Matches – 12 August 1972 – Chelsea 4 Leeds United 0

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Matches – 12 August 1972 – Chelsea 4 Leeds United 0 Matches – 12 August 1972 – Chelsea 4 Leeds United 0 First Division – Stamford Bridge – 51,102 Scorers: None Chelsea: Bonetti, Harris McCreadie, Hollins, Dempsey, Webb, Garland, Kember, Osgood, Hudson, Cooke Leeds United: Harvey, Reaney, Cherry, Bremner, Ellam, Madeley, Lorimer, Bates, Jones (Yorath), Giles, E Gray United‟s opening game of the 1972/73 season, at Stamford Bridge against old rivals Chelsea, left an unfamiliar set of players enduring the most miserable of afternoons. Although 24-year-old David Harvey had proved a few months earlier that he was one of the most outstanding young keepers in the game as he helped United win the FA Cup for the first time, Leeds fans were still coming to terms with Harvey‟s promotion over long time first choice, Gary The scene at Stamford Bridge for the opening day of the 1972/73 season with the old East Stand gone Sprake. That same afternoon Sprake was playing for United reserves against West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road; joining him was former England centre-half, Jack Charlton, now 37, and nearing the end of a 20-year career with Leeds. Terry Cooper, one of the world‟s best left-backs, also missed the Chelsea trip, nursing the fractured leg he sustained against Stoke City four months earlier. Completing the list of absentees were Norman Hunter and Allan Clarke, both unavailable through suspension. During the close season, Whites manager Don Revie had recruited defensive reinforcements, www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Matches – 12 August 1972, Chelsea 4 Leeds United 0 1 signing the two Huddersfield Town centre-backs, Trevor Cherry and Roy Ellam, and both men made their United debuts at Stamford Bridge. Though Cherry wore Cooper‟s No 3 shirt, he partnered Ellam at the heart of the back four, with Paul Madeley playing left-back. Of the customary rearguard, right-back Paul Reaney was the only member on show. Mick Bates lined up alongside Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles in a midfield three with Peter Lorimer and Eddie Gray supporting spearhead Mick Jones. Terry Yorath was named substitute. If United‟s team had an unfamiliar ring to it, the West London surroundings were every bit as alien. Brian Woolnough in the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The massive redevelopment project at Stamford Bridge means that Leeds United players will change in portable changing rooms and receive treatment in a caravan when they open their League programme against Chelsea on Saturday. The whole of the East Stand has been knocked down, leaving the popular side of Chelsea‟s ground a mass of rubble and bricks. “Chelsea have spent £30,000 on portable accommodation for the players, who will also have to walk 75 yards through the crowd to get on to the pitch. “Directors, the Press and season ticket holders have been switched to the North Stand, the stand closed last season because of shuddering reports… „We have told the season ticket holders who will use that stand that they will be refused admission if they are not in their seats 15 minutes before the start,‟ said Chelsea secretary Tony Green today. „We just couldn‟t have them walking along the pitch when the game was about to start or even in progress.‟ “Stamford Bridge still looks a complete shambles and The United players come out from the temporary dressing rooms to face Chelsea Green admitted: „There is a lot of work to be done before Saturday. Another headache is getting the public used to the new site and entrances.‟ “Chelsea are expecting a 50,000 crowd for the visit of United. It will be a severe test of their temporary arrangements but a good guide for the rest of the season. “This is the first stage of Chelsea‟s £5,500,000 new look plan. The new East Stand – a two-tier cantilever stand costing £1m – will not be in operation until the beginning of next season. So all clubs face changing in portable accommodation this season.” There were more than 50,000 people packed into the Bridge for the game, and many of the younger supporters spilled out onto the old greyhound track after a barrier buckled in the Shed End. This doubtlessly averted potential problems on the terracing later in the day. Chelsea were pilloried by the Press for the chaos before and during the game. The club subsequently cut the standing capacity of Stamford Bridge by 7,000 and during the reconstruction period the crowd limit was set at 44,000. The club‟s plans for the transformation of Stamford Bridge were almost fatally ambitious, comprising the development of a 60,000 all seater circular stadium. The project was described as the “most ambitious ever