One of Britain's best supported clubs, the history of Leeds United is one of dramatic highs and lows.
A Brief History of Leeds United
Early Years
Leeds United were formed in 1919, shortly after Leeds City football club had folded. United were elected into the Football League in 1920, beginning their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Port Vale. The pre-war years saw Leeds yo-yo between the top two divisions with a Second Division Championship in 1923-24 the highlight.
The Revie Era
Don Revie was United’s greatest manager. He had joined the club as a player in 1958, quickly establishing himself as club captain. Revie was then appointed player-manager following relegation from the top flight in 1960.
The early Revie years were a struggle. Leeds narrowly avoided relegation to the old Third Division in 1961-62, yet the foundations for recovery were being laid, notably with the signing of Bobby Collins from Everton in 1962 and the growing influence of Jack Charlton and Billy Bremner.
Over the next decade, Leeds United established themselves at the forefront of the English game. Unloved by the media and other fans due to their robust style of play, Revie’s side became feared opposition both at home and abroad. Championship wins in 1969 and 1974 accompanied an FA Cup triumph in 1972 and European successes in 1968 and 1971. The glory years arrived at Elland Road thanks to Revie.
1980s Decline and 1990s Recovery
The 1980s saw a barren period for the club, languishing in the Second Division after relegation. Former legends Eddie Gray and Billy Bremner had spells in the managerial hot seat but it wasn’t until Howard Wilkinson took over that fortunes picked up. Wilkinson guided United to the Second Division Championship in 1990 before engineering a League title only two years later.
Wilkinson maintained stability at the club for the first half of the 1990s but failure to build on early successes and a poor start to the 1996-97 season saw his dismissal and the appointment of former Arsenal boss George Graham.
Graham, like Wilkinson maintained a steady ship and guided the club to 5th place in 1998, yet his defensive style of play did little to win over the fans. Graham moved on to manage Spurs at the beginning of the 1998-99 season and his assistant David O’Leary took over the managerial reigns.
Living the Dream
Under O’Leary, United spent big money to try and consolidate themselves as a Premiership and European force. Splashing £18m on West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand gave an indication as to the club’s ambition under chairman Peter Risdale and a thrilling Champions League campaign in 2001 saw United reach the semi-final stage.
O’Leary built a side that looked as if it could become a genuine force yet his regime fell apart quickly. The club overspent in chasing the European dream and with results taking a downturn, O’Leary was sacked in June 2002.
A mass exodus of O’Leary’s expensively assembled squad was inevitable and managers Terry Venable, Peter Reid and Eddie Gray came and went as Leeds slipped out of the top flight again. Kevin Blackwell took over as manager in 2004 during a period when ownership of the club and its financial problems made as many headlines off the pitch as the players on it.
The 2005-06 season offered a glimmer of hope but a play-off defeat to Watford saw ideas of a quick return to the Premiership dashed and the 2006-07 season, under new manager Dennis Wise, saw the club finish in 23rd place and slip into the third tier of English football for the first time in its history. Entering administration in May 2007, Leeds United began the 2007-08 season with a fifteen-point penalty deduction.
Greatest Players
John Charles was arguably Leeds United’s greatest ever player, held still in great esteem at Elland Road and in Italy where he forged the latter part of his career. Capable of playing in any position, Charles was a dominating figure for United between 1948 and 1957, a genuine legend during a period of mediocrity for the club.
Bobby Collins was the heartbeat of Revie’s Leeds United. Only 5 ft 4ins, the Scot’s ferocious will to win was crucial to the club’s revival under Revie. Without his ability to ensure that the manager’s instructions were followed on the field, the glory years at Elland Road may never have materialised.
Jack Charlton was the defensive lynchpin of Leeds United’s most successful sides. Footballer of the Year in 1967, he made 629 League appearances for the club between 1952 and 1973.
Billy Bremner is one of the players most readily identified with Revie’s Leeds. A combative midfielder, he was a crucial part of the side that won promotion in 1963-64 and went on to become club captain for the 1969 title campaign.
Eddie Gray was the silk to the steel in the great Lees United sides. A skilful winger, Gray was an important attacking force as the side developed in the late 1960s. another loyal servant to the club, Gray served as a player for over twenty years, with stints as player-manager, assistant manager and manager of the club in addition.
Honours:
Football League Champions 1968-69, 1973-74, 1991-92
Second Division Champions 1923-24, 1963-64, 1989-90
FA Cup Winners 1972
Football League Cup Winners 1968
Inter City Fairs Cup Winners 1967-68, 1970-71
Club Website: http://www.leedsunited.com
