Leeds United

Leeds United is a football (soccer) club from England.

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Leeds United Association Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Leeds United, or informally Leeds, are a United Kingdom Professional sports association football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire Yorkshire. The club's home is the Elland Road stadium in Beeston, Leeds, where they have played since their foundation in 1919.

The club's most common nicknames are "Leeds", "United" or "The Whites". Another nickname is "The Peacocks", though this is virtually obsolete. This term stems from the former name of the Elland Road, The Old Peacock Ground, which was in turn named after The Old Peacock Public house opposite Elland Road's South Stand. Although Leeds United name bears the "AFC" suffix, the current badge displays "LUFC". However, previous badges have included the official suffix in its entirety.

Leeds United have competed at the top level of English football league system for the majority of their existence, following the disbanding of predecessor Leeds City F.C.. Under the management of Don Revie during the 1960s and 1970s, Leeds won a number of domestic and European trophies. After Revie's departure to manage the England national football team team, Leeds were relegated to the Football League Second Division in 1981-82 in English football, not returning to the top flight until 1989-90 in English football, when they were managed by Howard Wilkinson. Leeds were English football champions two seasons later, in 1991-92 in English football. Following severe financial turmoil, Leeds were relegated to Football League One for the 2007-08 in English football. This was the first time Leeds United had dropped below the top two tiers of Football in England. Two successive playoff failures see Leeds currently hoping to get out of League 1 at the 3rd time of asking.

History

Pre-Leeds United

Leeds United's predecessor team Leeds City F.C. was formed in 1904, but was forcibly disbanded by The Football League in 1919 in response to allegations of illegal payments to players during the First World War. A new club, Leeds United, was formed and Leeds United received an invitation to enter the Midland Football League from the league secretary, Mr. J Nicholson. Leeds United were voted into the Midland League on 31 October 1919, taking the place vacated by Leeds City Reserves. Yorkshire Amateur A.F.C., who occupied Elland Road, offered to make way for the new team under the management of former player Dick Ray.
The chairman of Huddersfield Town F.C., Mr. Hilton Crowther loaned Leeds United Pound sterling, to be repaid when Leeds United won promotion to Football League First Division. He brought Barnsley F.C.'s manager Arthur Fairclough (manager) to Leeds and on 26 February 1920, Dick Ray stepped down to become Fairclough's assistant.

1920–1960: Football League

On 31 May 1920, Leeds United were elected to the Football League.

Over the following few years, Leeds consolidated their position in the Football League Second Division and in 1923-24 in English football won the title and with it promotion to the Football League First Division. However, they failed to establish themselves and were relegated in 1926-27 in English football. After being relegated Fairclough resigned which paved the way for Ray to return as manager. In the years up until the start of World War II Leeds were twice relegated, both times being instantly re-promoted the following season. On 5 March 1935 Ray resigned and he was replaced by Billy Hampson, who remained in charge for 12 years. In the 1946-47 in English football after the war, Leeds were relegated again with the worst league record in their history.
After this season, Hampson resigned (he stayed with Leeds as their chief scout albeit for only 8 months) and was replaced in April 1947 by Willis Edwards.

In 1948 Sam Bolton replaced Ernest Pullan as the chairman of Leeds United.
Edwards was moved to assistant trainer in April 1948 after just one year as manager. He was replaced by Frank Buckley (footballer).

They remained in the Second Division until 1955-56 in English football, when Leeds once again won promotion to the First Division, inspired by Welsh legend John Charles. However, Charles was hungry for success at the highest level, and manager Raich Carter was unable to convince him that Leeds could satisfy his ambitions. Charles was sold to Juventus F.C. for a then world record of £65,000; the loss of such a key player led to Leeds' decline, and Leeds United was relegated to the Second Division in 1959-60 in English football.

1961–1975: The Glory Years

In March 1961 Leeds United appointed Don Revie as manager. His stewardship began in adverse circumstances; Leeds United was in financial difficulty and in 1961-62 in English football only a win in the final game of the season saved Leeds United from relegation to Football League Third Division. Revie turned Leeds United around, winning promotion to
the First Division in 1963-64 in English football. Between 1965 and 1974, Revie's Leeds never finished outside of the top four, won two League Championships (1968-69 in English football and 1973-74 in English football), the FA Cup (1972 FA Cup Final), the Football League Cup (1968 Football League Cup Final) and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1967-68 and Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1970-71). Set against the success was an unenvied record of second places; during the same period Leeds were runners up in the League five times, losing finalists in the FA Cup three times, runners up in the Fairs Cup once, and losing finalists in the European Cup Winners Cup. Revie's last season at Elland Road was in 1974, and he left Leeds to take up the role of managing the English national team. Brian Clough was appointed as Revie's successor. This was a surprise appointment, as Clough had been an outspoken critic of Revie and the team's tactics. The team performed poorly under Clough, and after only 44 days he was dismissed and replaced by former England captain Jimmy Armfield. Armfield took Revie's ageing team to the 1975 European Cup Final of the European Cup 1974-75 UEFA Champions League, where they were defeated by FC Bayern Munich.

