Leeds United: The last pre-Premier champions

LEEDS UNITED’s triumph in 1992 was a surprise to many people who felt the club was unlikely to regain the glory years of the Don Revie era. But few could deny them their title in 1991-92 after they stubbornly saw off the challenge of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side.

Leeds had returned to the top flight in 1990 under Howard Wilkinson and enjoyed their first season back, finishing in a highly credible fourth place. In normal circumstances, such a performance would have been rewarded with a place in European competition, but with English clubs banned since 1985, only one place was granted to England in the UEFA Cup for 1991-92.

Wilkinson was a highly respected and disciplined coach and his arrival at Leeds in October 1988 came after a successful spell with Sheffield Wednesday. In his first full season at Elland Road he led the club to promotion. After finishing fourth in 1990-91, he set-out to strengthen the Leeds team and in preparation for 1991-92, signed full back Tony Dorigo from Chelsea, Rod Wallace, a speedy forward, from Southampton and Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge.

Leeds started the season well and were unbeaten in their first 10 games, losing 1-0 at Crystal Palace. From that game, on October 1, they went on an unbeaten run that lasted 16 games before losing at Oldham Athletic in February. Leeds and Manchester United were the only serious challengers for the title and swapped places on a regular basis at the top. Leeds were top on New Years’ Day after Manchester United were surprisingly beaten at home by Queens Park Rangers while Leeds beat West Ham. Leeds were one point better off than their rivals, but Manchester United had two games in hand.

Alex Ferguson’s team always seemed to have games to spare and suffered to a certain extent from fixture congestion. While Leeds continued to win points, Manchester United’s spare games appeared to give them the upper hand.

Leeds and Manchester United also met in the Football League Cup and FA Cup and each time, Wilkinson’s team were overcome. Lee Chapman, Leeds’ tall centre forward broke his wrist in the FA Cup tie and Wilkinson acted quickly to bring in reinforcements. The trump card was the signing of French forward Eric Cantona, a player with a troubled past who had no shortage of skill or charisma.

Cantona’s arrival was as much a psychological boost for the team as well as adding an extra dimension to the Leeds attack, but at first, he found the going tough. He started only six games and was used as a substitute nine times. He scored just three goals. Leeds’ real strength was their midfield, arguably the most effective in the league, which comprised experienced hands in Gary McAllister and Gordon Strachan as well as younger talent like David Batty, Steve Hodge and Gary Speed.

At the end of March, Manchester United were definitely in the driving seat, with a one point and one game advantage over Leeds, who received a major blow to their hopes when they were trounced 4-0 at Manchester City on April 4. With Manchester United on League Cup final duty on April 12, Leeds leapfrogged them with a 3-0 victory against Chelsea, a game that saw Cantona score an outstanding individual goal. United returned to pole position by beating Southampton, but then hit a very poor patch, drawing at Luton and losing at home to Nottingham Forest. Leeds, after beating Coventry on the day Forest won at Old Trafford, suddenly had one point lead, although Manchester United had the chance to regain top spot at West Ham two days later. They were beaten 1-0 which meant both teams had played 40 games but Leeds were on 76 points, Manchester United on 75.

The penultimate weekend of the season saw Leeds win 3-2 at Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United while Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield. Leeds, who won by virtue of an own goal 13 minutes from the end, had a four-point lead with one game remaining and had done enough to become champions.

There was still one game to go, won by 1-0 against Norwich, but Leeds had completed their job a week earlier. Their rivals, Manchester United had simply run out of steam, but their time would come very soon. As for Leeds, they failed to defend their title in 1992-93 and finished a very poor 17^th in the first Premier League season.

Leeds United’s team in 1991-92 normally comprised: John Lukic, Tony Dorigo, Chris Fairclough, John McClelland, Chris Whyte, Mel Sterland, David Batty, Steve Hodge, Gary McAllister, Gary Speed, Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman, Rod Wallace, Eric Cantona.

John Lukic (31), tall goalkeeper, born of Yugoslav parentage, in his second spell with Leeds United. Also won the league title with Arsenal in 1989, but joined Leeds a year later.

Tony Dorigo (26), fast full back born in Australia, but capped 15 times by England. Joined Leeds for £ 1.3 million from Chelsea in the summer of 1991. Played for Aston Villa before Chelsea and later had spells with Torino and Derby County.

