Today marks the 106th birthday of Leeds United Association Football Club, more than a century of passion, pride, triumph, and turmoil. Through its highs and lows, few clubs have embodied the spirit of their city quite like Leeds United. From humble beginnings and controversial collapses to unforgettable glories and recent resurgence, the story of Leeds United is one of resilience against the odds.
Football in Leeds long predates the formation of Leeds United. In the late 19th century, local clubs such as Hunslet Football Club, Leeds Woodville, and Leeds Albion helped sow the seeds of the game across West Yorkshire. Hunslet FC were among the early success stories, winning the West Yorkshire Cup in 1898, while Leeds Woodville competed in the Leeds League, sharing Elland Road with Holbeck Rugby Club. When Holbeck failed to gain entry to the Rugby League’s First Division in 1904, the club folded, and Elland Road was put up for sale. It left behind not only an empty ground but also an opportunity, one that would soon change the sporting landscape of Leeds forever.
Although Leeds was a traditional Rugby League stronghold, there was a growing appetite for association football. The men who had once been behind Hunslet FC saw the potential. Meeting at the Griffin Hotel in Leeds, they began to lay plans for a new football team that could represent the city. Thus, in 1904, Leeds City Football Club was born. At the time, Leeds was the largest city in England without a Football League team, an omission that was swiftly corrected on 29 May 1905, when Leeds City were admitted to the Second Division of the Football League.
Leeds City’s early years were modest, with mid-table finishes in their first few seasons. But in 1912, a young, ambitious manager named Herbert Chapman arrived and began to transform the team’s fortunes. Under Chapman’s guidance, City climbed the table and came close to winning promotion to the top flight, establishing a reputation for attacking football and tactical innovation. However, the outbreak of the First World War in 1915 halted the Football League. During wartime, Leeds City competed in unofficial competitions and even won an unofficial wartime championship, bolstered by guest players that included several internationals.
When competitive football resumed in 1919, trouble quickly followed. The Football League accused Leeds City of making illegal payments to players during the war years, a serious breach of the rules. Despite Chapman having already left the club for Huddersfield Town, the inquiry resulted in the ultimate punishment: Leeds City were expelled from the Football League and the club was formally disbanded in October 1919. In a remarkable episode, the entire playing staff was auctioned off at the Metropole Hotel in Leeds on 17 October 1919. Among the attendees were representatives from clubs across the country, snapping up players to strengthen their own sides. Leeds, once again, found itself without a football club.
But out of the ashes of Leeds City, a new hope emerged. Later that same month, over 1,000 loyal supporters gathered at Salem Hall in Hunslet to form a new club, Leeds United A.F.C. Determined to restore professional football to the city, they secured Elland Road as their home ground and applied for league membership. Leeds United were swiftly admitted to the Midland League on 31 October 1919, taking the place vacated by Leeds City’s reserve team. The response from fans was immediate and passionate, proving that football in Leeds was far from dead. Their ambition was rewarded less than a year later. On 31 May 1920, Leeds United were elected to the Football League, the beginning of a new era for the city. In their first league season, the club finished 14th, a solid start for a team built from scratch.
From those early days in the Midland League to the glory years under Don Revie, the European adventures of the O’Leary era, the struggles of administration and League One, and the rebirth under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United have lived through every extreme football can offer. The club’s history is a story of defiance, of a city and its people refusing to be beaten. As we celebrate 105 years of Leeds United, we look back not just on a football club, but on a cornerstone of the city’s identity. From Elland Road’s earliest terraces to its modern-day roar, Leeds United continues to captivate generations. Here’s to the next 106 years, and to the fans who make it all possible.
Further Reading…
Websites
Oz Whites Leeds United FC History
The Might Might Whites
WAFLL A Brief History of Leeds United
Books
Ups And Downs by James Willoughby
100 Years of Leeds United by Daniel Chapman
An Official History of Leeds United by Andrew Dalton