1975–1988: Legends fail as Managers

Assisted by coach Don Howe, Armfield rebuilt Revie's team, and though it no longer dominated English football, it remained in the top ten for subsequent seasons. However, the board was impatient for success and dismissed Armfield, replacing him with Jock Stein, who also lasted just 44 days before leaving to manage Scotland national football team. The board turned to Jimmy Adamson but he was unable to stop the decline. In 1980 Adamson resigned and was replaced by former Leeds and England star Allan Clarke (footballer). Despite spending freely on players, he was unable to stem the tide and Leeds United was relegated at the end of 1981-82 in English football. Clarke was replaced by former team-mate Eddie Gray (footballer). With no money to spend on team building, Gray concentrated on youth development, but was unable to guide them to promotion from the Second Division. The board again became impatient and sacked him in 1985, replacing him with another former Revie star, Billy Bremner. Bremner carried on where Gray had left off, but found it just as difficult to achieve promotion, though he did bring Leeds United close; Leeds got to the 1987 Football League Championship playoffs final but were defeated by Charlton Athletic F.C. after extra time, a result which prevented Leeds from winning promotion and ensured that Charlton avoided relegation. Leeds also endured a near miss in the FA Cup, losing to Coventry City F.C. in the semi-finals.

1988–1995: The Second Golden Era

In October 1988, with Leeds United 21st in the Second Division, Bremner was fired to make way for Howard Wilkinson, who oversaw promotion back to the First Division in 1989-90 in English football. Under Wilkinson Leeds United finished 4th in 1990-91 in English football and then won the title in 1991-92 in English football. However, the 1992-93 in English football season was a poor one, with Leeds exiting the UEFA Champions League 1992-93 in the early stages, and eventually finishing 17th in the League, narrowly avoiding relegation. Wilkinson's Leeds were unable to provide any consistent challenge for honours, and his position was not helped by a poor display in the Football League Cup Final 1996 which Leeds lost to Aston Villa F.C.. Leeds could only finish 13th in 1995-96 in English football, and after a 4–0 home defeat to Manchester United F.C. early in 1996-97 in English football, Wilkinson had his contract terminated.

1996–2001: Living the Dream

Leeds appointed George Graham (footballer) as Wilkinson's replacement. The appointment was controversial as Graham had previously received a one year ban from The Football Association for receiving illegal payments from a Football Agent. Graham made some astute purchases, and by the end of the season Leeds had qualified for the following season's UEFA Cup. In October 1998 Graham moved on to become manager of Tottenham Hotspur F.C., and Leeds opted to replace him with assistant manager David O'Leary. O'Leary introduced promising youngsters, and under the coaching of Eddie Gray (footballer) Leeds secured 3rd place in the league, sending Leeds United into the UEFA Champions League. Leeds' image was tarnished when players Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were involved in an incident which left an Asian student in hospital with severe injuries. The resulting courtcase took nearly two years to resolve; Bowyer was cleared, and Woodgate convicted of affray and sentenced to community service.

In the UEFA Cup, Leeds reached their first UEFA Cup 1999-00 in 25 years and were paired against Turkish champions Galatasaray A.Ş. in Istanbul. Leeds lost the game, but the result was overshadowed by the death of two Leeds fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were stabbed to death before the game. Leeds were only able to draw the return leg at Elland Road, thus going out of the competition. A minute's silence is held every year at the match closest to the anniversary of the incident to remember Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