Chris Fairclough (28), solid and reliable central defender who arrived at Elland Road from Tottenham in 1989 after also playing for Nottingham Forest. England under-21 international.

John McClelland (36), veteran Northern Ireland defender signed from Watford in 1991 but moved to Scottish football in 1992.

Chris Whyte (30), towering centre half who read the game very well. Started his career with Arsenal and also appeared for West Bromwich before signing for Leeds in 1990 for £ 450,000. Much travelled later in his career, including stints with a number of US clubs.

Mel Sterland (30), dynamic full back who should have won more than a single England cap. An excellent dead-ball kicker, he was also energetic and tenacious. Joined Leeds from Glasgow Rangers in 1989, linking-up with his manager at Sheffield Wednesday, Howard Wilkinson.

David Batty (23), combative midfielder who won 42 caps for England. A product of Leeds’ youth system, Batty was also excellent at distributing the ball, an often overlooked part of his game. Joined Blackburn in 1993 for £ 2.5 million.

Steve Hodge (29), compact midfield player who had a good eye for goal. Signed from Nottingham Forest, costing Leeds £ 900,000 and also played for Aston Villa and Tottenham before joining the club. Won 24 caps for England, playing in the 1986 World Cup.

Gary McAllister (27), skilful and cultured midfielder who joined Leeds in 1990 from Leicester City for a fee of £ 1 million. A natural leader on the pitch, he was a pivotal figure in Leeds’ title win. Won 57 caps for Scotland in an international career that last almost a decade. Was named in the PFA team of the year for 1991-92. Later played for Coventry and Liverpool.

Gary Speed (22), versatile midfielder who started with Leeds’ youth system and went on to play for Everton and Newcastle United, among others. After his playing career finished, which saw him capped 85 times by Wales he went into management and was manager of his country when he died tragically young.

Gordon Strachan (34), enjoyed a late career “Indian Summer” when joining Leeds in 1989 from Manchester United. A huge character and influence, Strachan was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 1991. Won 50 caps for Scotland, playing in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

Lee Chapman (32), tall centre forward who finished top scorer for Leeds in 1991-92. Joined the club in January 1990 from Nottingham Forest, costing £ 400,000.

Rod Wallace (22), striker or winger who arrived from Southampton along with his brother Ray. A fleet-footed character with an eye for goal, he spent seven years with Leeds before joining Rangers.

Eric Cantona (24), French forward whose contribution to Leeds’ title win has passed into folklore even though he started just six games and scored three goals. Cantona arrived from Nimes in February 1992 and by November of that same year, had been sold to Manchester United for £ 1.2 million where he had a highly successful and often controversial career.

Appearances and Goalscorers

Agana, T 1+1; Batty, D 40; Cantona, E 6+9; Chapman, L 38; Davidson, B 0+2; Dorigo, T 38; Fairclough, 30+1; Hodge, S 12+11; Kamara, C 0+2; Kelly, D 0+2; Lukic, J 42; McAllister, G 41+1; McClelland, J 16+2; Newsome, J 7+3; Shutt, C 6+8; Speed, G 41; Sterland, M 29+2; Strachan, G 35+1; Varadi, I 2+1; Wallace, Rod 34; Wetherall, D 0+1; Whitlow, M 7+3; Whyte, C 41.

Goals: Chapman 16, Rod Wallace 11, Hodge 7, Speed 7, Sterland 6, McAllister 5, Strachan 4, Dorigo 3, Cantona 3, Newsome 2, Fairclough 2, Barry 2, Whyte 1, Shutt 1, Whitlow 1, Own Goals 3. Total: 74

Football League Results

	H	A
Arsenal	D2-2	D1-1
Aston Villa	D0-0	W4-1
Chelsea	W3-0	W1-0
Coventry City	W2-0	D0-0
Crystal Palace	D1-1	L0-1
Everton	W1-0	D1-1
Liverpool	W1-0	D0-0
Luton Town	W2-0	W2-0
Manchester City	W3-0	L0-4
Manchester Utd	D1-1	D1-1
Norwich City	W1-0	D2-2
Nottingham F	W1-0	D0-0
Notts County	W3-0	W4-2
Oldham Athletic	W1-0	L0-2
QPR	W2-0	L1-4
Sheffield United	W4-3	W3-2
Sheffield Weds	D1-1	W6-1
Southampton	D3-3	W4-0
Tottenham	D1-1	W3-1
West Ham	D0-0	W3-1
Wimbledon	W5-1	D0-0

