LEEDS BOOK 1963 - 1975

Leeds United
1965-66
A Season in Brief
DIVISION ONE
Preview
The club would now be competing on
four fronts, Don Revie announced that
the League Cup would be the lowest of
his priorities, a chance to blood further
youngsters. Surprisingly there were no
new signings during pre-season, but
the manager had set his sights on young
Blackpool wideman Alan Ball and he
spent all his time trying to persuade
Blackpool to do business.
Substitutes were to be allowed for the first
time, but only if a player was injured, it
was hoped that clubs would abide by the
spirit of the law. The club would also be
involved in competitive European action
for the first time in their history.
The Season
United began with a home win against
Sunderland and immediately settled into a
routine, quickly dispelling fears that they
might be a ‘one season’ wonder.
Torino were the first opponents in the Inter
Cities Fairs Cup (ICFC), Leeds progressed,
but it was at a high cost, as Collins was on
the end of a terrible foul that required an
operation in Italy. This virtually ruled him
out for the season and contributed to the
end of his United career.
Johnny Giles had long been considered
the ideal replacement for the ageing
Collins and he was an immediate success
when moved inside. This meant that there
was a gap at outside right. Revie was not
convinced that he had a replacement in
the squad, so he swooped to sign Mike
O’Grady from Huddersfield, he made his
debut as United recorded their biggest win
36 /((’681,7(’
since 1938 when they beat Northampton
Town 6-1.
Over the Christmas period, Leeds would
meet Liverpool, who would eventually
be crowned champions, home and away
on consecutive days, United winning at
Anfield, but losing at home the next day.
They lay in fifth spot but had games in
hand.
Further progress had been made in the
ICFC at the expense of Leipzig from East
Germany, before a glamour tie in Spain
against Valencia. Perhaps showing that
the team’s style was still based on counter
attack, they reversed football logic, by
twice winning away from home whilst
only drawing the games at Elland Road.
Although they were always close to the
top of the league, it looked as if their
best chance of silverware would be in
Europe. Advancing past Ujpest Doza 5-1
on aggregate, they then lined up against
Real Zaragoza from Spain. A 1-0 defeat
in Spain was followed by a 2-1 win at
home. In this competition, away goals
did not count, so the teams tossed up to
decide who would host the play-off game.
Bremner guessed correctly, so Leeds
would have home advantage, but it would
be two weeks until the game. Don Revie,
suspected that the Spaniards would not
like a heavy surface, so he arranged for the
local fire brigade to water the pitch, but to
no avail as United went down 3-1.
There was still a chance of a second place
finish, and despite losing to Newcastle,
they clinched it with a draw at Manchester
United, to finish runners-up for the
second consecutive year.
Postscript
The centre forward spot proved a difficult
position to fill. Continual injuries to Alan
Peacock meant that at times youngsters
such as Rod Belfitt or Rod Johnson were
asked to step up, or even Jim Storrie would
be brought back, despite not regaining his
form of previous years.
There were signs of tactical innovation as
the team adapted to European football,
a more fluid approach with the wingers
coming inside to compensate for the lack
of goals from the centre.
Highlights
By finishing second in the league, they
had proved that they weren’t a flash in
the pan. Further young players had been
introduced into the first team, a scoring
debut for seventeen year old Eddie Gray
gave a hint of what was to come. Off the
pitch, the club announced another big
profit, this time over £60,000.
Leaving Leeds
Brian Williamson the reserve keeper, upset
by his lack of first team opportunities, left
to join Nottingham Forest for a small
fee. Ian Lawson joined Crystal Palace for
£9,000 whilst Ian Bell left on a free transfer
for Bury.