2001-2004: Financial implosion

O'Leary's Leeds never finished outside of the top five, but following their appearance in the UEFA Champions League 2000-01 semi-final against Valencia CF their fortunes began to change. Under chairman Peter Ridsdale, Leeds had taken out large loans against the prospect of the share of the TV rights and sponsorship revenues that come with UEFA Champions League qualification and any subsequent progress in the competition. However, Leeds narrowly failed to qualify for the Champions League, and as a consequence did not receive enough income to repay the loans. The first indication that Leeds United was in financial trouble was the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United F.C. for approximately £30 million. Ridsdale and O'Leary publicly fell out over the sale, and O'Leary was sacked and replaced by former England national football team manager Terry Venables. Leeds performed badly under Venables, and other players were sold to repay the loans, including Jonathan Woodgate whom Ridsdale had promised Venables would not be sold. Tensions mounted between the pair, eventually resulting in the sacking of Venables, who was replaced by Peter Reid. By this time Leeds were in danger of relegation, but Reid saved Leeds from the drop in the penultimate game of the season. During this time Ridsdale had resigned from the Leeds board, and was replaced by economics expert Professor John McKenzie. An unsuccessful start to the 2003-04 in English football saw Peter Reid dismissed, and head coach Eddie Gray (footballer) took over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Gerald Krasner, an insolvency specialist, led a consortium of local businessmen which took over Leeds and under his chairmanship oversaw the sale of the clubs' assets, including senior and emerging youth players of any value. Caretaker manager Gray was largely blameless for the performance of Leeds United during the 2003-04 in English football as the majority of the squad was sold out from underneath him and despite his best efforts, Leeds were relegated after 14 years in the top flight. Following relegation, Gray's reign as caretaker manager was terminated, and Kevin Blackwell was appointed manager. Most of the remaining players were sold or released on free transfers to further reduce the wage bill. Leeds were eventually forced to sell both their training ground, for £4.2 million, and their Elland Road stadium in the autumn of 2004.

2004–Present: The Lower Leagues

The board finally sold Leeds United to Ken Bates for £10 million. Blackwell stabilized Leeds United by signing players on free transfers and low wages and Leeds finished the 2004-05 in English football season mid-table in the Football League Championship. In the 2005-06 in English football Leeds finished in the top 6 and made the Playoff English League promotion playoffs final, which they lost to Watford F.C.. On 10 September 2006, Kevin Blackwell announced that within a year Leeds United would be debt-free. However, the 2006-07 in English football season started badly and on 20 September 2006 Kevin Blackwell's contract as manager of Leeds United was terminated. Dennis Wise was eventually installed as his replacement after a month without a permanent manager, but was unable to lift Leeds United out of the relegation zone for much of the season, despite bringing a number of experienced loan players into the squad. With relegation virtually assured, Leeds entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (Administration (insolvency)) on 4 May 2007, thus incurring a league imposed 10 point deduction which officially relegated Leeds United to the third tier of English football.

The CVA was due to end on 3 July 2007 which would have allowed Bates to regain full control of the club. However HM Revenue and Customs challenged the CVA, a decision which could ultimately have resulted in the liquidation of the club. Under league rules, if Leeds United were still in administration at the start of the next season, Leeds would have been prevented from starting their campaign by the Football League. Following the challenge by HMRC, Leeds United was put up for sale by KPMG, and once again Ken Bates' bid was accepted. The league eventually sanctioned this under the "exceptional circumstances rule" but imposed a 15 point deduction due to Leeds United not following football league rules on clubs entering administration. On 31 August 2007 HMRC decided not to pursue their legal challenge any further. Wise guided Leeds to the play-off places at the start of 2008, despite the 15-point deduction. However, he controversially quit as manager on 28 January to take up a position in Kevin Keegan's new set-up at . The following day former club captain Gary McAllister was appointed as manager of the club. In spite of this mid-season managerial change, plus the well-publicised 15-point deduction, Leeds went on to secure a play-off place with one game to spare. They were however beaten 1–0 in the final by Doncaster Rovers F.C. in their first appearance at the new Wembley Stadium.

On 21 December 2008, manager McAllister was sacked after a run of poor results, including Leeds United's first defeat to non-league opponents, Histon F.C., in the 2nd round of the F.A. Cup. He was replaced by Simon Grayson, who controversially resigned from his post as manager of Blackpool FC to take the position, two days later Leeds' form improved under Grayson and they made the play-offs once again, also improving on the previous season's place by finishing 4th. However, this time they did not even make the play-off final, after being beaten over the two legs of the semi finals 2-1 on aggregate by Millwall F.C..

Colours and badge

In Leeds' first fifteen years Leeds United kit was modelled on Huddersfield Town F.C.'s blue and white striped shirts, white shorts and dark blue socks with blue and white rings on the turnovers, because Huddersfield's chairman Hilton Crowther was attempting to merge the two clubs. One of Leeds' first nicknames, 'The Peacocks, comes from the original name of Elland Road — 'The Old Peacock ground'. It was named by the original owners of the ground, Bentley's Brewery, after their pub 'The Old Peacock' which still faces the site. It is however owned by a leasing company at present. The stadium is currently the 10th largest football stadium in England.

