1971–72 Leeds United A.F.C. season

The 1971–72 season was Leeds United's eighth consecutive season in the Football League First Division, the top tier of English football, where they finished 2nd, one point behind winners Derby County. Alongside the First Division, the club competed in the FA Cup, Football League Cup and the UEFA Cup. Leeds won the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1–0 in the final on 6 May 1972. They were eliminated from the Football League Cup in the third round and were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Lierse S.K. in the first round.

Leeds United
1971–72 season
ChairmanPercy Woodward
ManagerDon Revie
StadiumElland Road
First Division2nd
FA CupWinners
League CupThird round
UEFA CupFirst round
Highest home attendance46,565 vs Chelsea, First Division, 1 May 1972
Lowest home attendance18,623 vs Newcastle United, First Division, 1 September 1971
Average home league attendance35,666
Biggest win7–0 vs Southampton, First Division, 4 March 1972
Biggest defeat0–4 vs Lierse S.K., UEFA Cup, 29 September 1971

Background

In March 1961, the club appointed former player Don Revie as manager, following the resignation of Jack Taylor. His stewardship began in adverse circumstances; the club was in financial difficulty[1] and in 1961–62 only a win in the final game of the season saved the club from relegation to Division Three.[2] Revie implemented a youth policy and a change of kit colour to an all-white strip in the style of Real Madrid,[3] and Leeds soon won promotion to the First Division in 1963–64. Leeds adapted well to the First Division in the 1964–65 campaign, finishing second to rivals Manchester United on goal difference.[4] It took the club until 1968 to win their first major honour, winning the League Cup with Terry Cooper scoring the only goal of a 1–0 victory in the final against Arsenal.[5] They also won the 1968 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final, beating Hungarian club Ferencvárosi over two legs. Leeds won the first leg 1–0, and a month later defended their lead with a 0–0 draw in Budapest,[6] before winning the First Division for the first time in the 1968–69 campaign.[7][8]

Having rejected an offer to manage Birmingham City, Revie chose to remain at Leeds for the 1970–71 campaign.[9] Leeds and Arsenal both challenged for the title that season, though it would be the Gunners who would claim the league title, finishing one point ahead of Leeds after the latter lost to West Bromwich Albion following a controversial offside goal.[10] United were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Fourth Division side Colchester United.[11] Leeds again found success in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup though, beating Juventus in the final on away goals.[12]

Season summary

As a result of the pitch invasion against West Bromwich Albion, Leeds were banned from playing their first five home games of the 1971–72 season at home, and only managed to pick up 2 points from those games. However, they still managed to mount a challenge for the Double; an Allan Clarke goal was enough as Leeds beat Arsenal 1–0 in the FA Cup Final, but once again heavy fixture congestion meant that Leeds had to play three crucial games within the space of one week; an away match against Chelsea in the league three days before the FA cup final and they had to play their final league game less than two days after the final, which was away to Wolves. Leeds only had to draw this game to win the title, but they were beaten. The league went to Derby County, again by 1 point. Eric Todd of the Guardian wrote on the situation in the week prior to these games: "If Leeds fail to win either the Cup or the League title they need not blame loss of form. They must blame the system. And if Leeds cannot field a full strength side against Arsenal at Wembley, the crowd can blame the Football League and Chelsea who have decided that their jaunt to the West Indies, or wherever it is, is more important than trying to help Leeds prepare properly for crucial football matches." In later years controversy surrounding the Wolves game would develop into a match-fixing scandal, with accusations directed towards Leeds United captain Billy Bremner. However Bremner would clear his name of these allegations in court, with evidence given for Bremner by Wolves's captain and forward Derek Dougan, who scored the winning goal in the match at Molineux.

Competitions

Football League First Division
Main article: 1971–72 Football League First Division

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Derby County (C) 42 24 10 8 69 33 2.091 58 Qualified for European Cup
2 Leeds United 42 24 9 9 73 31 2.355 57 FA Cup winners, qualified for Cup Winners' Cup
3 Liverpool 42 24 9 9 64 30 2.133 57 Qualified for UEFA Cup
4 Manchester City 42 23 11 8 77 45 1.711 57
5 Arsenal 42 22 8 12 58 40 1.450 52
Source:
(C) League Champions.

