The1979–80 Football League Cup was the 20th season of theFootball League Cup, a knockout competition for England's top 92football clubs. The winners qualified for the1980–81 UEFA Cup, if not already qualified for European competition.Wolverhampton Wanderers won the competition by defeating the reigning holders and European championsNottingham Forest 1–0 in thefinal on 15 March 1980. This was their second League Cup success, after winning in1974.
The 56 Football League clubs who had comprised theThird andFourth Divisions duringthe previous season, plus the bottom eight of theSecond Division, all competed from the first round. Ties were two-legged affairs, with theaway goals rule being applied after extra time where necessary. If teams could still not be divided, penalties were taken. Games were staged on 11/13 and 14–15 August 1979.
The 28 first round winners were joined by the remaining clubs from the Second Division and all from the First Division. Ties for the first time in League Cup were two-legged affairs at this stage of the competition, with the away goals rule being applied after extra time where necessary. If teams could still not be divided, penalties were taken. Games were staged on 28–29 August and 3–5 September 1979.
Ties were once again two-legged affairs with the winners advancing to the final. Extra time and then penalties would be used in the second leg if required.