The most recent stand at Elland Road is the East or Family Stand, a cantilever structure completed during the 1992-93 in English football season, and which can hold 17,000 seated spectators. It is a two tiered stand which continues around the corners, and is the largest part of the stadium. The Don Revie Stand was opened at the start of the 1994-95 in English football season, and can hold just under 7,000 seated spectators. The roof of the West Stand holds a television commentary gantry and walkway for TV personnel.

The supporters are renowned for singing signature song 'Marching On Together' during matches, other notable songs Leeds fans sing during games are 'We Are The Champions, Champions Of Europe' (more commonly known as WACCOE) in reference to the 1975 European Cup final when dubious refereeing decisions cost Leeds the title, and also the chance to defend the title, meaning Leeds would technically still be "Champions of Europe". Other popular chants commonly used by Leeds fans are 'Leeds, Leeds, Leeds' and 'Glory, Glory, Leeds United'.

Alex Ferguson has said that Elland Road has one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European Football. Leeds are 10th in the all time average attendance figures for the The Football League and FA Premier League. They have the third most rivalries in the English League but however are the most hated club in English football as of the start of the 2008-09 in English football season. Peter Reid commented after being relieved of his managerial duties at Elland Road that "In 30 years I've never seen support like I did at the Arsenal game at Elland Road a couple of weeks ago. The fans at Leeds are fantastic." Reid was also joined by two other previous managers on the eve of Leeds' first appearance in the third tier. Reid said that "the support is fantastic" and "incredible", Blackwell said "fans will follow them everywhere" and O'Leary commented "There is an immense fan base and they are still with the club".

Leeds United fans also have a salute which is known as the 'Leeds Salute'

Rivalries

Traditionally, Leeds' biggest rivalry has been with Manchester United; the rivalry can possibly be traced as far back as the War Of The Roses. However, this has diminished in recent years due to the continued success of the Manchester club and the dwindling fortunes of Leeds. It is likely that most Manchester United fans would consider Liverpool to be their biggest rivals. Other rivalries exist with local clubs such as Bradford City, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as Galatasaray, Chelsea, Cardiff City, Hull City and Millwall.

Music

In April 1972 the Leeds squad released a single, "Leeds United" with the b-side being Marching On Together (commonly known as "Marching On Together"). It was issued to coincide with Leeds United reaching the FA Cup Final 1972; the vocals on the original recording were by the Leeds team. The record reached number 10 in the UK singles chart. Whilst it is not officially Leeds United anthem, "Marching On Together" is played before every home game. Unlike many football songs that are just new words set to existing music, "Leeds Leeds Leeds" is an original composition by Les Reed and Barry Mason, purposely written for Leeds United. The song Strings for Yasmin by Tin Tin Out is played before kick off at Elland Road, whilst Nightmare by Brainbug is played before the second half.

Players

(Captain (association football))

Reserve and youth team

Notable players

Personnel

Club officials

Coaching and medical staff

League History

- 1920 – 1924: Football League Second Division
- 1924 – 1927: Football League First Division
- 1927 – 1928: Football League Second Division
- 1928 – 1931: Football League First Division
- 1931 – 1932: Football League Second Division
- 1932 – 1947: Football League First Division
- 1947 – 1956: Football League Second Division
- 1956 – 1960: Football League First Division
- 1960 – 1964: Football League Second Division
- 1964 – 1982: Football League First Division
- 1982 – 1990: Football League Second Division (old Tier 2)
- 1990 – 1992: Football League First Division (old Tier 1)
- 1992 – 2004: Premier League (new Tier 1)
- 2004 – 2007: Football League Championship (new Tier 2)
- 2007 – 20xx: Football League One (new Tier 3)
(Tier 1)
- - Winners (3) 1968-69 in English football, 1973-74 in English football, 1991-92 in English football
- - Runners-up (5) 1964-65 in English football, 1965-66 in English football, 1969-70 in English football, 1970-71 in English football, 1971-72 in English football

- List of winners of English Football League Championship and predecessors (Tier 2)
- - Winners (3) 1923-24 in English football, 1963-64 in English football, 1989-90 in English football
- - Runners-up (3) 1927-28 in English football, 1931-32 in English football, 1955-56 in English football
- - Play-Off Runners-up (1) 1987 Football League Second Division play-off Final

