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==History==
==History==
{{details|Leeds United AFC History}}
===Leeds City===
<!-- This section is meant to be just a summary. Please do not add too much detail - the [[Leeds United AFC History]] article is intended for detailed additions. -->

Leeds United's predecessor club, [[Leeds City FC]], was formed in 1904 by the committee and supporters. It was forcibly disbanded by [[The Football League]] in 1919 in response to allegations of financial irregularities regarding illegal payments to players during the [[First World War]].
Leeds United's predecessor club, [[Leeds City FC]], was formed in 1904 by the committee and supporters. It was forcibly disbanded by [[The Football League]] in 1919 in response to allegations of financial irregularities regarding illegal payments to players during the [[First World War]].


Shortly after the collapse of {{fc|Leeds City}}, a new club, Leeds United, was formed and, shortly afterwards, began playing in the Midland League, taking the place vacated by Leeds City's reserve team. {{afc|Yorkshire Amateurs}}, who now occupied Elland Road, offered to make way for the new team under the management of former player [[Dick Ray]]. In 1920, Leeds were acquired by {{afc|Huddersfield Town}}'s then chairman, [[Hilton Crowther]]. Crowther also brought in a new manager, [[Arthur Fairclough]], from {{fc|Barnsley}}.
For further information visit [http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/history/leedscity.htm The Leeds City years], [http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/history/scandal19.htm The Leeds City Scandal] and [http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/Articles/1919-20article.html Leeds City expelled from the Football League.]

===Formation of Leeds United ===
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Shortly after the collapse of {{fc|Leeds City}}, a new club, Leeds United, was formed and, shortly afterwards, began playing in the Midland League, taking the place vacated by Leeds City's reserve team. {{afc|Yorkshire Amateurs}}, who now occupied Elland Road, offered to make way for the new team under the management of former player [[Dick Ray]]. In 1920, Leeds were acquired by {{afc|Huddersfield Town}}'s then chairman, [[Hilton Crowther]]. Crowther also brought in a new manager, [[Arthur Fairclough]], from {{fc|Barnsley}}. Crowther planned to amalgamate his two clubs into one and base them at [[Elland Road]] but a public outcry in the Huddersfield press put pay to this and enough money was raised in [[Huddersfield]] to buy Crowther out leaving him to concentrate solely on Leeds. Due to the large connection with [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield]], via the new chairman, Leeds adopted the home colours of Huddersfield for their first home kit<ref name=Kit1>Historical Kits [http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Leeds_United/Leeds_United.htm "Leeds United"], historicalkits.co.uk (accessed 13th Oct 2006)</ref>. The club applied for election to the Football League for the 1920-21 season, and were almost unanimously supported by current league clubs due to the sympathy amongst the current clubs for {{fc|Leeds City}}'s plight. In [[May]] [[1920]] the new club was elected to the Second Division, along with {{fc|Cardiff City}}.


===First Four Decades===
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Leeds's first fixture after their election was ironically against {{fc|Port Vale}}, the club who had taken up {{fc|Leeds City}}'s fixtures the previous season after their expulsion. Leeds lost the match 2-0, however Leeds first victory was the corresponding fixture at Elland Road only seven days later finishing Leeds United 3-1 Port Vale. Leeds went on to finish 14th in the league at the end of [[1920-21 in English football|1920-21]]. Over the following few years, Leeds consolidated their position in the Second Division and in [[1923-24 in English football|1924]] won the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] title with 54 points. However, they failed to establish themselves in the first division, finishing at highest 18th and were relegated in [[1926-27 in English football|1927]]. Leeds bounced instantly back finishing [[1927-28 in English football|2nd in the league]] to ensure automatic promotion and even managed to finish 5th in [[1929-30 in English football|1929-30]], however the [[1930-31 in English football|following season]] they were relegated once more. Leeds were again instantly re-promoted, again [[1931-32 in English football|finishing second]] and from [[1932-33 in English football|1932-33]] until the start of [[World War II]] Leeds were ever presents in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] finishing mostly in mid-table positions. It was in [[1934-35 in English football|1934-35]] that Leeds adopted their famous half yellow, half blue strip, in tribute to the defunct Leeds City, and this kit stayed in place until [[1947-48 in English football|1948]], with several plays on the colours being used between then and [[1960-61 in English football|1960-61]]<ref name=Kit1>Historical Kits [http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Leeds_United/Leeds_United.htm "Leeds United"], historicalkits.co.uk (accessed 13th Oct 2006)</ref>. The club also adopted their first badge in [[1934-35 in English football|1934]], using the city crest as Leeds City had. War however once again took it's toll on a Leeds team and the first official season after [[World War II]] Leeds were [[1946-47 in English football|relegated]] with the worst league record in their history, only winning six and drawing six of the forty-two matches they played. Leeds stayed in the Second Division for a further nine seasons occasionally coming close to promotion but never quite making it until [[1955-56 in English football|1955-56]], when Leeds once again won promotion to the First Division. The promotion team included the brilliant [[John Charles]], who scored 29 goals in 42 games to aid Leeds in their promotion charge, and then emerging defender [[Jack Charlton]]. Charles was just as good if not better in the First Division. In Leeds' first season after promotion Charles scored 39 goals, which still remains a club record, and Leeds finished a credible 8th in the league. Disaster struck however when the west stand at [[Elland Road]] was destroyed by fire at the end of the [[1956-57 in English football|1956-57]] season. This forced the club to sell Charles to {{fc|Juventus}} for £65,000 to help pay the re-construction costs. The sale was very detrimental to Leeds' performances on the pitch and they once again went into decline, eventually being relegated to the Second Division three seasons later in [[1959-60 in English football|1960]]. In [[March]] [[1961]] the club's directors appointed former England centre forward, and current player, [[Don Revie]] as player-manager.

===The Revie Period: "The Glory Days" ===
It was under Revie that Leeds enjoyed their most successful period, and during which they became probably the leading English football club. Revie's stewardship started in some difficulty; the club was in some financial difficulty and in the [[1961-62 in English football|1961-62 season]] only a win in the final game of the season saved the club from relegation to [[Football League Third Division|Division 3]].

However, Revie developed a new team around the Scottish midfielder [[Bobby Collins]], bringing through a crop of outstanding youngsters, including [[Norman Hunter]], [[Paul Reaney]], [[Gary Sprake]] and [[Billy Bremner]], and acquiring winger [[Johnny Giles]] from {{fc|Manchester United}}. In 1964 this new team won promotion once more to [[Football League First Division|Division 1]].

Leeds reputation was built on strong organisation, physical toughness (at a time when football was more physical than it is today) and terrific skill. Most of the team went on to become internationals; in 1970 the squad contained 17 full internationals (and again, it should be born in mind that this was at a time when players from outside the British Isles were rare in English football, and international players correspondingly more rare). Further players to emerge included [[Terry Cooper]], [[Peter Lorimer]] and [[Eddie Gray]], while key acquisitions included [[Allan Clarke (footballer)|Allan Clarke ]] (at the time for a British record transfer fee) and [[Mick Jones (footballer)|Mick Jones]].

