A Short History of Leeds United - Part One

Leeds United visit Edgar Street later this week for the first meeting between the two clubs. Below is a short history of the visitors.

Leeds United was formed in 1919 and play their home games at Elland Road. Their nicknames are Leeds, The Whites and United. They also used to be called the Peacocks because of a pub close by.

Whilst they usually played in Division Two, they acheived promotion to Division One on several occasions only to drop back down. Then in the mid-fifties Leeds moved up again.

John Charles, who later joined Hereford United, had a trial with the Yorkshire club in September 1948 and subsequently was signed by them. He made his first appearance in April 1948. By the mid-fifties he had become one of football most wanted players and was sold to Juventus in 1957 for £65,000, a world record fee at the time. It wasn't long after he was sold that Leeds dropped back down to Division Two.

Don Revie was appointed manager in March 1961 but, partly because of financial restraints, the club was relegated to Division Two at the end of that season. But Revie was a shrewd manager and soon revived the clubs fortunes. He paid Juventus £53,000 to bring John Charles back to Elland Road for a short spell before selling him to Roma for £70,000.

In a 13 year reign, Revie took them back to Division One and won various cups and championships. Revie left in 1974 to manage the England side and was followed by Brian Clough, who lasted just 44 days. Jimmy Armfield then took charge. But the glory days were over for the time being. Leeds were relegated back to Division Two at the end of the 81/82 season. Several more high profile managers came and went but it wasn't until Howard Wilkingson took charge that Leeds returned to the top flight winning the title in 91/92.

Wilkingson lasted until late 1996. From that period to the present day Leeds have seldom been out of the news not always for the right reasons.

Part Two to follow

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