- Football League Championship (Tier 2)
- - Play-Off Runners-up (1) 2006 Football League Championship play-off Final

- Football League One (Tier 3)
- - Play-Off Runners-up (1) Football League One play-offs 2008
- - Play-Off Semi Finalists (1) Football League One play-offs 2009

Cups
- FA Cup
- - Winners (1) 1972 FA Cup Final
- - Runners-up (3) 1965 FA Cup Final, 1970 FA Cup Final, 1973 FA Cup Final

- Football League Cup
- - Winners (1) 1968 Football League Cup Final
- - Runners-up (1) 1996 Football League Cup Final

- FA Community Shield
- - Winners (2) 1969-70 in English football Honours, 1992-93 in English football Honours
- - Runners-up (1) 1974

- FA Youth Cup
- - Winners (2) 1993, 1997

European honours

- UEFA Champions League
- - Runners-up (1) 1975 European Cup Final

- UEFA Champions League
- - Semi-finalists (1) UEFA Champions League 2000-01

- UEFA Cup Winners Cup
- - Runners-up (1) UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1972-73

- UEFA Cup
- - Semi-finalists (1) UEFA Cup 1999-00

- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
- - Winners (2) Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1967-68, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1970-71
- - Runners-up (1) Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1966-67

- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Trophy Play-Off (1971) – Runners-up

- UEFA coefficients Top club by period
- - 1966–70, 1967–71, 1968–72

Records

Personnel honours

English Football Hall of Fame

The following have either played for or managed Leeds and have been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame :
(2002 Inaugural Inductee)
- John Charles (2002 Inaugural Inductee)
- Billy Bremner (2004 Inductee)
- Jack Charlton (2005 Inductee)
- Ian Rush (2006 Inductee)
(2002 Inaugural Inductee)
- Don Revie (2004 Inductee)
- Terry Venables (2007 Inductee)
- Jimmy Armfield (2008 Inductee)
:
(2004 Inaugural Inductee)
- Joe Jordan (footballer) (2005 Inductee)
- Gordon Strachan (2007 Inductee)
(2004 Inaugural Inductee)
:
(1993 Inductee)
- Ian Rush (2001 Inductee)
:

Football League 100 Legends

The following have played for Leeds and were included in the Football League 100 Legends :

- John Charles
- Johnny Giles
- Billy Bremner
- Norman Hunter (footballer)
- Ian Rush
- Eric Cantona

FWA Player of the Year

award whilst playing for Leeds :
- 1964-65 in English football Bobby Collins
- 1966-67 in English football Jack Charlton
- 1969-70 in English football Billy Bremner
- 1990-91 in English football Gordon Strachan

PFA Players' Player of the Year

award whilst playing for Leeds :
- 1973-74 in English football Norman Hunter (footballer)

PFA Young Player of the Year

award whilst playing for Leeds :
- 1999-00 in English football Harry Kewell

PFA Team of the Year

whilst playing for Leeds :
- 1998-99 in English football Nigel Martyn (Premiership)
- 1999-00 in English football Ian Harte, Gary Kelly (footballer born 1974), Harry Kewell, Nigel Martyn (Premiership)
- 2001-02 in English football Rio Ferdinand (Premiership)
- 2005-06 in English football Gary Kelly (footballer born 1974) (Championship)
- 2007-08 in English football Jermaine Beckford (League One)
- 2008-09 in English football Fabian Delph (League One)

Football League Awards

's Player of the Year whilst playing for Leeds :
- 2007-08 in English football Jermaine Beckford (League One)
The following have won the Football League's Young Player of the Year whilst playing for Leeds :
- 2008-09 in English football Fabian Delph

Goal of the Season

The following have won the Goal of the Season award whilst playing for Leeds :
- 1993-94 in English football Rod Wallace
- 1995-96 in English football Tony Yeboah

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

{ - A fictional bestselling novel by David Peace based on Brian Clough's tenure as manager of Leeds United.
- The Damned United - A 2009 film based on the above novel.
- The Penalty King - A 2006 film about a Leeds United fan whom goes blind after an accident and uses the Legend of Billy Bremner as inspiration to take up Football again.
- Leeds United (Amanda Palmer song) - A Song by Amanda Palmer.
- Paint It White: Following Leeds Everywhere and Leeds United: The Second Coat - Bestselling books by Gary Edwards, a man who has missed only one game, including friendlies, since he started watching Leeds United in 1968.

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