While recognised as one of the finest post-war British teams, Leeds also developed a reputation for underachievement. During the late 1960s and early 1970s Leeds won the [[Football League First Division|league championship]] twice and the [[FA Cup]]. Many times the club came within proximity of success only to lose it at the last; their record during this period includes an inordinate number of second placings, including three in a row from 1970. However, under Revie Leeds won promotion to [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] in the [[1963-64 in English football|1963-64 season]]; two league championships, [[1968-69 in English football|1968-69]] (losing only two games) and [[1973-74 in English football|1973-74]], when the team went an incredible 29 games undefeated; the [[League Cup|League Cup]] in 1968; the [[UEFA Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] in 1968 and 1971; the FA Cup in [[FA Cup Final 1972|1972]]; and FA [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]] in 1969.

[[Marching On Together]] was recorded by the Leeds United squad of 1972 for the [[FA Cup]] Final that year. Since then it has become the club's anthem and is known by all true Leeds fans

Revie's last season at [[Elland Road]] concluded with Leeds winning the championship. In 1974, Revie, as the leading English manager of his day (comparable figures such as [[Matt Busby]] and [[Bill Shankly]] were [[Scotland|Scottish]]), left Leeds to take up the role of managing the English national team.

===The Post Revie period: Slow Decline===

Don Revie had recommended [[Johnny Giles]] as his replacement, and the thoughtful Giles went on to become a successful manager elsewhere. However, the club's board made the major error (which its successors would later repeat several times) of appointing the biggest, rather than the most appropriate, name. [[Brian Clough]] was at the time one of the most successful and outspoken English managers, having recently resigned his post at [[Derby County]], where he had won the league championship in 1972. Unfortunately he openly despised Revie, his team and his players. The team (and its supporters) returned the compliment, and after only 44 days (which still stands as the shortest period of time an English league club has been managed by an individual) of deadlock Clough was dismissed with (not for the last time for a departing Leeds manager) a significant payoff. He was replaced by former England captain [[Jimmy Armfield]], who took Revie's team to the final of the [[European Cup 1974-75|European Cup]], where they were defeated by [[Bayern Munich]]. Armfield (with noted coach [[Don Howe]]) rebuilt Revie's team, and though it no longer dominated English football, it remained in the top six for subsequent seasons. However, the board was impatient for success and dismissed Armfield, replacing him with another managerial legend, [[Jock Stein]].

Many Leeds United fans feel disgruntled due to refereeing decisions made during the [[European Cup 1974-75]] final. [[Peter Lorimer]] had an effort disallowed due to a dubious [[offside]] decision given against captain [[Billy Bremner]]. The referee also turned down two Leeds claims for a penalty firstly when [[Franz Beckenbauer]] looked to have handled the ball inside the penalty area and then when the [[Bayern Munich]] captain tripped [[Allan Clarke]]. In response to these Leeds fans ripped out seats at the [[Parc des Princes]] stadium. This resulted in Leeds receiving a three-year European ban. This match is the reason Leeds fans still sing "We are the Champions, Champions of Europe" as they feel they were "robbed" of the title that season, and along with not having the opportunity to defend the title the following season they would have remained as "Champions of Europe".

Unfortunately, and à la Clough, Stein remained in the role for only a short period of time (again like Clough, his tenure lasted 44 days), leaving (on far better terms than did Clough) to take up an invitation to manage the Scottish national team. The board turned to [[Jimmy Adamson]], a long-time manager at {{fc|Burnley}} but not from the "top tier" of management. At this point the decline shifted a gear. In 1980 Adamson was in turn fired, and replaced by former Leeds and England star Allan Clarke. Clarke, despite spending freely on players, was unable to stem the tide and the club was relegated at the end of the [[1981-82 in English football|1981-82 season]]. Clarke was in his turn replaced by former team-mate [[Eddie Gray]].

Gray's concentration on youth development turned round Leeds' precarious financial situation, without winning them promotion from the second division. Most Leeds supporters would give Gray the benefit of the doubt during this period as he had no money to spend on team building, and those players he developed were often sold off as well. However the board again became impatient and sacked him in 1985, replacing him with another former Revie star, former Leeds and Scotland captain Billy Bremner. Bremner carried on where Gray had left off, but found it just as difficult to achieve promotion, though he did bring the club close to success. Under Bremner, the club were defeated 2-1 in the 1987 play-off final, after extra time, against {{fc|Charlton Athletic}}, and in the same year, were beaten 3-2, after extra-time, in the [[FA Cup]] semi-final losing to {{fc|Coventry City}}. In [[October]] [[1988]], with the team standing at 21st position in [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]], Bremner was fired to make way for [[Howard Wilkinson]].

===The Wilkinson Period: Re-emergence===

Wilkinson, with extra money to spend, set about building a team capable of promotion, one which combined youth and experience, and toughness with guile. Key acquisitions included winger [[Gordon Strachan]] from [[Manchester United]], well-known "hard man", [[Vinnie Jones]], right back [[Mel Sterland]], striker [[Lee Chapman]] and centre half [[Chris Fairclough]]. He also began to bring players through from the youth team, including [[David Batty]] (actually a product of the Bremner era) and [[Gary Speed]]. The following season Leeds finally won promotion back to the [[Football League First Division|first division]], after an absence of eight years.

[[Image:Charity_Shield.jpg|thumb|float|325px|left|The Leeds United [[English football champions|Championship]] and [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]] winning side of [[1991]]-[[1992|92]]]]

Wilkinson continued to rebuild the team, discarding players such as Jones who had been brought in specifically to deal with the physicality of second division football, and bringing in goalkeeper [[John Lukic]] (the club's first £1m signing), defender [[Chris Whyte]] and promising midfielder [[Gary McAllister|Gary M<sup>c</sup>allister]]. The club finished its first season back in the first division in fourth place, and the board continued to make money available to Wilkinson, allowing the signings of England left back [[Tony Dorigo]], England midfielder [[Steve Hodge]] and striker [[Rod Wallace]] and in [[February]] [[1992]] they signed [[Éric Cantona]], the talented and charismatic - but highly disruptive - French star. In 1992 Leeds won the final old [[Football League First Division|First Division]] championship ([[1991-92 in English football|1991-92]]). They also won the [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]] 4-3 against Liverpool in 1992.

However, the following season was a poor one, with Leeds finishing 17th in the League (three places above relegation). The club had set its sights on winning the [[UEFA Champions League]] but progress was halted by {{fc|Rangers}} who beat the English champions in both legs of a pulsating clash labelled the "Battle of Britain". [[Éric Cantona]] moved to Leeds' biggest rivals Manchester United in [[November]] [[1992]] for the relatively small fee of 1.2 million pounds, much to the disgust of the Leeds United fans. Reports at the time suggested that boss [[Howard Wilkinson]] sold [[Éric Cantona|Cantona]] because he had had an affair with [[Lee Chapman]]'s wife [[Leslie Ash]] and the two could not continue in the same team, however these reports were never confirmed or denied. While Cantona proved to be the essential final jigsaw piece in Manchester's emerging team, Wilkinson's subsequent teams failed to gel, despite inspired signings such as [[Nigel Martyn]], [[Lucas Radebe]] and [[Lee Bowyer]]. Additionally, other key players, such as [[Gary Speed]] and [[David Batty]], left to fuel Wilkinson's transfer strategy. Wilkinson's position with the board had become more precarious with the sale of the club in 1992 to a new consortium, and wasn't helped by a chronic, negative display in the [[Football League Cup#Since 1967 (single game)|1996 League Cup final]] which saw star striker [[Tomas Brolin]], left on the bench and {{fc|Aston Villa}} win 3-0. Leeds only finished 13th in [[1995-96 in English football|1995-96]], and early in the [[1996-97 in English football|1996-97]] season, after a particularly painful Cantona-inspired 4-0 home defeat by Manchester United, Wilkinson had his contract terminated.