undertaken in Britain” and the timing could hardly have been worse. The project coincided with a global economic crisis and was hit by delays, a builders‟ strike and www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Matches – 12 August 1972, Chelsea 4 Leeds United 0 2 shortage of materials, all of which sent the costs spiralling viciously, to the extent that the club were £3.4m in debt by 1976. Between August 1974 and June 1978, Chelsea were unable to fund any transfers and had to sell their own star players to support the huge financial drain. In August 1972, though, Don Revie was understandably cautious about the threat posed by Chelsea, considered by many as potential champions. The United boss warned, “They have a first class squad of players and the experience to do well. We know we start with a difficult match.” The Blues had added two forwards, Chris Garland and Steve Kember, since they beat United in the 1970 FA Cup final, but the rest of their starting eleven had been regulars for the preceding two or three seasons and were very much a force to be reckoned with in their own stadium. After a fine sunny morning in West London, the match began in steadily falling rain. United kicked off wearing yellow socks rather than their customary white. Chelsea were the first to show any attacking intent, with Kember feeding Charlie Cooke out on their left, but Reaney alertly intervened to halt the move in its tracks and United were soon pressing forward. They had a free kick in the Chelsea half after four minutes which Lorimer swung high towards Peter Bonetti‟s goal, but the keeper came out to gather confidently. Chelsea continued to enjoy the best of the play, with Alan Hudson exerting some early influence. The midfielder fired over one cross from the right, only for Cooke to chip wide, and then worked his way cleverly to the edge of the United area before hammering in a shot which Harvey had to punch away. The Leeds keeper had to save smartly thereafter from two corners and was clearly winded following the second of these incidents. However, he resumed following treatment from Les Cocker and seemed able to cope with whatever handicap he was suffering, plucking a high cross out of the air as Peter Osgood went up with Reaney to challenge. Chelsea physio Norman Medhurst and Les Cocker In the 25th minute the game turned fatefully against help David Harvey from the field during the United. Mick Jones injured an ankle in a tackle and, as opening game of 1972/73 against Chelsea. Peter Lorimer went in goal and Leeds lost 4-0 reported by Albert Barham in the Guardian, “Yorath, the substitute, flexed his muscles but was waved back by Bremner, for, at the moment Yorath was about to come on to the pitch for Jones, Harvey, the goalkeeper, was being carried off for attention behind the goal. He had earlier in the game been heavily buffeted at a couple of corners when he appeared to collide with Ellam. Eventually he was wheeled away on a stretcher to spend the night in Fulham Hospital with concussion. “In fact, the attempt to get Jones to walk proved that he could not continue either, so it made no odds which of them Yorath was substitute for. Lorimer wore Harvey‟s jersey and at one stroke Leeds had lost a goalkeeper and two aggressive forwards. Small wonder they are the most www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Matches – 12 August 1972, Chelsea 4 Leeds United 0 3 superstitious team in the country; ill luck seems to hover over them.” In such adverse circumstances, Yorath was forced to take up the cudgels in the unaccustomed role of lone striker, a position for which he was ill suited. There was no chance of Lorimer being shielded from the thrust and slash of the Chelsea forward line and he was soon under the severest of examinations. He showed a remarkable aptitude for life between the posts, diving to save at Cooke‟s feet, punching away a cross from John Hollins and once again denying Cooke. Chelsea continued to pile the pressure on, provoking some moments of tetchy ill temper. Kember clashed fiercely with Bremner, prompting stern words for both men from Swansea referee Tommy Reynolds, though only the Chelsea man had his name taken; then Giles received a lecture for a stiff challenge on Hollins. That was enough for the referee who called the two captains together in order to lay down the law, stressing the importance of cool heads. Just when it seemed that United would make it to the interval without conceding, Chelsea opened the scoring. As the match ticked into time added on, Garland was given the freedom of United‟s penalty area and took the opportunity to make his way across the face of goal before attempting the shot. His effort was bravely blocked at point blank range by Lorimer but Peter Osgood was on hand to slip home the rebound.
