gas and electricity privatisations.
Privatization
Cable & Wireless is sold for œ224 million
Privy Council
Nigel Lawson becomes a member of the Privy Council in 1981.
Promotion Back to Second Division
Bailey guides Charlton Athletic to promotion from the Third Division after the club's previous season of relegation.
Ray Stewart Penalty in League Cup Final
Ray Stewart converts a late penalty in the League Cup final against Liverpool, earning West Ham United a 1-1 draw before the replay.
Real Madrid European Final Winner
Alan Kennedy scored the only goal against Real Madrid in Paris, giving Liverpool a third European Cup in 1981.
Reform of Electoral System
Secures 40% Union votes & 30% for the Party & Constituencies for leadership elections
Rimmer Villa Champion Goalkeeper
Rimmer anchors the team that wins Aston Villa's first English league title since 1910, making crucial saves across the season.
Rock Against Unemployment
Rock Against Unemployment benefit concert, part of the Peoples March For Jobs campaign
Rocket 88
Joins a "supergroup", Rocket 88, a project led by Ian Stewart based around boogie-woogie keyboard players, which featured a rhythm section comprising Jack Bruce and Charlie Watts
SDP
28 MPs defect to the Social Democratic Party
SDP-Liberal Alliance Formation
Helps establish electoral cooperation between the SDP and the Liberal Party.
Second Division Championship and Promotion
John Lyall leads West Ham United to the 1980–81 Second Division title with a dominant league record and restores the club to the top flight.
Secretary
Appointed Trade Secretary
Secretary of State for Employment
Appointed Minister of Employment
Shaw PFA Young Player of the Year
Shaw receives the PFA Young Player of the Year award after his performances help Saunders's Aston Villa win the championship.
Solo Goal Against Fort Lauderdale
Best scores a celebrated individual goal for San Jose against Fort Lauderdale, dribbling past multiple opponents before finishing.
South Docks Renewal Agency Established
The Merseyside Development Corporation was established and began a programme of waterfront rehabilitation. It linked the salt trade with new waterfront capacity.
Southampton Second Season Attack
Keegan leads Southampton's forward play with intelligent runs and combination work, demonstrating the technical influence he can exert beyond traditional centre-forward goalscoring.
Spasticus Autisticus
The song "Spasticus Autisticus," intended to mark the International Year of the Disabled, is banned by the BBC
Strike
Lawson oversees preparations for the possibility of a national coal dispute while serving as Secretary of State for Energy.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.