		P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	g.d.
1	Leeds United	42	22	16	4	74	37	82	+37
2	Manchester Utd	42	21	15	6	63	33	78	+30
3	Sheffield Wednesday	42	21	12	9	62	49	75	+13

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Leeds United and second season syndrome – too early to judge

LEEDS United were soundly beaten by Liverpool at Elland Road in their fourth Premier League game of the season. After four games, they have yet to click into gear and Premier watchers are wondering if Marcelo Bielsa’s team are suffering from second season syndrome, much as Sheffield United did in 2020-21.

Leeds haven’t had the easiest of starts to the campaign, Manchester United away, Liverpool at home and tricky games with Everton and Burnley. Leeds, typically, have enjoyed an average of 57% of possession across their four games, versus 43% for the opposition. They’ve averaged 12 shots per game, but only 27% of these have been on target, hence they are averaging a goal a game. By contrast, their opponents have had an average of almost 19 per game, with 37% on target, which translates into goals conceded 2.75 per game.

Last season they had to face Liverpool and Manchester City in their first four games, losing 4-3 and drawing 1-1 respectively. Leeds have scored half as many goals as they did in the first four in 2020-21 and have conceded three more goals.

Leeds finished 2020-21 well with one defeat in 10, fuelling optimism for the current season. Only six clubs had a worse goal against record than Leeds (54 conceded) but they scored more goals than fourth-placed Chelsea (62 versus 58). They spent around £ 50 million to strengthen their squad in the close season, but the club’s director of football has said the second season is harder for promoted clubs.

Certainly it is difficult to see Leeds closing the gap on the teams that ended 2020-21 above them. Already there are signs that they may have to settle for consolidation, year two. Bielsa’s style is praised by fans and pundits alike, and the Elland Road faithful passionately defend the man on the bucket from every criticism. The question is can Bielsa make Leeds successful or will they be satisfied with the sort of status that Ron Greenwood’s West Ham had in the 1960s and early 1970s – great to watch but infuriatingly inconsistent?

Second season syndrome is something that afflicts team that have over-performed in their first year after promotion. Sheffield United were blighted by it in 2020-21 and in the past, Reading (promoted 2005-06), Ipswich Town (1999-00) and Middlesbrough (1994-95) all made a splash and sunk in year two.

Way back in football history, some promoted teams have had a roller-coaster ride after winning their place in the top flight. For Example, in 1960-61, Ipswich won the second division and a year later, the league championship. A year later they finished 17^th and in 1963-64, they went down again.

Success after promotion can be attributed to a number of factors. Money, of course, comes into it, but the element of the unexpected, lots of adrenalin and enthusiasm, innovative tactics and talented management are every bit as important. Take Nottingham Forest in 1977-78, who were managed by the legendary Brian Clough. Forest took the third promotion place in 1977 and then won the league with a team of unlikely heroes. That Ipswich team, managed by Alf Ramsey in his pre-England days, also applied different methods to take the first division by surprise.

Often, it works for just a limited period, hence a team that has something different can steal a march for a year, but then gets “found out” and struggles to maintain momentum. Crystal Palace, in 1979-80, started impressively and topped the table in the early weeks of the season. Likewise, Sheffield United in 1971 were leading the way for much of the autumn before burning-out and finishing 10^th.

The average first-year position of the clubs promoted to the Premier over the past five years has been 15^th. Leeds managed ninth in 2020-21, a position bettered only by Wolves in 2018-19. Prior to that, Birmingham reached ninth in 2009-10.

People point to Leeds United’s wayward defence and Bielsa’s somewhat cavalier approach to his back line as reasons why Leeds will not move beyond their current status. There will come a time when the club’s management will demand tangible success, in other words, a trophy. At present, Leeds are happy to be back and the Premier is equally pleased to have them back – they are a sizeable club, after all. But if the next step is moving from highly-praised also-rans to contenders, then they have to be set-up differently to avoid regular emphatic defeats.

It is early days, and the fixtures haven’t been the kindest to Leeds, but at some point, they will have to demonstrate they are building on what’s been achieved in the past few years.

@GameofthePeople

Photo: ALAMY