===George Graham: Rejuvenation===
Leeds controversially appointed [[George Graham (footballer)|George Graham]], rescuing him from the football scrap heap; Graham had been out of a job since being accused of accepting illegal payments at his former club {{fc|Arsenal}}. When Graham arrived, he stepped into a club where the players' morale was low; he started work immediately by sorting out the team's defence and he became the "bore draw" specialist. At the start of the season, Graham brought in some bargain buys, notably [[Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink]] for £2 million ([[Pound Sterling|GBP]]). Graham introduced Australian youngster [[Harry Kewell]] from the youth team and he quickly became a fan favourite with his pace, skill, enthusiasm and eye for goal. At the end of the season Leeds booked its place in the [[UEFA Cup]] for the next season. The [[1998-99 in English football|1998-99 season]] saw Leeds scrape past [[CS Marítimo]] in the UEFA Cup; however, stories were circulating that George Graham had accepted an offer from {{fc|Tottenham Hotspur}}. Graham denied this, but a week later he was indeed manager of the north [[London]] club.

===The O'Leary Period: Living the Dream=== <!-- please discuss this on the talk page if you think "Nearly Men" is more appropriate -->
Leeds United searched for a new manager for weeks with [[Martin O'Neill (footballer)|Martin O'Neill]] seeming certain to take the job; however pressure from {{fc|Leicester City}} fans meant O'Neill stayed on as their manager and subsequently snubbed Leeds United. Instead Leeds opted for [[David O'Leary]], George Graham's assistant manager.

Under O'Leary the glory days seemed likely to return. On the pitch he let his team do the talking. He introduced promising youngsters like [[Jonathan Woodgate]], [[Alan Smith]] and [[Stephen McPhail]] to complement the likes of [[Harry Kewell]] and [[Ian Harte]], who were already established first teamers. The fans and pundits saw a new vigorous and dynamic Leeds United side. A young and inexperienced Leeds side narrowly lost in Rome against Italian giants [[AS Roma]] and Leeds were unable to break the deadlock a week later at [[Elland Road]].

With David O'Leary in charge the [[1999-00 in English football|1999-2000 season]] approached and was looking good for Leeds. O'Leary put himself across to the media as "naïve" and his squad were just "babies". But those "babies" played fast-paced, attacking football under the coaching of [[Eddie Gray]]. Leeds were again paired with AS Roma in the [[UEFA Cup]] and beat them this time over two legs, via a long range effort from Harry Kewell. The superb run in the UEFA Cup was complemented by good form in the league, with a win at Watford sending Leeds top of the league. Leeds secured 3rd place in the league that season sending the club into the [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time. The Champions League campaign was marked by victories over Anderlecht and Deportive La Corunua on a run to the Semi-Finals.

[[Image:Ellandrd.jpg|thumb|float|250px|Leeds United's home ground, Elland Road]]

However, if there ever was a point in Leeds United's history that would change the club it occurred during January 2000. [[Jonathan Woodgate]] and [[Lee Bowyer]] were involved in an incident in [[Leeds City Centre]] outside the Majestyk nightclub, which left an Asian student in hospital with severe injuries. The fact that the victim of the attack was Asian meant the players, fans and the club were under the spotlight as the [[tabloid]] press speculated that the attack was racially motivated. The judge in the case however told the jury to disregard any notion of the attack having a racist underlying when making a verdict. This case increased the labelling of Leeds as "racist" and "dirty" in certain tabloid newspapers, although Leeds have had labels such as this since the early 60's. A large percentage of supporters boycott the [[Daily Mirror]] because they strongly deny this and find the accusation offensive. It took nearly two years to resolve as the start-stop court case came to a close. Bowyer was cleared and Woodgate convicted of affray and sentenced to community service. Bowyer played some of the finest football of his career during the trial and would often drive straight from court to play for Leeds; however, Woodgate’s form deteriorated and he had to sit out games due to pressure.

Leeds’ UEFA Cup run continued, beating [[Slavia Praha]] ([[Prague]]) in the quarter finals, Leeds reached their first [[UEFA Cup 1999-00|European semi-final]] in 25 years and were paired against Turkish champions [[Galatasaray]], notorious for their fanatical support. Another dark moment in Leeds’ history was around the corner when two Leeds United fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were brutally stabbed to death before the game in [[Istanbul]]<ref>{{cite web | title=BBC News 6th Apr 2000 - Fans killed in Turkey violence | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/703283.stm | accessdate=September 17 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=BBC News 7th Apr 2000 - Turk 'admits' stabbing Leeds fan | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/704680.stm | accessdate=September 17 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref>. The Turkish FA allowed the game to go ahead that night, Leeds lost 2-0. The return leg in [[Leeds]] had the most charged, emotional yet poisonous atmosphere. Outside the ground saw running battles between police and fans and there were attacks on Turkish TV crews, the game saw Harry Kewell sent off and a 2-2 ([[Eirik Bakke]] with two goals) score was not enough for Leeds, as they went out of the competition. A minute's silence<ref>{{cite web | title=BBC News 9th Apr 2000 - Silence for killed Leeds fans | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/706936.stm | accessdate=September 17 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> is held every year at the match closest to the anniversary of the incident to remember Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight. It had been planned to name the two roads leading to a proposed new ground after Christopher and Kevin in memory of them.

Following their appearance in the [[UEFA Champions League]] [[UEFA Champions League 2000-01|semi-final]] against [[Valencia, CF|Valencia]] Leeds' fortunes started to change. Although the general public were unaware, the club under the leadership of Peter Ridsdale had taken out loans worth extremely large sums of money. In reflection this was not a smart move at all. Leeds started the [[2001-02 in English football|2001-02 season]] needing to qualify for the Champions League after missing out by one spot to {{fc|Liverpool}} the previous season.

However this was not to be, Leeds started well and on New Year's Day 2002 were on top of the Premiership. From here on things went downhill and eventually Leeds finished fifth, missing out on the much coveted Champions League spot again. Many fans blame this failure on a harsh offside flag in a [[March 3]] match against [[Manchester United]] which resulted in a potentially match winning goal being disallowed. Had Leeds won the match they would have made the Champions League.

Following [[Rio Ferdinand]]'s strong performances at the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] there were rumours circulating that he would be sold. Eventually in [[July 2002]] he was sold to Leeds' hated rivals {{fc|Manchester United}} for a sum of approximately £30,000,000. David O'Leary was also sacked and replaced by former England manager [[Terry Venables]].

