1973…

As the current Leeds United AFC side took all three points in the 2-0 win over Stockport, they were also rewarded by a place in the history books. After notching 8 wins out of 8 this season, the lad’s 14th home league win on the bounce set two new club records. Both were previously held by Don Revie’s teams – the 1969 record of 13 home league wins on the trot and of course, the 1973 record of 7 wins at the start the season in all competitions. Whilst the record set in 1969 was impressive, it was 1973 that had recently  been brought back into focus. Back in 2007, Dennis Wise’s side won 7 league games out of 7 and would have won 8 but for a disastrous afternoon at the mercy of referee Danny McDermid in the game at Gillingham, in which the home team scored a last gasp leveller in the most controversial of games…

Whether that win would have been enough to claim the record I suppose is open to question as a previous defeat in the cup at Portsmouth had spoiled the 100% record for the season. Still, the 1973 record is now overtaken and it’s Grayson’s Leeds side that will be the ones mentioned going forward. However, despite the record being overtaken, it is unlikely that the events of 1973 will ever be forgotten by any of the White army. As a whole, 1973 was an interesting time for Leeds United AFC. The year started with a 2-1 home win over Spurs and ended with a 1-1 draw away at Birmingham City. Those two results however spanned two seasons and though the final days of the 1972/1973 season would only bring heartbreak for the White Army, the 1973/1974 season was altogether a different story…

Back in 1973, the world was a different place, as Sam Tyler from “Life on Mars” would be quick to tell us. It was the Year of the Ox and all manner of things were happening in the world, notably the UK entered the European Economic Community. The US and North Vietnam signed the Paris Peace Treaty. Juan Peron returned to power in Argentina and whilst the new Sydney Opera House was opened,  Skylab was flung into Earth’s orbit by a Saturn V rocket.  In music, David Bowie killed off Ziggy Stardust, The Who released Quadrophenia  and Pink Floyd released the amazing Dark Side of The Moon. Noddy’s Brummy lot Slade were on top form – “Cum On Feel The Noize” rocketing to number 1 and “Merry Xmas Everybody” topping the charts for 5 weeks at Christmas…

On the old telebox debuts for Last Of The Summer Wine, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em and Are You Being Served began to etch themselves into comedy folklore with Lee Major’s “Six Million Dollar man” influencing kids up and down the country to run slow-motion in school playgrounds. Out of many new releases at the flicks, The Exorcist proved a to be a bit of a head turner and Roger Moore’s first James Bond film, Live and Let Die was released. In other – more important – news, just 6 days after Revie’s team had lost their winning start to the 1973/1974 season, yours truly was spat out into this world with White, Yellow and Blue blood pumping through my veins…

1973 seems to have been a year tailor made for a Leeds fan to be born into. It typified everything that supporting this great club is all about. From being hated by all around to “Dirty Leeds” to the “Eternal bridesmaids” tag and to being ripped off by bent referees. However despite all that, there was still scope for stunning football and reasons to be proud. In May of 1973, Revie’s boys had Finished 3rd in the old Division One, a massive 7 points behind Champions Liverpool. The title had already been put out of reach by the time Arsenal, who finished second, had been thrashed 6-1 at Elland Road. This final league performance came on the back of being beaten by second division Sunderland in FA Cup final just 4 days earlier. Lots have been written about that day, but Wembley’s own website claims:

“For many people the FA Cup Final of 1973, Wembley’s 50th year, remains their favourite final. Second Division Sunderland, with a team containing no internationals, defeated Leeds United who had no fewer than ten, for a classic Cup upset. Sunderland ’keeper Jim Montgomery made a miraculous double-save from Cherry and Lorimer and manager Bob Stokoe’s post-match charge across the pitch to embrace him, raincoat flapping in the wind, is one of the Cup’s most enduring images. Leeds had their chances and might have been ahead before Ian Porterfield volleyed the goal that won the Cup on the half-hour.”

If these events were a hard pill to swallow for all connected with the club, 7 days later it was the boy’s 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in the Cup Winners Cup Final which was the icing on the cake. That night in Greece, referee Christos Michas undoubtedly robbed Leeds United AFC out the European Cup Winners’ Cup and over the subsequent years, the game has become infamous. In an interview back in 2000, Peter “Hotshot” Lorimer claimed that it was injured Giles who told the Leeds players on the lunchtime before the game that:

“We couldn’t win, no matter how well we played. Sure enough, when the game started we soon realised the referee was giving us nothing, turning down penalties, while there were a number of other very dubious decisions,” Lorimer continued: “Milan went on to win 1-0 and at the end of the game the crowd chanted a word to the referee which meant “shame” in Greek. It was so obvious to them what had happened.  Although we didn’t get the trophy, we did get a standing ovation and the acclaim, with the referee later banned for life.”

