50 Facts About Leeds United

Formation and Early Years

Leeds United Football Club has a rich history that dates back over a century. Let's dive into the origins and early milestones of this iconic club.

1. Formation: Leeds United was formed on October 17, 1919, following the disbanding of Leeds City F.C. due to financial irregularities during World War I.
2. Early Years: The club began playing in the Midland League, taking the place vacated by Leeds City's reserve team. Yorkshire Amateurs, who occupied Elland Road, offered to make way for the new team.
3. First Home Kit: Leeds adopted the home colours of Huddersfield Town for their first home kit due to a connection with Huddersfield Town's chairman Hilton Crowther.
4. First League Election: Leeds United was elected to the Football League on May 31, 1920, polling 31 votes and entering the Second Division along with Cardiff City.

Iconic Managers and Players

Leeds United has been home to some of the most influential figures in football. Here are some key personalities who have shaped the club's legacy.

5. Notable Managers: The club has had several notable managers, including Don Revie and Marcelo Bielsa. Don Revie managed the club from 1961 to 1974 and is considered one of the greatest Leeds United managers.
6. Most Appearances: Jack Charlton holds the record for most appearances with 773 games for Leeds United.
7. Most Goals: Peter Lorimer holds the record for most goals with 238 goals in his two spells at the club.
8. Youngest Player: Peter Lorimer is also the youngest player to ever play for Leeds United, making his debut at 15 years and 289 days against Southampton in 1962.
9. Youngest Goalscorer: James Milner broke the record for youngest goalscorer in Premier League history on December 26, 2002, and held that record until April 10, 2005.

Memorable Matches and Records

Leeds United has had its fair share of unforgettable matches and record-breaking moments. Here are some highlights.

10. Largest Goal Deficit Comeback: Leeds holds the record for the largest goal deficit to come back and win from in the Premier League, coming back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 against Derby in 1997.
11. Most Goals in First Half: Leeds also hold the Premier League record for most goals scored in the first half of a game, scoring 4 goals against Blackburn in 1997.
12. Record Attendance: The record attendance at Elland Road is 57,892, achieved during an FA Cup match against Sunderland in 1967.
13. Record Transfer Fee Paid: The record transfer fee paid by Leeds for a player was around £30 million for Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter.
14. Highest Transfer Fee Received: The highest transfer fee received for a Leeds player was approximately £60 million from Barcelona for Raphinha, surpassing their previous highest transfer fee received when they sold Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United for a then-record transfer fee for a defender.

European Adventures

Leeds United has also made its mark on the European stage. Here are some notable achievements.

15. European History: The club has competed in European competitions, including the UEFA Cup and the European Cup. They reached the final of the European Cup in 1975 but were runners-up.
16. Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Wins: The club won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup twice, a significant achievement in European football during the 1960s and 1970s.
17. European Cup Runners-Up: Leeds United was a runner-up in the European Cup in 1975, a testament to their competitive prowess in European competitions.

Domestic Success

Leeds United has enjoyed considerable success in domestic competitions. Here are some of their key achievements.

18. League Titles: The club won the English league title twice, first in the 1968-69 season and again in the 1991-92 season.
19. FA Cup Win: Leeds United won the FA Cup once, which was during Don Revie's tenure in the 1971-72 season.
20. League Cup Win: The club won the League Cup once, which was also during Don Revie's management in the 1967-68 season.
21. Charity Shield Wins: Leeds United won the Charity Shield twice, first in 1969 and again in 1992.

Club Identity and Culture

The identity and culture of Leeds United are deeply rooted in its traditions and fanbase. Here are some aspects that define the club.

22. Traditional Colors: The team’s traditional colors are white shirts, shorts, and socks, often referred to as the “Leeds United white”.
23. Team Anthem: The Leeds United team anthem, “Marching on Together,” peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
24. Motto: The club has a famous motto: “Marching On Together,” which reflects the unity and resilience of the club and its supporters, emphasizing the spirit of collective effort and determination.
25. Copyrighted Kit: Leeds United was the first team to copyright a team kit, showcasing their commitment to branding and identity.

Youth Development and Future Stars

Leeds United has a strong focus on nurturing young talent. Here are some facts about their youth development system.

26. Youth Development System: Leeds United has a strong youth development system, with a renowned academy that has produced many talented players over the years.
27. Hall of Fame Inductees: Eleven Leeds players have been inducted into the English football Hall of Fame, including Gary Speed, Billy Bremner, and Jack Charlton.

Stadium and Fanbase

Elland Road and the passionate Leeds United fanbase are integral to the club's identity. Here are some interesting facts.