Recommended publications
  • Trevor Cherry
    Wednesday 13 May 2020 GUERNSEY PRESS OBITUARY 23 OBITUARY Trevor Cherry by Advocate Footballer Trevor Raymond Ashton Cherry, pictured in 1981. (28247216) T IS WITH regret that I have learnt of the sad demise of my friend Trevor Cherry as a result of a massive heart attack. This makes it two former footballers who have died within a Ishort period of time. Trevor was in the same school year as myself and over the years we had become friends and only about six weeks ago my other half was with the denizens of the chairman’s suite at City in Madrid, of which Trevor was part, as a result of his friendship and business association with Mike Marshall (himself a former player). Trevor had been a regular visitor over the years to City and always had time to talk about his former colleagues at Elland Road. Indeed, I had hoped many years ago during the second coming of Malcolm Allison to persuade him to join City to give the defence more stability. Before going into detail I must say that he was a very self-effacing and modest man, unlike most footballers. There will be many tributes to Trevor but when Bradford City went into administration in the early 1980s Stafford Higginbottom, later chairman, said to me that unlike many managers he had a brain (and not just in his feet) and was very sensiblel. Prophetic words, it proved. Trevor was born in Huddersfield and was always very proud of the town (and had heard of the world-famous Choral Society) and eventually forced his way into the first team.
    [Show full text]
  • Set Checklist I Have the Complete Set 1972/73 Arbeshi Reproductions George Keeling Caricatures
    Nigel's Webspace - English Football Cards 1965/66 to 1979/80 Set checklist I have the complete set 1972/73 Arbeshi Reproductions George Keeling caricatures Peter Allen Orient Brian Hall Liverpool Terry Anderson Norwich City Paul Harris Orient Robert Arber Orient Ron Harris Chelsea George Armstrong Arsenal David Harvey Leeds United Alan Ball Arsenal Steve Heighway Liverpool Gordon Banks - All Stars Stoke City Ricky Heppolette Orient Geoff Barnett Arsenal Phil Hoadley Orient Phil Beal Tottenham Hotspur Pat Holland West Ham United Colin Bell - All Stars Manchester City John Hollins Chelsea Peter Bennett Orient Peter Houseman Chelsea Clyde Best West Ham United Alan Hudson Chelsea George Best - All Stars Manchester United Emlyn Hughes - All Stars Liverpool Jeff Blockley - All Stars Arsenal Emlyn Hughes Liverpool Billy Bonds West Ham United Norman Hunter Leeds United Jim Bone Norwich City Pat Jennings Tottenham Hotspur Peter Bonetti Chelsea Mick Jones Leeds United Ian Bowyer Orient Kevin Keegan Liverpool Billy Bremner Leeds United Kevin Keegan - All Stars Liverpool Max Briggs Norwich City Kevin Keelan Norwich City Terry Brisley Orient Howard Kendall - All Stars Everton Trevor Brooking West Ham United Ray Kennedy Arsenal Geoff Butler Norwich City Joe Kinnear Tottenham Hotspur Ian Callaghan Liverpool Cyril Knowles Tottenham Hotspur Clive Charles West Ham United Frank Lampard West Ham United Jack Charlton Leeds United Chris Lawler Liverpool Martin Chivers Tottenham Hotspur Alec Lindsay Liverpool Allan Clarke Leeds United Doug Livermore Norwich
    [Show full text]
  • Players – Terry Hibbitt – a Wayward Genius
    Players – Terry Hibbitt – A wayward genius Terry Hibbitt‘s impressive entrance into senior football hinted that he could be one of the most glorious talents to emerge from Leeds United‘s golden generation of the Sixties. He was given his first team debut as an 18-year-old against Nottingham Forest on 19 February 1966, coming on as a first half substitute for Paul Madeley. Within minutes of taking the field Hibbitt scored a stunning goal, lobbing goalkeeper Peter Grummitt from 20 yards. For the next three years the talented left winger continued to show rich potential whenever given an opportunity by Don Revie, but he disappeared into the cul-de-sac of reserve team football after the talented Eddie Gray established himself as Revie‘s preferred choice on the left flank. A £30,000 transfer to Newcastle United in 1971 gave Hibbitt the chance of reviving his career, and he used the platform to give clear evidence of his prowess in a playmaking role. Hibbitt‘s younger brother Ken, born on 3 January 1951 and an England Under-23 cap, also enjoyed a long and successful professional career, mainly at Wolves (1968-84), with spells at Bradford Park Avenue, Seattle Sounders, Coventry City and Bristol Rovers. Frail of build and bandy of leg, Terry Hibbitt did not have a classic athlete‘s build, but he was an outstanding midfielder, playing cultured and intelligent football. He possessed a great range of passing skills and an instinctive feel for the through ball which benefited Malcolm Macdonald among others. Toon midfield colleague Terry McDermott: ―Hibby had a left foot that was like a magic wand.