===Another Decline===

Under Venables, [[Robbie Keane]] was sold to {{fc|Tottenham Hotspur}}; this was only the start of the fire sale due to increasing debts and an unsustainable wage bill. In the [[January 2003]] transfer window [[Robbie Fowler]] (to {{fc|Manchester City}}), [[Olivier Dacourt]] (to [[AS Roma]]), [[Lee Bowyer]] (to {{fc|West Ham United}}) and [[Jonathan Woodgate]] (to {{fc|Newcastle United}}) left the club in a bid to ease the financial burden. The sale of Woodgate particularly upset Venables, who had been promised by Ridsdale that Woodgate would not be sold. Tensions mounted between the pair, eventually resulting in the sacking of Venables, who was replaced by [[Peter Reid]]. With his no-nonsense style of management, Reid helped crush any lingering fears of relegation. The finest result during the final few weeks of the [[2002-03 in English football|2002-03 season]] was a 6-1 away win over [[Charlton Athletic|Charlton]] with [[Mark Viduka]] thrillingly scoring a hat-trick, and a 3-2 win away to Arsenal in the penultimate game of the season which saw {{fc|Arsenal}} surrender their championship crown, to {{fc|Manchester United}}. This result officially kept Leeds in the Premiership. During this time the now hated Peter Ridsdale resigned from the Leeds board and was replaced by Professor [[John McKenzie]].

During the summer of 2003 [[Harry Kewell]] controversially left Leeds for {{fc|Liverpool}} for a paltry sum; what exactly happened is still unknown, but many Leeds fans felt Kewell and his agent [[Bernie Mandic]] acted immorally, and robbed the club of millions of pounds.

Leeds were in serious decline, and many fans were beginning to question their future under the current management. The season ahead looked extremely bleak, with many fans fearing relegation and decades of ignominy in the lower divisions, while the Leeds 'fire-sale' continued.


Leeds's first fixture after their election was ironically against {{fc|Port Vale}}, the club who had taken up {{fc|Leeds City}}'s fixtures the previous season after their expulsion. Leeds lost the match 2-0, however Leeds first victory was the corresponding fixture at Elland Road only seven days later finishing Leeds United 3-1 Port Vale. Over the following few years, Leeds consolidated their position in the Second Division and in [[1923-24 in English football|1924]] won the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] title with 54 points. However, they failed to establish themselves in the first division and were relegated in [[1926-27 in English football|1927]]. The following years up until the start of [[World War II]] Leeds were twice relegated and instantly re-promoted the following season. The first official season after [[World War II]] Leeds were [[1946-47 in English football|relegated]] with the worst league record in their history. Leeds stayed in the Second Division for a further nine seasons until [[1955-56 in English football|1955-56]], when Leeds once again won promotion to the First Division. [[John Charles] was great in the First Division and in the first season after promotion Charles scored 39 goals, which still remains a club recordDisaster struck however when the west stand at [[Elland Road]] was destroyed by fire at the end of the [[1956-57 in English football|1956-57]] season. This forced the club to sell Charles to {{fc|Juventus}} for £65,000 to help pay the re-construction costs. The sale was very detrimental to Leeds' performances on the pitch and they once again went into decline, eventually being relegated to the Second Division three seasons later in [[1959-60 in English football|1960]].
An unsuccessful start to the [[2003-04 in English football|2003-04 season]] (Leeds collected just 8 points from the club's first 12 Premiership fixtures) saw [[Peter Reid]] dismissed, following a 6-1 defeat at {{fc|Portsmouth}} in early November. Fans' hero and former manager, [[Eddie Gray]], took over as caretaker manager - appointed until the end of the season.


In [[March]] [[1961]] the club's directors appointed former England centre forward, and current player, [[Don Revie]] as player-manager. It was under Revie that Leeds enjoyed their most successful period, and during which they became probably the leading English football club. Revie's stewardship started in some difficulty; the club was in some financial difficulty and in the [[1961-62 in English football|1961-62 season]] only a win in the final game of the season saved the club from relegation to [[Football League Third Division|Division 3]].In 1964 this new team won promotion once more to [[Football League First Division|Division 1]]. While recognised as one of the finest post-war British teams, Leeds also developed a reputation for underachievement. Under Revie Leeds won promotion to [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] in the [[1963-64 in English football|1963-64 season]]; two league championships, [[1968-69 in English football|1968-69]] (losing only two games) and [[1973-74 in English football|1973-74]], when the team went an incredible 34 games undefeated; the [[League Cup|League Cup]] in 1968; the [[UEFA Cup|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] in 1968 and 1971; the FA Cup in [[FA Cup Final 1972|1972]]; and FA [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]] in 1969. 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.
Gray continued the trend of recent years in rebuilding with young players, including midfielders [[James Milner (footballer)|James Milner]] (born 1986), who broke [[Wayne Rooney]]'s record for youngest player to score in the Premier League, and [[Aaron Lennon]] (born 1987), the youngest player ever to play in the league. Leeds continue to have a strong youth setup, with players such as [[Simon Walton]] and [[Matthew Kilgallon]] regularly seen in the first team.


[[Brian Clough]] was appointed as Don's successor which to many was a big supprise. The team ,and its supporters, openly disliked Clough, and after only 44 days Clough was dismissed He was replaced by former England captain [[Jimmy Armfield]], who took Revie's team to the final of the [[European Cup 1974-75|European Cup]], where they were defeated by [[Bayern Munich]]. Armfield (with noted coach [[Don Howe]]) rebuilt Revie's team, and though it no longer dominated English football, it remained in the top six for subsequent seasons. However, the board was impatient for success and dismissed Armfield, replacing him with another managerial legend, [[Jock Stein]]. Unfortunately, Stein remained in the role for only a short period of time , leaving after 44 days to take up an invitation to manage the Scottish national team. The board turned to [[Jimmy Adamson]], a long-time manager at {{fc|Burnley}}. At this point the decline shifted a gear. In 1980 Adamson was in turn fired, and replaced by former Leeds and England star [[Allan Clarke (footballer)|Allan Clarke]]. Clarke, despite spending freely on players, was unable to stem the tide and the club was relegated at the end of the [[1981-82 in English football|1981-82 season]]. Clarke was in his turn replaced by former team-mate [[Eddie Gray]].
A period of serious financial difficulty ended in early 2004 with a takeover by a consortium, led by new chairman [[Gerald Krasner]]. Nevertheless, the team continued to struggle on the field. Facing relegation against [[Bolton Wanderers]], the team failed to win at [[Reebok Stadium|The Reebok]], losing 4-1. Relegation to the [[Football League Championship]] at the end of the [[2003-04 in English football|2003-04 season]] ended a fourteen-year run at the highest level of the [[English football league system]] that included the first twelve seasons of the [[FA Premier League|Premiership]].


Gray's concentration on youth development turned round Leeds' precarious financial situation, without winning them promotion from the second division. Most Leeds supporters would give Gray the benefit of the doubt during this period as he had no money to spend on team building, and those players he developed were often sold off as well. However the board again became impatient and sacked him in 1985, replacing him with another former Revie star, former Leeds and Scotland captain [[Billy Bremner]]. Bremner carried on where Gray had left off, but found it just as difficult to achieve promotion, though he did bring the club close to success. Under Bremner, the club were defeated 2-1 in the 1987 play-off final, after extra time, against {{fc|Charlton Athletic}}, and in the same year, were beaten 3-2, after extra-time, in the [[FA Cup]] semi-final losing to {{fc|Coventry City}}.
Following confirmation of the club's relegation, Gray's reign as caretaker manager was terminated. His former assistant, [[Kevin Blackwell]], was appointed caretaker manager for the final match of the season, and afterwards as permanent manager.


