Some of us were fortunate enough to support Leeds in the 60's and 70's, when it seemed that our star was, and would always be, the brightest in the heavens. We remember the great players and the great games. Here is one of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22u28SjVXPY
I was a fourteen year old in Dublin at the time, and my weekend was all about Leeds. We hung a radio high up in a tree to get reception, so we could hear second half commentary from Bryon Butler and Peter Jones, while we played football below. If we won brilliantly, and if Barry Davies purred in the commentary box, and if we got half-an-hour on Match of the Day, that was as good as it got. We enjoyed bragging rights in school for the whole week.
Just look at that team! Never mind transfer windows, their most recent recruit was Allan Clarke in 1969, three years previously. They played about sixty games a season, with virtually the same line up, week after week, not a plantar fasciitus in sight. All of them were British or Irish internationals. They could be hard when they needed to, but against Southampton on this day, they just seemed to be playing a game no-one had ever seen before.
There are plenty of us who go misty-eyed watching them, but for younger followers, what do you think about the Revie years? Is it time we left the past in the past, or should we remind ourselves that this is what we stand for - beautiful football?
Or perhaps you're not bothered one way or the other, you just want to see us pick up another three points at the weekend?
Please share your comments or your memories, especially if you were at the game. MOT.
Glory, glory Leeds United
posted on 9/9/24
I was at the game, it was a brilliant display, Watching it again you realise what a great team we had it will live long in the memory.
posted on 9/9/24
Great nostalgia but unfortunately I was too young to be aware of that great side at that time but the biggest Leeds victories I personally witnessed at Elland Road were Leeds 6 Oldham 0 (Andy Ritchie hatrick) and Leeds 5 Spurs 0 (Eric Cantona hatrick)
posted on 9/9/24
The highest score I saw was 10-0 v. Lyn Oslo around 1969.I can't remember the away score 1-3 ?.
posted on 10/9/24
comment by Hepworth Peacock (U21961)
posted 11 hours, 34 minutes ago
I was at the game, it was a brilliant display, Watching it again you realise what a great team we had it will live long in the memory.
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Lucky you, Hepworth! I got to see them in a friendly against Shelbourne a few months later. My Dad shouted 'Bite your legs, Norman' and Hunter gave us the biggest snarl ever. He was terrifying.
posted on 11/9/24
Absolutely wonderful memories👍
posted on 12/9/24
comment by NJS (U8272)
posted 2 days, 10 hours ago
I watched that game on a sunny Saturday afternoon, a classic Leeds victory in ancient times…what can you say that hasn’t already been said.
Billy was world class, the height of his skills, a one two there….pirouetting like a ballydancer here and there, his long legs on a short body controlling the game with Johnny Giles.
Has that game been the best performance by that team?
I beg to differ…the best game I saw was a midweek game v WBA…not on tv and not publicised as much as the Southampton game, a 5 nil pasting for WBA, if my memory is correct Eddie Gray scored 2, one a header.
The precision passing was fantastic that night, the crowd never stopped applauding…it was quite breath taking the passing and movement.
I spoke to many a spectator about that game many years after and they all agreed that from a football purist pov that was just about the best Leeds have ever played!
It’s a toss up for me which was the best game to have watched, the Southampton game, well publicised on Match of the Day…or the less publicised WBA midweek evening match?
The WBA match shades it for me!
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Is this the one you mean, NJS?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf0aIQM7AA0
posted on 12/9/24
comment by The heart of Farkeness (U19827)
posted 8 hours, 5 minutes ago
comment by NJS (U8272)
posted 2 days, 10 hours ago
I watched that game on a sunny Saturday afternoon, a classic Leeds victory in ancient times…what can you say that hasn’t already been said.
Billy was world class, the height of his skills, a one two there….pirouetting like a ballydancer here and there, his long legs on a short body controlling the game with Johnny Giles.
Has that game been the best performance by that team?
I beg to differ…the best game I saw was a midweek game v WBA…not on tv and not publicised as much as the Southampton game, a 5 nil pasting for WBA, if my memory is correct Eddie Gray scored 2, one a header.
The precision passing was fantastic that night, the crowd never stopped applauding…it was quite breath taking the passing and movement.
I spoke to many a spectator about that game many years after and they all agreed that from a football purist pov that was just about the best Leeds have ever played!
It’s a toss up for me which was the best game to have watched, the Southampton game, well publicised on Match of the Day…or the less publicised WBA midweek evening match?
The WBA match shades it for me!
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Is this the one you mean, NJS?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf0aIQM7AA0
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Hello. THF…
Enjoyed that YouTube watch always great to watch Leeds winning!
No the game I was referring to was played Tuesday evening 1969/70 season, 5 — 1
That game you showed looked as though it was played in the daytime, probably Saturday, nevertheless thanks for sharing that match on YouTube.
Of course the infamous match at Elland road when that WBA goal was allowed to stand which meant Leeds missing out on being Champions….two games that were unforgettable for very different reasons.
Was that WBA goal offside, lots of different opinions on that…you need to dig that one out of the archives?
posted on 12/9/24
Ps…one wonders what VAR would have made of that, onside or offside?
posted on 12/9/24
I take it you didn't send Ray Tinkler a Christmas card, then?
posted on 13/9/24
God we were so good...