    [Show full text]
  • Football's Lost Decade
    FOOTBALL’S Contrary to what Sky might have you believe, football existed before 1992. In fact the 1980s saw cultural and political change that shaped the modern game. But while LOST football wasn’t cool, some of us still loved it. Jon Howe looks back with nostalgia DECADE at the decade that football forgot... A game you might have forgotten November 8, 1980 n Leeds United 0 Arsenal 5 While Leeds fans of the modern era have fresh memories of humiliating home defeats dished out by the football colossi of Blackpool, Watford, Nottingham Forest and Preston, such a public dishonouring on our own doorstep rarely occurred during the 1960s and ’70s, even as Revie’s great side began to break up and the club descended into that murky tunnel called “transition”. That all changed, of course, when the clock ticked over into the 1980s. The visit of Arsenal found Leeds slowly finding their feet after that legendary sniffer of all things loose in the penalty area, Allan Clarke, had taken over as manager. Leeds were struggling to find the net and Clarke shored up his defence before worrying Leeds manager Allan Clarke with his assistant Martin Wilkinson. about being too expansive Eddie at the other end. It was a his most productive season in an Arsenal shirt with 16 league Gray somewhat uncharacteristic appearances – picked at Leeds’ failings and executed a stance for one of the club’s stunning 5-0 win that left Elland Road dumbstruck. greatest goalscorers, but one Leeds were 2-0 down by half-time with young goalkeeper that few argued with.
    [Show full text]
  • Series Checklist I Have the Complete Set 1971/72 A&BC Chewing Gum (English) Footballer, Purple Backs
    Nigel's Webspace - English Football Cards 1965/66 to 1979/80 Series checklist I have the complete set 1971/72 A&BC chewing gum (English) Footballer, Purple backs 001 Frank Clark Newcastle United 046 Alan Birchenall Crystal Palace 002 Alan Ball Everton 047 Steve Heighway Liverpool 003 Jeff Astle West Bromwich Albion 048 Pat Rice Arsenal 004 Gareth (Gary) Sprake Leeds United 049 Derek Dougan Wolverhampton Wanderers 005 Peter Bonetti Chelsea 050 Mick Mills Ipswich Town 006 Frank McLintock Arsenal 051 John Hollins Chelsea 007 John Toshack Liverpool 052 Paul Edwards Manchester United 008 Jimmy Robertson Ipswich Town 053 Colin Harvey Everton 009 Bobby Charlton Manchester United 054 Eric Martin Southampton 010 Colin Todd Derby County 055 Archie Gemmill Derby County 011 Bobby Moncur Newcastle United 056 Frank Worthington Huddersfield Town 012 Colin Bell Manchester City 057 Checklist, Series 1, cards 1- 109 013 Tom Jenkins Southampton 058 Joe Kinnear Tottenham Hotspur 014 Phil Parkes Wolverhampton Wanderers 059 Tony Book Manchester City 015 Gordon Banks Stoke City 060 Brian Harris Cardiff City 016 David Payne Crystal Palace 061 Brian Joicey Coventry City 017 Dennis Clarke Huddersfield Town 062 Robert (Sammy) Chapman Nottingham Forest 018 Bobby Moore West Ham United 063 Tommy Taylor West Ham United 019 Mel Sutton Cardiff City 064 Denis Smith Stoke City 020 Martin Chivers Tottenham Hotspur 065 Peter Houseman Chelsea 021 Geoff Strong Coventry City 066 Tony Brown West Bromwich Albion 022 Ian Storey-Moore Nottingham Forest 067 Brian O'Neil Southampton
    [Show full text]
  • Sample Download
    CONTENTS Introduction: The Day of the Damned . 7 Part One: Get It On 1 . Rage Against the Machine . 19 The Style Council . 28 . When Worlds Collide . .39 . 2 . Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? . 46 Dandies in the Underworld . 59 Read All About It . 72 3 . The Empire Strikes Back . 84 The Best Years of Our Lives . 97 . 4 . Middle-Class Heroes . 107 Power to the People . 132 Twentieth-Century Boy . .139 . 5 . Sweet Talkin’ Guys . 145. Fight to the Finish . 161 . What’s Up, Doc? . 169. 6 . Games Without Frontiers . 175. There’s a New Sensation; a Fabulous Creation . 184. Beg, Steal or Borrow . 191. 7 . The Year of Living Dangerously . 206 . The End of the World . 215. Deeper and Down . 