In [[October]] [[1988]], with the team standing at 21st position in [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]], Bremner was fired to make way for [[Howard Wilkinson]]. The following season Leeds finally won promotion back to the [[Football League First Division|first division]], after an absence of eight years. Wilkinson continued to rebuild the team and the club finished its first season back in the first division in fourth place. In 1992 Leeds won the final old [[Football League First Division|First Division]] championship ([[1991-92 in English football|1991-92]]). They also won the [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]] 4-3 against Liverpool in 1992. The following season was a poor one, with Leeds finishing 17th in the League (three places above relegation). Wilkinson's position with the board had become more precarious with the sale of the club in 1992 to a new consortium, and wasn't helped by a chronic, negative display in the [[Football League Cup Final 1996|1996 League Cup final]] which saw star striker [[Tomas Brolin]], left on the bench and {{fc|Aston Villa}} win 3-0. Leeds only finished 13th in [[1995-96 in English football|1995-96]], and early in the [[1996-97 in English football|1996-97]] season, after a particularly painful Cantona-inspired 4-0 home defeat by Manchester United, Wilkinson had his contract terminated.
Goalkeeper [[Paul Robinson (goalkeeper)|Paul Robinson]] was sold to {{fc|Tottenham Hotspur}} at season's end. Alan Smith went to {{fc|Manchester United}}. [[Dominic Matteo]] was allowed to go to {{fc|Blackburn Rovers}}, [[Mark Viduka]] was sold to {{fc|Middlesbrough}}, and even [[James Milner (footballer)|Milner]], who Leeds had been intent on keeping, had to be sold to {{fc|Newcastle United}}. In their place Leeds began signing players prepared to accept lower wages.


Leeds controversially appointed [[George Graham (footballer)|George Graham]]. At the start of the season, Graham brought in some bargain buys and introduced Australian youngster [[Harry Kewell]] from the youth team. At the end of the season Leeds booked its place in the [[UEFA Cup]] for the next season. The [[1998-99 in English football|1998-99 season]] saw Graham move to become manager of the north [[London]] club. Leeds opted for [[David O'Leary]], George Graham's assistant manager. Under O'Leary the glory days seemed likely to return. On the pitch he let his team do the talking. He introduced promising youngsters like [[Jonathan Woodgate]], and [[Alan Smith]] The fans and pundits saw a new vigorous and dynamic Leeds United side. Leeds youngsters played fast-paced, attacking football under the coaching of [[Eddie Gray]]. They secured 3rd place in the league that season sending the club into the [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time. However, Leeds image was tarnished when players [[Jonathan Woodgate]] and [[Lee Bowyer]] were involved in an incident in [[Leeds City Centre]] outside the Majestyk nightclub, which left an Asian student in hospital with severe injuries. It took nearly two years to resolve as the start-stop court case came to a close. Bowyer was cleared and Woodgate convicted of affray and sentenced to community service.
===Aiming for a Return to the Premiership===


Leeds reached their first [[UEFA Cup 1999-00|European semi-final]] in 25 years and were paired against Turkish champions [[Galatasaray]], notorious for their fanatical support. Another dark moment in Leeds’ history was around the corner when two Leeds United fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were brutally stabbed to death before the game in [[Istanbul]]<ref>{{cite web | title=BBC News 6th Apr 2000 - Fans killed in Turkey violence | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/703283.stm | accessdate=September 17 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=BBC News 7th Apr 2000 - Turk 'admits' stabbing Leeds fan | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/704680.stm | accessdate=September 17 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref>. Leeds lost 2-0. The return leg in [[Leeds]] had the most charged, emotional yet poisonous atmosphere. The game saw Harry Kewell sent off and a 2-2 score was not enough for Leeds, as they went out of the competition. A minute's silence<ref>{{cite web | title=BBC News 9th Apr 2000 - Silence for killed Leeds fans | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/706936.stm | accessdate=September 17 | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> is held every year at the match closest to the anniversary of the incident to remember Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.
On [[21 January]] [[2005]], Krasner announced the sale of a 50% stake to [[Ken Bates]] for a reported £10,000,000 and Bates became the club's new Chairman, replacing Krasner. This investment effectively saved Leeds United. All now associated with the club appear to have cautiously welcomed the takeover as there was little other option. Bates has headed three other league football clubs but most famously, {{fc|Chelsea}}.


Following their appearance in the [[UEFA Champions League]] [[UEFA Champions League 2000-01|semi-final]] against [[Valencia, CF|Valencia]] Leeds' fortunes started to change. Although the general public were unaware, the club under the leadership of Peter Ridsdale had taken out loans worth extremely large sums of money against future gates reciepts, and along with the team not performing as the loans required, Leeds slipped further and further into debt. The first signs to the fans was the sale of [[Rio Ferdinand]] to Leeds' hated rivals {{fc|Manchester United}} for a sum of approximately £30m. David O'Leary was then sacked and replaced by former England manager [[Terry Venables]]. Under Venables, the team didn't perform that well and many of Leeds' stars were sold 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]]. Reid finally saved Leeds with a 3-2 win away to Arsenal in the penultimate game of the season During this time the now hated Peter Ridsdale resigned from the Leeds board and was replaced by Professor [[John McKenzie]]. Unfortunately more star players left for financially questionable fees. An unsuccessful start to the [[2003-04 in English football|2003-04 season]] saw [[Peter Reid]] dismissed, and fans' hero and former manager, [[Eddie Gray]], took over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
With Ken Bates as the new chairman of Leeds United, the club's finances have been secured and bankruptcy is no longer likely. However, [[Aaron Lennon]] became the latest young talent to be sold on during the close season of 2005. Leeds ended the [[2004-05 in English football|2004-05]] Coca-Cola championship campaign with a midtable finish.


Gray continued the trend of recent years in rebuilding with young players with finances severely limiting anything the club could do in the transfer maket. Leeds were now in a reported 121 million pounds of debt. This was also a serious concern for the players. The team continued to struggle on the field and were eventually relegated after 14 years in the top flight. Following confirmation of the club's relegation, Gray's reign as caretaker manager was terminated. [[Kevin Blackwell]] was appointed manager. Most of Leeds' remaining stars were sold or released on free transfers to simply ease the pressure on finances with even teenage starlet [[James Milner]] leaving the club.
With six new players brought in over the summer, the club's goal during the [[2005-06 in English football|2005-06 season]] was promotion. At Christmas 2005, halfway through the season, Leeds had achieved the best record since they were relegated (four wins in a row) and lay in 3rd place in the Championship. [[2 February]] [[2006]] saw the announcement of a new sponsorship with [[Bet24]] to start from the start of the [[2006-07 in English football|2006/07 season]]. [[Bet24]] replaces [[Whyte & Mackay]] as the clubs shirt sponsor. At the beginning of March, Kevin Blackwell signed an extension to his contract, which was to keep him at Leeds United for another three years.