28. Elland Road: Throughout its history, Leeds United has hosted memorable European matches at Elland Road, creating unforgettable moments for both the players and the fans.
29. Record Home Attendance: The record home attendance at Elland Road is 57,892, set during an FA Cup match against Sunderland in 1967.
30. Highest League Attendance: The highest league attendance at Elland Road is 52,368, achieved against Manchester United on April 17, 1965.
31. Elland Road’s Record Gate Receipt: Although not for a Leeds match, the record gate receipt at Elland Road is £1,006,000, which was for the 1995 FA Cup semi-final between Tottenham and Everton.

Historical Moments

Leeds United has experienced many significant moments throughout its history. Here are some key events.

32. Don Revie’s Superstition: Don Revie was superstitious about birds, which led to the removal of the owl badge from the club's crest.
33. Peacock Nickname: The club was previously nicknamed the Peacocks, derived from a pub near the stadium, but not the New Peacock pub opposite Elland Road.
34. City Crest Badge: The club originally used the City of Leeds coat of arms as their badge, which included a fleece supported by silver owls on a blue field.
35. Royal Charter: The Borough of Leeds was incorporated by a Royal Charter of Charles I in 1626, with Sir John Savile as the first council member.
36. First Mayor: The first mayor of Leeds was Thomas Danby, whose arms included three mullets argent (silver five-pointed stars).
37. Reconstituted Arms: The Leeds Corporation was reconstituted under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, and the Borough Seal was settled in 1836 with the full complement of a blue shield, owl supporters, the crest, and the motto “Pro rege et lege” (For king and law).

Kit and Crest Evolution

The evolution of Leeds United's kit and crest reflects the club's history and identity. Here are some notable changes.

38. 1934-35 Season: During the 1934-35 season, Leeds adopted a half yellow-half blue strip in tribute to the defunct Leeds City, which stayed in place until 1948.
39. 1935-36 Season: In the 1935-36 season, Leeds achieved a respectable 11th place in the table.
40. 1936-37 Season: However, the 1936-37 season saw another slump as Leeds finished 19th.
41. 1937-38 Season: The 1937-38 season saw an improvement, with Leeds up amongst the title challengers early in the season but eventually finishing 9th.
42. 1946-47 Season: In the 1946-47 season after World War II, Leeds United won just 18 points – the equal lowest First Division total until Stoke City's performance in 1984-85. They also recorded what remains to this day the worst away record in top-flight history, gaining just a single point from 21 away matches.

Modern Era and Recent Achievements

Leeds United continues to make strides in modern football. Here are some recent achievements and milestones.

43. Howard Wilkinson Era: Under manager Howard Wilkinson, Leeds United won another league title in the 1991-92 season and the Charity Shield in 1992.
44. Lowest League Finish: The club's lowest ever league finish was fifth in League One in the 2007-08 season, after losing to Doncaster Rovers in the play-off final.
45. Longest Unbeaten Run: Leeds United's longest ever unbeaten run in the league was between October 19, 1968, and August 30, 1969, lasting 34 games.
46. Longest Consecutive Victories: The club achieved their longest run of consecutive victories in the league with nine wins between September 26, 1931, and November 21, 1931 (in the Second Division) and again between January 1 and February 23, 2024 (in the Championship).

Rivalries and Fan Culture

Rivalries and fan culture are integral to the Leeds United experience. Here are some key aspects.

47. Rivalries: Leeds United has notable rivalries with other Yorkshire clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City, adding to the excitement of Yorkshire football.
48. Fanbase: The passionate Leeds United fanbase is known for their unwavering support and loyalty, creating an electric atmosphere at Elland Road.

Miscellaneous Facts

Here are some additional interesting facts about Leeds United that didn't fit into the other categories.

49. Peacock Nickname: The club was previously nicknamed the Peacocks, derived from a pub near the stadium, but not the New Peacock pub opposite Elland Road.
50. City Crest Badge: The club originally used the City of Leeds coat of arms as their badge, which included a fleece supported by silver owls on a blue field.

Leeds United's Legacy

Leeds United's history is rich with memorable moments and achievements. From their formation in 1919 to their iconic victories under Don Revie, the club has left an indelible mark on English football. The team's traditional white kit, fierce rivalries, and passionate fanbase all contribute to its unique identity. Notable players like Jack Charlton and Peter Lorimer have set records that still stand today. Leeds' resilience is evident in their comebacks and record-breaking performances. Their motto, "Marching On Together," perfectly encapsulates the spirit of unity and determination that defines the club. Whether it's their European adventures or domestic triumphs, Leeds United continues to be a significant force in football. The club's legacy is not just about past glories but also about the enduring passion and loyalty of its supporters. Leeds United truly embodies the essence of football.