228. 8 . Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting . .232 . The Moral Panic . 247. Part Two: Something Better Change 9 . Take Me to Your Leader . 263. Pressure Points . 270 . Last of the Summer Wine . 286. 10 . We Can Be Heroes . 297 Part-Time Love . 314. First Among Equals . 320 . 11 . England’s Dreaming . 331 Dancing with the Captain . 340. When Two Sevens Clash . 350 . 12 . Young, Gifted And Black . 359. Degrees of Difficulty . 372 13 . The Liverpool Way . 383 . Do Anything you Wanna Do . 395 . Fanfare for the Common Man . 408. 14 . The Outsiders . 414. This is the Modern World . 426 . Working for the Yankee Dollar . 437 15 . Could It Be Magic . 446 The Winners Take It All . 462 . Postscript: Trial of the Decade . .476 . 1970s Roll Of Honour . 480 . Acknowledgements . 486 Endnotes . 488. Index . 501. 1 RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE DAVROS: Evil? No! No, I will not accept that.
    [Show full text]
  • Whole Day Download the Hansard Record of the Entire Day in PDF Format. PDF File, 1.15
    Monday Volume 633 11 December 2017 No. 66 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday 11 December 2017 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2017 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF THE CABINET (FORMED BY THE RT HON. THERESA MAY, MP, JUNE 2017) PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. Theresa May, MP FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE AND MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE—The Rt Hon. Damian Green MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. Philip Hammond, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt Hon. Amber Rudd, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION—The Rt Hon. David Davis, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt Hon. Gavin Williamson, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE—The Rt Hon. David Lidington, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Justine Greening, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE—The Rt Hon. Liam Fox, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY—The Rt Hon. Greg Clark, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Essential Soccer Skills Celebrates the Sport by Presenting Its Varied and Complex Skills in a Clear and Simple Way
    essential Learn how to master the key skills and techniques of the world’s most popular sport with this essential guide to soccer. SOCCER Explains the laws, tactics, and science behind the world’s most popular game Features detailed step-by-step illustrations to help perfect your skills SOCCER Describes the key tricks and techniques, from stops and turns to stepovers and set plays Profiles the individual skills used by legendary players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham Key tips and techniques Includes the concepts, formations, and strategies to improve your Game behind effective teamwork Includes content previously published in The Soccer Book Cover images: Background: iStockphoto.com: Max Delson Martin Santos. Front: Getty Images: AFP skills Other image © Dorling Kindersley. For further information see: www.dkimages.com $14.95 USA $16.95 Canada Printed in China Discover more at www.dk.com SOCCER SOCCER KEY TIPS AND TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME Includes content previously published in The Soccer Book LONDON, NEW YORK, MUNICH, MELBOURNE, and DELHI Senior Editor Bob Bridle Senior Art Editor Sharon Spencer Production Editor Tony Phipps Production Controller Louise Minihane Jacket Designer Mark Cavanagh Managing Editor Stephanie Farrow Managing Art Editor Lee Griffiths US Editor Margaret Parrish DK INDIA Managing Art Editor Ashita Murgai Editorial Lead Saloni Talwar Senior Art Editor Rajnish Kashyap Project Designer Anchal Kaushal Project Editor Garima Sharma Designers Amit Malhotra, Diya Kapur Editors Shatarupa Chaudhari, Karisma Walia Production Manager Pankaj Sharma DTP Manager Balwant Singh Senior DTP Designer Harish Aggarwal DTP Designers Shanker Prasad, Bimlesh Tiwari, Vishal Bhatia, Jaypal Singh Chauhan Managing Director Aparna Sharma First American Edition, 2011 Published in the United States by DK Publishing 375 Hudson Street New York, New York 10014 11 12 13 14 15 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 001—176109—Mar/2011 Includes content previously published in The Soccer Book Copyright © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • BBC Films, and in October 2007 She Was Appointed Commissioning Editor of the BBC Films Board