The club finally managed to start a turn around however on [[21 January]] [[2005]] when Leeds Chairman Gerald Krasner announced the sale of a 50% stake to [[Ken Bates]] for a reported £10m, with Bates became the club's new Chairman. Leeds stabalised signing players on free-transfers and low wages and ended the [[2004-05 in English football|2004-05]] season midtable. With six new players brought in over the summer, the club's goal during the [[2005-06 in English football|2005-06 season]] was promotion. At the beginning of March, Kevin Blackwell signed an extension to his contract, which was to keep him at Leeds United for another three years. Leeds finished the season inside the play-off zone and made the playoff final, to be played against {{fc|Watford}}. They lost 3-0 in this final. On [[10 September]] [[2006]], [[Kevin Blackwell]] announced that within a year the club would be debt free. <ref name=BBC1>BBC (10/09/2006). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/5332286.stm "Leeds may be debt-free in a year"] bbc.co.uk (accessed 11th Sept 2006)</ref>. The [[2006-07 in English football|2006-07]] season however started badly and on 20th September 2006 [[Kevin Blackwell]]'s contract as manager of Leeds United was terminated. There were reports that Blackwell was dismissed for gross misconduct<ref name=LUMad1>Leeds Utd Mad (22/09/2006). [http://leedsutd-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=299710 Mystery Over Blackwell Sacking] LeedsUtd-Mad.co.uk (accessed 23rd Sept 2006)</ref>. John Carver was appointed Caretaker manager untill a replacement could be installed.
[[Image:Milleniumstadiumchampionshipplayofffinal06.jpg|thumb|left|250px|'''Championship Play-off final''' 2006. (Leeds vs Watford)]]
Blackwell's shrewd tactics away from Elland Road and attacking style at home (where 9 out of 10 matches were won) proved very effective and by the end of February he had guided Leeds to 3rd place in the Championship, virtually guaranteeing a play off spot, and with automatic promotion remaining a distinct possibility. However, United then produced some distinctly average performances and settled for their play-off place after gaining just 4 points from a possible 18 with four games of the season left to play, and finished the season with the worst form of any team in the Championship (with the exception of {{fc|Queens Park Rangers}}). Leeds lost 2-0 to {{fc|Preston North End}} on Sunday [[April 30]] to seal a meeting with the Lancashire outfit in the first round of the playoffs. After a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, Leeds won 2-0 at [[Deepdale]] to advance to the playoff final, to be played against {{fc|Watford}}. They lost 3-0 in this final, and will therefore be playing once more in the Championship during the [[2006-07 in English football|2006-07 season]]. Since the Play-Off Final [[Sam Ellis]], [[Kevin Blackwell|Blackwell]]'s Assistant Manager, has left the club. Ellis was replaced by [[John Carver (footballer)|John Carver]], who had previously performed the same role at {{fc|Newcastle United}} under [[Bobby Robson]]. Ex-England scout [[David Geddis]] was also brought onboard as reserve team manager to help in the development of the club’s under-18 players. Geddis and Carver previously worked together at Newcastle. [[Gwyn Williams]] has been appointed as Technical Director from {{fc|Chelsea}} aimed mainly at scouting.


==Current Events==
On [[10 September]] [[2006]], [[Kevin Blackwell]] announced that within a year the club would be debt free. Just over 2 years before, Leeds United were £121 million pounds in debt<ref name=BBC1>BBC (10/09/2006). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/5332286.stm "Leeds may be debt-free in a year"] bbc.co.uk (accessed 11th Sept 2006)</ref>.


On 20th September 2006 [[Kevin Blackwell]]'s contract as manager of [[Leeds United]] was terminated following a poor start to the season. There have however been reports that Blackwell was dismissed for gross misconduct<ref name=LUMad1>Leeds Utd Mad (22/09/2006). [http://leedsutd-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=299710 Mystery Over Blackwell Sacking] LeedsUtd-Mad.co.uk (accessed 23rd Sept 2006)</ref>. Current names being mentioned for the vacant manager's position include [[Dennis Wise]], [[Joe Royle]], [[Glenn Hoddle]], [[Kevin Keegan]], [[Claudio Ranieri]] and current caretaker manager [[John Carver (footballer)|John Carver]], yet the favourite is [[Alan Curbishley]]<ref name=BBC2>BBC (22/09/2006).[http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2006/09/22/sport_united_manager_candidates_feature.shtml BBC - Leeds - Sport - Leeds United - Runners and riders...] bbc.co.uk (accessed 23rd Sept 2006)</ref>. [[Alan Curbishley]] has stated he wants to complete his 6 months out of football before he accepts a position, meaning if the club wanted him they must wait until the middle of October. [[Alan Curbishley|Curbishley]] has previously turned down positions in the [[FA Premier League|Premiership]] and abroad to keep to his 6 month sabbatical from football<ref name=SKSP1>Sky Sports (23/09/2006). [http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=417802&CPID=10&clid=2&lid=&title=Curbs+still+on+holiday Curbs still on holiday] SkySports.com (accessed 23rd Sept 2006)</ref>. Alan has however stated that he is flattered by the interest from Leeds<ref name=BBC3>BBC Sport (02/10/2006). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/5400120.stm Curbishley denies Leeds job offer] bbc.co.uk (accessed 3rd October 2006)</ref>.The second favourite [[Claudio Ranieri]] has stated that he would love to manage Leeds United, and eventually take them back into European competitions<ref name=SKSP2>Sky Sports (28/09/2006). [http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=418736&CPID=10&clid=2&lid=&title=Ranieri+ready+for+Leeds+role Ranieri ready for Leeds role] SkySports.com (accessed 28th Sept 2006)</ref>.
Current names being mentioned for the vacant manager's position include [[Dennis Wise]], [[Joe Royle]], [[Glenn Hoddle]], [[Kevin Keegan]], [[Claudio Ranieri]] and current caretaker manager [[John Carver (footballer)|John Carver]], yet the favourite is [[Alan Curbishley]]<ref name=BBC2>BBC (22/09/2006).[http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2006/09/22/sport_united_manager_candidates_feature.shtml BBC - Leeds - Sport - Leeds United - Runners and riders...] bbc.co.uk (accessed 23rd Sept 2006)</ref>. [[Alan Curbishley]] has stated he wants to complete his 6 months out of football before he accepts a position, meaning if the club wanted him they must wait until the middle of October. [[Alan Curbishley|Curbishley]] has previously turned down positions in the [[FA Premier League|Premiership]] and abroad to keep to his 6 month sabbatical from football<ref name=SKSP1>Sky Sports (23/09/2006). [http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=417802&CPID=10&clid=2&lid=&title=Curbs+still+on+holiday Curbs still on holiday] SkySports.com (accessed 23rd Sept 2006)</ref>. Alan has however stated that he is flattered by the interest from Leeds<ref name=BBC3>BBC Sport (02/10/2006). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/5400120.stm Curbishley denies Leeds job offer] bbc.co.uk (accessed 3rd October 2006)</ref>.The second favourite [[Claudio Ranieri]] has stated that he would love to manage Leeds United, and eventually take them back into European competitions<ref name=SKSP2>Sky Sports (28/09/2006). [http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=418736&CPID=10&clid=2&lid=&title=Ranieri+ready+for+Leeds+role Ranieri ready for Leeds role] SkySports.com (accessed 28th Sept 2006)</ref>.