Indeed he was, after he disallowed one clear goal, turned down three Whites penalty appeals, sent off Hunter for a spot of retaliation and allowed the winning Milan goal – scored  by Chiarugi, direct from an indirect free kick after just four minutes – it was then found he had been bribed by AC Milan. Reports claim he was sent to jail, fined by a Greek court and banned from football for life by UEFA. Questions are still asked today as to why Leeds were never allowed a replay and in April 2009, Richard Corbett, who was a MEP for Yorkshire and Humber had tried to petition UEFA in the hope of getting some justice done. Despite a 12,000 strong petition, UEFA claimed that nothing could be done so long after the event. Footage of the game can be found on:

www.thebeatengeneration.co.uk

That summer, Don Revie regrouped the squad and told them in no uncertain terms that he wanted them to not only win the league, but do it in style. More importantly, he challenged them to do it unbeaten and ram it down the throats of the critics in the football world who had written off his now ageing side. As the 1973/1974 season unfolded there was an air of amazement as the Whites, wearing a new kit showing off the now iconic “Smiley” badge on their chests, won the first seven games in the league to create the long standing club record. Led by King Billy (voted 5th in the 1973 European player of the year poll), it was swashbuckling stuff with goals and entertaining football stunning football fans across the country:

Everton (H) 3 – 1 – Giles, Jones, Bremner
Arsenal (A) 2 – 1 – Lorimer, Madeley
Tottenham Hotspur (A) 3 – 0 – Clarke, Bremner, Bremner
Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) 4 – 1 – Jones, Bremner, Lorimer, Lorimer (pen)
Birmingham City (H) 3 – 0 – Lorimer, Lorimer, Lorimer (pen)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) 2 – 0 – Jones, Clarke
Southampton (A) 2 – 1 – Clarke, Clarke

The game that saw this impressive run of displays grind to a halt was the 1-1 draw against Stromgodset Drammen. From there, despite a couple of set backs in the cups, Leeds marched on to a brilliant undefeated 29 league games. It’s a record that still stands today and one we would very much like Simon Grayson’s boys to better.  Revie’s boys finally came unstuck 2-3 at Stoke City in February 1974. It was a frustrating game for Revie and Cocker, especially as this was a game Leeds were winning 2-0 before becoming complacent. According to interviews, Eddie Gray told how the players always knew when Don was mad with them as he would be combing his hair in the dressing room mirror as they came in after a game. Joe Jordan recalled the sombre mood after the Stoke game saying:

“ On that day, he was combing his hair, with Les Cocker beside him and whether he allowed it to be overheard or not, he said to Les as he was combing his hair that – Les, I think its about time we got some players in here, I think we need to get the cheque book out”

Perhaps an over reaction by the great Don, but the defeat at Stoke City led to a mini wobble as the boys only won 2 from the next 9 fixtures before regaining some composure. By the time May 1974 had come around, Leeds United AFC were champions of England in Don’s last season. With a record of Winning 24, drawing 14, losing only 4 games and scoring 66 goals in the process, this Leeds team made their mark one of the best in football history. Don Revie was manager of the year and Norman Hunter took the first ever PFA player of the year. Shortly after, Don left for the England job with a certain Brian Clough chosen to take over the reigns. That however jumps into 1974/1975 territory already covered in detail thanks to the release of the film “The Damned United”…

36 years later and it may not be as blatent , but the club still face the same sort of battles as 1973.  Still defiantly hated by the masses, reluctantly still bridesmaids (after three recent Play Off defeats) and at times, still ripped off by refs (fuck off Danny boy) and the powers that be (fuck off Mawhinney).  All connected with the current era at Leeds United AFC can feel rightly proud of what has been achived and with 8 games gone, the class of 2009/2010 have the chance to blaze a trail and go after the 29 league game unbeaten run. For now though, that is all pie in the sky and that record remains frozen in time along with memories of Don Revie and his wonderful 1973/1974 side…

Leeds United AFC… “The greatest team in football”… ” Keep Fighting…