    Mongrel Media Presents THE DAMNED UNITED Directed by Tom Hooper (98 min., UK, 2009) Distribution Publicity Bonne Smith 1028 Queen Street West Star PR Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1H6 Tel: 416-488-4436 Tel: 416-516-9775 Fax: 416-516-0651 Fax: 416-488-8438 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.mongrelmedia.com High res stills may be downloaded from http://www.mongrelmedia.com/press.html Logline An examination of what went wrong for the dynamic, outspoken young football manager Brian Clough when he took over at Leeds United, the reigning champions in 1974. Synopsis Set in 1960’s and 1970’s England, THE DAMNED UNITED tells the confrontational and darkly humorous story of Brian Clough’s doomed 44 day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football Leeds United. Previously managed by his bitter rival Don Revie, and on the back of their most successful period ever as a football club, Leeds was perceived by many to represent a new aggressive and cynical style of football - an anathema to the principled yet flamboyant Brian Clough, who had achieved astonishing success as manager of Hartlepool and Derby County building teams in his own vision with trusty lieutenant Peter Taylor. Taking the Leeds job without Taylor by his side, with a changing room full of what in his mind were still Don’s boys, would lead to an unheralded examination of Clough’s belligerence and brilliance over 44 days. This is that story. The story of The Damned United. THE DAMNED UNITED stars Michael Sheen (The Deal, The Queen, Frost/Nixon) as the legendary, opinionated football manager Brian Clough with Timothy Spall (Secrets and Lies, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sweeney Todd) as his right hand man, only friend, and crutch Peter Taylor.
    [Show full text]
  • Matches – 5 May 1973 –Leeds United 0 Sunderland 1
    Matches – 5 May 1973 –Leeds United 0 Sunderland 1 FA Cup final – Wembley – 100,000 Scorers: None Leeds United: Harvey, Reaney, Cherry, Bremner, Madeley, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, Jones, Giles, E Gray (Yorath 77) Sunderland: Montgomery, Malone, Guthrie, Horswill, Watson, Pitt, Kerr, Porterfield, Halom, Hughes, Tueart One of the lowest points in the history of Leeds United Football Club came in early May 1973, as they sought to defend the FA Cup they won for the first time twelve months earlier. They were the hottest favourites for years, considered certainties to beat their Second Division opponents, rank outsiders Sunderland. A day that should have been one of celebration and triumph ended instead with United in a trough of depression and despair. “Everything points to a United victory” read the unusually confident headline of Don Revie‟s column for the Yorkshire Evening Post the Saturday before the final. The Leeds manager was in buoyant mood, The Leeds United team wave to the crowd before the match: writing: “Leeds United‟s experience of playing at Billy Bremner, David Harvey, Paul Reaney, Johnny Giles, Wembley is likely to prove the decisive factor in next Norman Hunter, Trevor Cherry, Peter Lorimer, Eddie Gray, Saturday‟s FA Cup final against Sunderland… As far Paul Madeley, Mick Jones, Terry Yorath, Allan Clarke as the FA Cup final is concerned, I consider the Sunderland players will suffer to a certain extent as none of them has played at Wembley previously. “This will be Leeds‟ fifth Wembley Cup final in eight years (including the 1968 League Cup final against Arsenal).