==Rivalries==
==Rivalries==

Revision as of 22:53, 19 October 2006

Leeds United
Leeds United's Badge
Full nameLeeds United Association Football Club
Nickname(s)The Whites, United, The Peacocks
Founded1919
GroundElland Road
Leeds
Capacity40,296
ChairmanEngland Ken Bates
Caretaker ManagerEngland John Carver
LeagueThe Championship
2005-06Championship, 5th

Leeds United Association Football Club is the only professional association football club in the city of Leeds. The club was established in 1919, following the demise of Leeds City FC.

The club's nicknames are "Leeds", "United" or "The Whites". Some older fans still use the nickname "The Peacocks", but this nickname is virtually obsolete. They currently play in the Football League Championship and play their home games at the Elland Road stadium. The song of Leeds United is Marching On Together.

Leeds United have always had a loyal and passionate fanbase, with previous manager Kevin Blackwell famously saying that the club had over 250,000 ticket applications for the 2005/06 Championship Play Off Final, but the club struggles to fill Elland Road for all home matches, with attendances averaging around 20,000 in the 2005/06 season, down from 30,000 the previous season. When full, Elland Road is said to have one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European Football, composed of a large number of passionate fans. Leeds are 10th in the all time average attendance figures for the Football League & Premier League[1]

Although the club name bears the "AFC" suffix, the current badge displays "LUFC", however previous badges have included the official suffix.[2]

Leeds rose to prominence under the management of Don Revie during the 1960s and 1970s, when they won a host of major trophies and were one of the most feared sides in Europe. Leeds got their white home kit in the 1960s when Revie decided to make the team more impressive, adopting the colours of the Spanish giant Real Madrid so that they both played like and looked like the spanish team.

Revie's departure for the England job spelled the end of an era for Leeds and they went down to the Second Division in 1982, not regaining their top flight status until 1990, by which time they were being managed by Howard Wilkinson.

Leeds were league champions in 1992, but this title triumph is their most recent major trophy. In 2004, a financial crisis saw Leeds slip out of the Premiership and they are currently in their third successive season outside the top flight after being beaten 3-0 by Watford in the play-off final of the 2005-06 season.

History

Further information: Leeds United AFC History

Leeds United's predecessor club, Leeds City FC, was formed in 1904 by the committee and supporters. It was forcibly disbanded by The Football League in 1919 in response to allegations of financial irregularities regarding illegal payments to players during the First World War.

Shortly after the collapse of Leeds City, a new club, Leeds United, was formed and, shortly afterwards, began playing in the Midland League, taking the place vacated by Leeds City's reserve team.

, who now occupied Elland Road, offered to make way for the new team under the management of former player Dick Ray. In 1920, Leeds were acquired by

's then chairman, Hilton Crowther. Crowther also brought in a new manager, Arthur Fairclough, from Barnsley.

Leeds's first fixture after their election was ironically against Port Vale, the club who had taken up Leeds City's fixtures the previous season after their expulsion. Leeds lost the match 2-0, however Leeds first victory was the corresponding fixture at Elland Road only seven days later finishing Leeds United 3-1 Port Vale. Over the following few years, Leeds consolidated their position in the Second Division and in 1924 won the Second Division title with 54 points. However, they failed to establish themselves in the first division and were relegated in 1927. The following years up until the start of World War II Leeds were twice relegated and instantly re-promoted the following season. The first official season after World War II Leeds were relegated with the worst league record in their history. Leeds stayed in the Second Division for a further nine seasons until 1955-56, when Leeds once again won promotion to the First Division. [[John Charles] was great in the First Division and in the first season after promotion Charles scored 39 goals, which still remains a club recordDisaster struck however when the west stand at Elland Road was destroyed by fire at the end of the 1956-57 season. This forced the club to sell Charles to Juventus for £65,000 to help pay the re-construction costs. The sale was very detrimental to Leeds' performances on the pitch and they once again went into decline, eventually being relegated to the Second Division three seasons later in 1960.

In March 1961 the club's directors appointed former England centre forward, and current player, Don Revie as player-manager. It was under Revie that Leeds enjoyed their most successful period, and during which they became probably the leading English football club. Revie's stewardship started in some difficulty; the club was in some financial difficulty and in the 1961-62 season only a win in the final game of the season saved the club from relegation to Division 3.In 1964 this new team won promotion once more to Division 1. While recognised as one of the finest post-war British teams, Leeds also developed a reputation for underachievement. Under Revie Leeds won promotion to Division 1 in the 1963-64 season; two league championships, 1968-69 (losing only two games) and 1973-74, when the team went an incredible 34 games undefeated; the League Cup in 1968; the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971; the FA Cup in 1972; and FA Charity Shield in 1969. 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 Don's successor which to many was a big supprise. The team ,and its supporters, openly disliked Clough, and after only 44 days Clough was dismissed He was replaced by former England captain Jimmy Armfield, who took Revie's team to the final of the European Cup, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich. Armfield (with noted coach Don Howe) rebuilt Revie's team, and though it no longer dominated English football, it remained in the top six for subsequent seasons. However, the board was impatient for success and dismissed Armfield, replacing him with another managerial legend, Jock Stein. Unfortunately, Stein remained in the role for only a short period of time , leaving after 44 days to take up an invitation to manage the Scottish national team. The board turned to Jimmy Adamson, a long-time manager at Burnley. At this point the decline shifted a gear. In 1980 Adamson was in turn fired, and replaced by former Leeds and England star Allan Clarke. Clarke, despite spending freely on players, was unable to stem the tide and the club was relegated at the end of the 1981-82 season. Clarke was in his turn replaced by former team-mate Eddie Gray.

Gray's concentration on youth development turned round Leeds' precarious financial situation, without winning them promotion from the second division. Most Leeds supporters would give Gray the benefit of the doubt during this period as he had no money to spend on team building, and those players he developed were often sold off as well. However the board again became impatient and sacked him in 1985, replacing him with another former Revie star, former Leeds and Scotland captain Billy Bremner. Bremner carried on where Gray had left off, but found it just as difficult to achieve promotion, though he did bring the club close to success. Under Bremner, the club were defeated 2-1 in the 1987 play-off final, after extra time, against Charlton Athletic, and in the same year, were beaten 3-2, after extra-time, in the FA Cup semi-final losing to Coventry City.

In October 1988, with the team standing at 21st position in Division 2, Bremner was fired to make way for Howard Wilkinson. The following season Leeds finally won promotion back to the first division, after an absence of eight years. Wilkinson continued to rebuild the team and the club finished its first season back in the first division in fourth place. In 1992 Leeds won the final old First Division championship (1991-92). They also won the Charity Shield 4-3 against Liverpool in 1992. The following season was a poor one, with Leeds finishing 17th in the League (three places above relegation). Wilkinson's position with the board had become more precarious with the sale of the club in 1992 to a new consortium, and wasn't helped by a chronic, negative display in the 1996 League Cup final which saw star striker Tomas Brolin, left on the bench and Aston Villa win 3-0. Leeds only finished 13th in 1995-96, and early in the 1996-97 season, after a particularly painful Cantona-inspired 4-0 home defeat by Manchester United, Wilkinson had his contract terminated.