Matches
Win Draw Loss
DateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
14 August 1971Manchester CityAway1–0Lorimer38,566
17 August 1971Sheffield UnitedAway0–3—40,725
21 August 1971Wolverhampton WanderersHome0–0—20,686
25 August 1971Tottenham HotspurHome1–1Bremner25,099
28 August 1971Ipswich TownAway2–0Lorimer, Belfitt26,689
1 September 1971Newcastle UnitedHome5–1Charlton, Lorimer, Giles (pen.), Yorath, Madeley18,623
4 September 1971Crystal PalaceHome2–0Madeley, Giles (pen.)18,715
11 September 1971ArsenalAway0–2—51,196
18 September 1971LiverpoolHome1–0Lorimer41,381
25 September 1971Huddersfield TownAway1–2Charlton26,340
2 October 1971West Ham UnitedHome0–0—30,942
9 October 1971Coventry CityAway1–3Parker (o.g.)32,183
16 October 1971Manchester CityHome3–0Clarke, Jones, Lorimer36,004
23 October 1971EvertonHome3–2Cooper, Charlton, Lorimer34,208
30 October 1971Manchester UnitedAway1–0Lorimer53,960
6 November 1971Leicester CityHome2–1Bremner, Lorimer39,877
13 November 1971SouthamptonAway1–2Giles25,331
20 November 1971Stoke CityHome1–0Lorimer32,012
27 November 1971Nottingham ForestAway2–0Lorimer, Clarke29,463
4 December 1971West Bromwich AlbionHome3–0Giles (2), Lorimer32,521
11 December 1971ChelseaAway0–0—45,867
18 December 1971Crystal PalaceAway1–1Lorimer31,456
27 December 1971Derby CountyHome3–0Gray, Lorimer (2)44,214
1 January 1972LiverpoolAway2–0Clarke, Jones53,847
8 January 1972Ipswich TownHome2–2Bremner, Clarke32,194
22 January 1972Sheffield UnitedHome1–0Clarke41,038
29 January 1972Tottenham HotspurAway0–1—46,774
12 February 1972EvertonAway0–0—45,935
19 February 1972Manchester UnitedHome5–1Jones (3), Clarke, Lorimer45,399
4 March 1972SouthamptonHome7–0Clarke (2), Lorimer (3), Charlton, Jones34,275
11 March 1972Coventry CityHome1–0Charlton43,154
22 March 1972Leicester CityAway0–0—32,152
25 March 1972ArsenalHome3–0Clarke, Jones, Lorimer45,055
27 March 1972Nottingham ForestHome6–1Lorimer (2), Gray (2), Clarke (2)40,866
31 March 1972West Ham UnitedAway2–2Gray (2)41,003
1 April 1972Derby CountyAway0–2—39,450
5 April 1972Huddersfield TownHome3–1Jones, Lorimer, Gray46,148
8 April 1972Stoke CityAway3–0Jones (2), Lorimer35,123
19 April 1972Newcastle UnitedAway0–1—42,006
22 April 1972West Bromwich AlbionAway1–0Giles (pen.)39,724
1 May 1972ChelseaHome2–0Bremner, Jones46,565
8 May 1972Wolverhampton WanderersAway1–2Bremner53,379

Source: [13]

FA Cup
Main article: 1971–72 FA Cup
Win Draw Loss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
Third round15 January 1972Bristol RoversHome4–1Giles (2), Lorimer (2)33,565
Fourth round5 February 1972LiverpoolAway0–0—56,300
Fifth round9 February 1972LiverpoolHome2–0Clarke (2)45,821
Fifth round replay26 February 1972Cardiff CityAway2–0Giles (2)50,000
Sixth round18 March 1972Tottenham HotspurHome2–1Clarke, Charlton43,937
Semi-final15 April 1972Birmingham CityNeutral3–0Jones (2), Lorimer55,000
Final6 May 1972ArsenalNeutral1–0Clarke100,000

Source: [14]

League Cup
Main article: 1971–72 Football League Cup
Win Draw Loss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
Second round8 September 1971Derby CountyAway0–0—34,023
Second round replay27 September 1971Derby CountyHome2–0Lorimer (2)29,132
Third round6 October 1971West Ham UnitedAway0–0—35,890
Third round replay20 October 1971West Ham UnitedHome0–1 (a.e.t.)—26,504

Source: [15]

UEFA Cup
Main article: 1971–72 UEFA Cup
Win Draw Loss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
First round first leg15 September 1971Lierse S.K.Away2–0Galvin, Lorimer17,000
First round second leg29 September 1971Lierse S.K.Home0–4—18,600

Source: [16]

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Trophy Play-Off
Main article: Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Trophy Play-Off
Win Draw Loss
DateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
22 September 1971FC BarcelonaAway1–2Jordan35,000

Source: [17]

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Notes
  1. Leeds United's score written first
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References
  1. "1961–62". Tony Hill. ozwhitelufc.net.au. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  2. "The Definitive History of Leeds United – Review of 1961–62 Part 2 – The Difference". www.mightyleeds.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  3. Corbett, James (2007-11-25). "James Corbett on Don Revie". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  4. Sutcliffe, Richard. (2010). Revie:revered and reviled. Ilkley: Great Northern. p. 76. ISBN 9781905080786. OCLC 659245787.
  5. "English League Cup Betting | 1967/68 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  6. "European Competitions 1967–68". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
  7. Sutcliffe, Richard. (2010). Revie : revered and reviled. Ilkley: Great Northern. p. 113. ISBN 9781905080786. OCLC 659245787.
  8. "The Definitive History of Leeds United – 1968/69 – Part 2 – Champions". www.mightyleeds.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
  9. Sutcliffe, Richard. (2010). Revie : revered and reviled. Ilkley: Great Northern. p. 129. ISBN 9781905080786. OCLC 659245787.
  10. Sutcliffe, Richard. (2010). Revie : revered and reviled. Ilkley: Great Northern. p. 130. ISBN 9781905080786. OCLC 659245787.
  11. Sutcliffe, Richard. (2010). Revie : revered and reviled. Ilkley: Great Northern. p. 132. ISBN 9781905080786. OCLC 659245787.
  12. "European Competitions 1970–71". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
  13. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record 1919-1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. pp. 114–115. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 14977257.
  14. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record 1919-1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. pp. 152–153. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 14977257.
  15. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record 1919-1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. p. 159. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 14977257.
  16. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record 1919-1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. p. 172. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 14977257.
  17. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record 1919-1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. p. 173. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 14977257.
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