The 1980–81 Rugby Football League season was the 86th season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August 1980 until May 1981 for the Slalom Lager Championship.

Quick Facts League, Teams ...

1980–81 Rugby Football League season
League	Slalom Lager Championship
Teams	16
Champions	Bradford Northern
Premiership winners	Hull Kingston Rovers
Man of Steel Award	Ken Kelly
Top point-scorer(s)	Steve Hesford 310
Top try-scorer(s)	Terry Richardson 28
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from Second Division	York Wigan Fulham Whitehaven
Relegated to Second Division	Halifax Salford Workington Town Oldham
Second Division
Champions	York
Top try-scorer(s)	John Crossley Jr. 35
← 1979–80 1981–82 →

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• Slalom Lager League Champions: Bradford Northern
• Challenge Cup Winners: Widnes (18-9 v Hull Kingston Rovers)
• Slalom Lager Premiership Trophy Winners: Hull Kingston Rovers (11-7 v Hull)
• John Player Special Trophy Winners: Warrington (12-5 v Barrow)
• 2nd Division Champions: York

For the only time in their history, Wigan competed outside the top flight of Rugby League in this season. Fulham RLFC joined the competition in Division Two, later becoming the London Crusaders, London Broncos (twice), and Harlequins Rugby League.

Bradford Northern finished on top of the First Division table to claim their second championship, and Hull Kingston Rovers won the Rugby League Premiership competition.

Warrington beat Wigan 26–10 to win the Lancashire County Cup, and Leeds beat Hull Kingston Rovers 8–7 to win the Yorkshire County Cup.

The 1980–81 State Express Challenge Cup was won by Widnes after defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 18–9 in the final.

The Final was played at Wembley before a crowd of 92,496.

Warrington won the John Player Trophy for the third time in their history, beating Barrow 12–5 at Central Park, Wigan.

Hull Kingston Rovers won the Premiership competition for the first time, defeating local rivals Hull 11–7 at Headingley, Leeds.

September until November also saw the appearance of the New Zealand team in England on their 1980 tour. Other than the three test series against Great Britain, The Kiwis played matches club and county sides.

The 1980 Kiwis were coached by Ces Mountford and were captained by Mark Graham.

Dane O'Hara, who would join Hull F.C. following the tour was the leading try scorer with 6. Scrum half Gordon Smith (who would join Hull Kingston Rovers in 1982) was the tours leading point scorer with 33 from 1 try and 15 goals.

More information game, Date ...

game	Date	Result	Venue	Attendance
1	28 September	New Zealand def. Blackpool Borough 23–5	Borough Park, Blackpool	1,312
2	5 October	New Zealand def. Hull F.C. 33–10	Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull	15,945
3	8 October	Cumbria def. New Zealand 9–3	Recreation Ground, Whitehaven	4,070
4	12 October	St Helens def. New Zealand 11–6	Knowsley Road, St Helens	6,000
5	14 October	Bradford Northern def. New Zealand 15–10	Odsal Stadium, Bradford	4,553
6	18 October	Great Britain drew with  New Zealand 14–14	Central Park, Wigan	7,031
7	22 October	New Zealand def. Hull Kingston Rovers 20–12	Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull	9,516
8	26 October	New Zealand def. Leeds 25–5	Headingley, Leeds	5,662
9	29 October	Warrington def. New Zealand 13–6	Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington	5,680
10	2 November	New Zealand def.  Great Britain 12–8	Odsal Stadium, Bradford	10,946
11	5 November	New Zealand def. Great Britain U/24 18–14	Craven Cottage, London	2,397
12	9 November	Widnes def. New Zealand 13–7	Naughton Park, Widnes	6,416
13	11 November	New Zealand def. Leigh 22–5	Hilton Park, Leigh	3,166
14	15 November	Great Britain def.  New Zealand 10–2	Elland Road, Leeds	8,210

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The following are the top points scorers in all competitions in the 1980–81 season.^[1]