Leeds controversially appointed George Graham. At the start of the season, Graham brought in some bargain buys and introduced Australian youngster Harry Kewell from the youth team. At the end of the season Leeds booked its place in the UEFA Cup for the next season. The 1998-99 season saw Graham move to become manager of the north London club. Leeds opted for David O'Leary, George Graham's assistant manager. Under O'Leary the glory days seemed likely to return. On the pitch he let his team do the talking. He introduced promising youngsters like Jonathan Woodgate, and Alan Smith The fans and pundits saw a new vigorous and dynamic Leeds United side. Leeds youngsters played fast-paced, attacking football under the coaching of Eddie Gray. They secured 3rd place in the league that season sending the club into the UEFA Champions League for the first time. However, Leeds image was tarnished when players Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were involved in an incident in Leeds City Centre outside the Majestyk nightclub, which left an Asian student in hospital with severe injuries. It took nearly two years to resolve as the start-stop court case came to a close. Bowyer was cleared and Woodgate convicted of affray and sentenced to community service.

Leeds reached their first European semi-final in 25 years and were paired against Turkish champions Galatasaray, notorious for their fanatical support. Another dark moment in Leeds’ history was around the corner when two Leeds United fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were brutally stabbed to death before the game in Istanbul[3][4]. Leeds lost 2-0. The return leg in Leeds had the most charged, emotional yet poisonous atmosphere. The game saw Harry Kewell sent off and a 2-2 score was not enough for Leeds, as they went out of the competition. A minute's silence[5] is held every year at the match closest to the anniversary of the incident to remember Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

Following their appearance in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Valencia Leeds' fortunes started to change. Although the general public were unaware, the club under the leadership of Peter Ridsdale had taken out loans worth extremely large sums of money against future gates reciepts, and along with the team not performing as the loans required, Leeds slipped further and further into debt. The first signs to the fans was the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds' hated rivals Manchester United for a sum of approximately £30m. David O'Leary was then sacked and replaced by former England manager Terry Venables. Under Venables, the team didn't perform that well and many of Leeds' stars were sold 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. Reid finally saved Leeds with a 3-2 win away to Arsenal in the penultimate game of the season During this time the now hated Peter Ridsdale resigned from the Leeds board and was replaced by Professor John McKenzie. Unfortunately more star players left for financially questionable fees. An unsuccessful start to the 2003-04 season saw Peter Reid dismissed, and fans' hero and former manager, Eddie Gray, took over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Gray continued the trend of recent years in rebuilding with young players with finances severely limiting anything the club could do in the transfer maket. Leeds were now in a reported 121 million pounds of debt. This was also a serious concern for the players. The team continued to struggle on the field and were eventually relegated after 14 years in the top flight. Following confirmation of the club's relegation, Gray's reign as caretaker manager was terminated. Kevin Blackwell was appointed manager. Most of Leeds' remaining stars were sold or released on free transfers to simply ease the pressure on finances with even teenage starlet James Milner leaving the club.

The club finally managed to start a turn around however on 21 January 2005 when Leeds Chairman Gerald Krasner announced the sale of a 50% stake to Ken Bates for a reported £10m, with Bates became the club's new Chairman. Leeds stabalised signing players on free-transfers and low wages and ended the 2004-05 season midtable. With six new players brought in over the summer, the club's goal during the 2005-06 season was promotion. At the beginning of March, Kevin Blackwell signed an extension to his contract, which was to keep him at Leeds United for another three years. Leeds finished the season inside the play-off zone and made the playoff final, to be played against Watford. They lost 3-0 in this final. On 10 September 2006, Kevin Blackwell announced that within a year the club would be debt free. [6]. The 2006-07 season however started badly and on 20th September 2006 Kevin Blackwell's contract as manager of Leeds United was terminated. There were reports that Blackwell was dismissed for gross misconduct[7]. John Carver was appointed Caretaker manager untill a replacement could be installed.

Current Events

Current names being mentioned for the vacant manager's position include Dennis Wise, Joe Royle, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Claudio Ranieri and current caretaker manager John Carver, yet the favourite is Alan Curbishley[8]. Alan Curbishley has stated he wants to complete his 6 months out of football before he accepts a position, meaning if the club wanted him they must wait until the middle of October. Curbishley has previously turned down positions in the Premiership and abroad to keep to his 6 month sabbatical from football[9]. Alan has however stated that he is flattered by the interest from Leeds[10].The second favourite Claudio Ranieri has stated that he would love to manage Leeds United, and eventually take them back into European competitions[11].

Rivalries

According to a survey taken in 2004 Leeds are the club with the third most rivalries in the English League[12]. Without a doubt the rivalry that Leeds fans consider their greatest rivalry is that with Manchester United. This is not because of what some believe in that all clubs hate them. This is from a traditional Yorkshire-Lancashire rivalry that has been in place for centuries with Manchester and Leeds being the largest cities in the respective traditional counties. The rivalry also has roots in battles which took place between the two clubs on the pitch in the 1960s and 1970s. Leeds fans second biggest rivals are Chelsea This originates from more recent times than the one with Manchester United. Several on field fierce battles took place in the 1970s between the two teams, particularly the F.A. Cup Final between the two sides in 1970. More fierce battles took place after the final and the rivalry exists to this day. Local rivalries also exist with Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley all being traditional West Riding of Yorkshire rivalries. Fans of Hull City see Leeds as their biggest rival, yet this it is not reciprocated by the Leeds fans[12] being a completely one way rivalry. The two clubs have not been in the same divisions as one another long enough to propogate the rivalry, although they have often met in the past in pre-season friendlies.

Trivia

Current Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Scotland SCO Neil Sullivan
2 DF Ireland EIR Gary Kelly
3 DF Scotland SCO Stephen Crainey
4 MF Ireland EIR Jonathan Douglas
5 DF England ENG Alan Wright (on loan from Sheffield United) (Injured (calf injury))
6 DF Ireland EIR Paul Butler
7 MF England ENG Ian Westlake
8 DF England ENG Sean Gregan
9 FW Northern Ireland NIR David Healy
10 FW England ENG Geoff Horsfield (on loan from Sheffield United) (Injured (Hamstring Injury))
11 MF United States USA Eddie Lewis
12 MF England ENG Adam Johnson (on loan from Middlesbrough)
14 MF England ENG Steve Stone
15 DF England ENG Frazer Richardson (Injured (groin problem))
16 MF Iceland ISL Gylfi Einarsson (Injured (floating bone in hip))
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF France FRA Sebastian Carole
18 MF England ENG Kevin Nicholls (Injured (damaged medial knee ligaments))
20 DF Australia AUS Hayden Foxe
21 MF England ENG Shaun Derry
22 FW England ENG Ian Moore
24 DF Angola ANG Rui Manuel Marques
25 FW England ENG Richard Cresswell
26 DF England ENG Matthew Kilgallon
28 FW England ENG Robbie Blake
31 GK Trinidad and Tobago TRI Tony Warner (on loan from Fulham)
33 FW England ENG Jonathan Howson
42 MF England ENG Danny Rose
-- MF Ireland EIR Robert Bayly
-- DF England ENG Sam Hird
-- MF England ENG Gavin Rothery

Players out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
30 DF England ENG Ben Parker (on loan to Bradford City until Jan 2007)
32 FW England ENG Jermaine Beckford (on loan to Carlisle United until Nov 2006)

Template:Fs blank column

2006-07 Transfers

In

Out

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