    [Show full text]
  • Matches – 7 October 1972 – Leeds United 5 Derby County 0
    Matches – 7 October 1972 – Leeds United 5 Derby County 0 First Division – Elland Road – 36,477 Scorers: Giles 2, Clarke, Bremner, Lorimer Leeds United: Harvey, Madeley, Cherry, Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, Jones, Giles (Bates 51), E Gray Derby County: Boulton, Robson, Nish, Durban, McFarland, Todd, Daniel, Gemmill, O‟Hare, Hector, Hinton After the circumstances in which Leeds United lost out on the League championship to Derby County in May 1972, Don Revie and his men were desperate to gain some sort of payback, and were given the perfect opportunity when the Rams visited Elland Road five months later. On 8 May 1972, two days after beating Arsenal to win the FA Cup, United required just a draw at Wolves to secure the championship. They lost 2-1, allowing Derby, on holiday in the Scilly Isles, to claim the title almost by default. The failure was all the more galling for Revie because County‟s manager was the outspoken Brian Clough. The Rams boss was a regular and vitriolic critic of the approach espoused by Revie and his team. Clough wrote in later years, “On one occasion I was so incensed by their flouting of the rules that I went on record saying Don Revie should be fined and his team kicked out of the First Division and dumped in the Second. They didn‟t like that at Elland Road. The Yorkshire Post of 9 October 1972 carries the story of United's 5-0 rout of Derby two days earlier They gave the impression that they were prepared to trample on anyone who attempted to criticise their flawed talents.
    [Show full text]
  • Matches – 9 May 1973 – Leeds United 6 Arsenal 1
    Matches – 9 May 1973 – Leeds United 6 Arsenal 1 First Division – Elland Road – 25,088 Scorers: Lorimer 3, 1 pen (23 mins, 27, 65), Bremner (78), Jordan 2 (80, 81) Leeds United: Harvey, Reaney, Cherry, Bremner, Yorath, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke (Jones 40), Jordan, Giles, Madeley Arsenal: Wilson, Batson, McNab, Storey, Blockley, Simpson, Armstrong, Ball, Radford, Kennedy, Hornsby (Price 45) 1972/73 had been in many ways a re- run of the nightmares of 1970 for Leeds United; within the space of a fortnight, their pursuit of the League title ran into the sand and they suffered the ignominy of losing the FA Cup final to Second Division Sunderland in one of the biggest Cup upsets of all time. Four days after their debacle at Wembley Stadium, United had the chance to recover at least some of their lost pride, as they hosted First Division runners up Arsenal in their final League game of the campaign. United still retained strong hopes of some silverware in the form of the Bob Wilson congratulates Sunderland keeper Jim Montgomery following the European Cup Winners Cup. Leeds had Wearsiders' Cup semi-final defeat of Arsenal reached the final against AC Milan, but it was important to Don Revie and his men to end their Division One season on a high by beating the Gunners. It wouldn’t make any difference to final placings in the table, as Arsenal were certain of second place behind Liverpool with United guaranteed third spot ahead of Bobby Robson’s Ipswich, but Leeds were hungry for victory. The only changes to United’s Wembley line-up saw Terry Yorath in for Eddie Gray and Joe Jordan replacing Mick Jones, named sub.
    [Show full text]