Matches – 18 March 1972 –Leeds United 2 Tottenham 1 First Division – Elland Road – 43,937 Scorers: Clarke, Charlton Leeds United: Sprake, Madeley, Cooper (Reaney), Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, Jones, Giles, E Gray Tottenham Hotspur: Jennings, Evans, Knowles, Pratt, England, Beal, Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Coates), Morgan The Spring of 1972 saw Leeds United scale new heights with a series of fantastic displays which earned them the nickname „Super Leeds‟; most football followers are able to recall the heavy defeats inflicted on Manchester United and Southampton, but the FA Cup quarter final with Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road was, in some ways, just as momentous an occasion. The other games had been Les Cocker leads Clarke, Hunter, Cooper, Sprake, Reaney and Gray through United's new one-sided affairs with United pre-match routine blitzing hapless opponents: Spurs promised to be more of a threat and there was the prize of a semi final awaiting the victors. Nevertheless, Leeds were imperious and in truth they battered Tottenham despite the narrowness of the final margin. Another memorable feature of the day was the introduction of United‟s pre-match routine, the gimmickery of which was as much a hallmark of „Super Leeds‟ in 1972 as their spectacular football. Spectators were streaming into the ground for nearly two hours prior to kick off and United were given a terrific reception when they came out twenty minutes before the start to limber up under the watchful eye of trainer Les Cocker. They were wearing new tracksuits, each bearing the individual name of its wearer, and numbered and autographed stocking tags which they would hand out to supporters after the final whistle. Cocker took the players through a display of calisthenics and ball skills, as reported by Don Warters in the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Billy Bremner, Johnny Giles and Eddie Gray demonstrating ball www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Matches – 18 March 1972, Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1 1 control; Peter Lorimer trying out his cannon ball shooting power from the halfway line; Gary Sprake testing his reflexes by throwing the ball against a post and saving the rebounds. “These are some of the ideas Leeds United have for extending the scope of their highly popular pre- match warm up, which provided such an exciting curtain raiser to the Spurs Cup-tie. United have had little hesitation in giving the all clear for the continuation of these continental style displays.” Don Revie told Warters, “Obviously we shall change our routine and it is our intention to let the fans see what individual skills we possess in all departments of the game... In addition, we shall continue to give away the autographed stocking tabs after each game... In other words, we hope to make the fans feel as important to us as we hope the team are to them. We have a great team here and we have some fine supporters, too, so anything we can do to forge closer links between the two we shall attempt... Supporters are very much a part of any club, and it is important that they feel this. After all, they are the people who pay us our wages, and I think it is important that they associate themselves with the players. “It would be great to see us average between 43,000 and 45,000 each home match, for the more support we get the better chance we have of making Elland Road the finest club stadium in the North and perhaps the country.” Terry Brindle in the Yorkshire Post: “On the eve of his 11th year at Elland Road, Don Revie feels the time has come to bury, once and for all, Leeds United‟s lingering reputation as a „method‟ side, a reputation which undervalues the extraordinary depth of individual talent at the club. “At the same time, Revie had set himself the task of expanding and deepening United‟s relations with their fans. „They have been absolutely tremendous this season and everybody at the club is delighted with our support. We want to show them just how much we value the packed attendances of recent weeks and the fact that they are right behind us,‟ said Revie last night. “First steps in the creation of United‟s new image were taken on Saturday when Leeds met Spurs in the FA Cup sixth round. United took the field 20 minutes early, acknowledged the support of the fans and then gave a demonstration of loosening exercises led by their trainer, Les Cocker. “The second part of Revie‟s blueprint for the future – a new spotlight on the individuality of his players – was indicated at the end of the tie when United‟s players threw into the crowd autographed number tabs from their stockings. During the pre-match warm up players wore individually named tracksuit tops. “„For a long time, Leeds United have been described as a team that works hard, that is well disciplined, that has a machine like quality. What has been grossly underplayed is the tremendous individual ability in the side,‟ said Revie. „We have the Welsh international goalkeeper, the United introduced individually numbered sock tags as part of an attempt to improve their public image www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Matches – 18 March 1972, Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1 2 Scottish captain, one of the greatest characters in the game at centre-half. We have individuals of the highest ability and flair – and they have not been getting the credit they deserve. Every one of our players is really talented and I want to see that talent recognised. I feel that the crowd want to identify with the players and we want everyone to feel they are part of the club and of its greatness.‟ “United now plan more pre-match entertainment for their supporters and are taking advice from a Public Relations expert (Paul Trevillion). „We have not hired a PR firm to advise us in the proper sense, this is an individual who gives us some guidance,‟ said Revie. “After 11 years during which United have done most of their talking on the field, the trend towards showbiz did not come easily for everyone. Jack Charlton played the first few minutes of the match in an undervest until his shirt was brought from the dressing room. In putting on his named tracksuit top, he had forgotten to put on his shirt.” The showmanship brought other benefits: the ticket prices had been increased by 50% for the game, but there was still a crowd of virtually 44,000 in the stadium at kick off time. Don Revie had a full squad to choose from for the game, and reverted to his customary selection of the time, with Paul Madeley at right-back and Paul Reaney sitting on the bench. Spurs manager Bill Nicholson opted for the determination and defensive steel of John Pratt in midfield in preference to the attacking qualities of former Burnley star Ralph Coates who he named as sub. Tottenham fielded their star-studded forward line of Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters and Morgan, though it was Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings who took the honours for the visitors on the day. United began the contest on the offensive with Peter Lorimer and Madeley taking the ball on, but Mike England was nicely placed to clear the Scot‟s centre before it could reach Mick Jones. Billy Bremner created another opening when he sent over a centre from the right. Allan Clarke was waiting but it was Eddie Gray who got his head to it, nodding the ball against the crossbar. Leeds continued to press and Clarke was only just wide with a shot from 10 yards before England headed away from Jones. Tottenham‟s Cyril Knowles challenges Billy Bremner With eleven minutes gone, Spurs finally got out of their own half, Cyril Knowles feeding Tottenham skipper Martin Peters, whose shot from six yards was turned behind by Gary Sprake. www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Matches – 18 March 1972, Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1 3 That was a rare excursion into the United half by the visitors and Leeds were soon back to test Jennings, who dived to turn away a great shot on the turn from Jones, fingertipping the ball over the bar. Seconds later the keeper went full length again to touch a low shot from Terry Cooper away for another flag kick. Clarke came close with a shot from a narrow angle which went across goal and then Gray chipped over from a similarly challenging position. Spurs were creaking under the United pressure and the game threatened to boil over with a succession of irritable incidents. Knowles felled Lorimer and then Bremner lunged in on Phil Beal. When Bremner was sent crashing as he went through, felled by a challenge from Knowles, he gave a display of amateur dramatics to ensure he was awarded the free kick. Centre-half England took great exception to the histrionics and attempted to drag the Scot to his feet by his shirt. Other players rushed to join in as Bremner sought retribution. Referee Jack Taylor looked to calm things down with bookings for both England and Bremner, though the home supporters howled their displeasure at the caution for the home captain. Leeds continued to press with Jones shooting wide when nicely placed, but five minutes before the break it was the visitors who opened the scoring, much to United‟s surprise. Steve Perryman fed John Pratt out wide on the left. As Knowles overlapped, the midfielder cut inside and curled in a hopeful long ball from 30 yards, in search of Martin Chivers and Alan Gilzean.