The 1926-27 season was one of high drama and intense competition for Leeds United, as the team faced a turbulent period marked by a challenging relegation battle and the emergence of a new attacking star. After narrowly avoiding relegation the previous season, Leeds United entered the new campaign with a mix of hope and trepidation. Manager Arthur Fairclough’s efforts to strengthen the squad were hampered by limited resources, resulting in just one new arrival: full-back David Robinson from Solway Star. Unfortunately, Robinson’s impact was minimal, and his signing did little to bolster the squad’s fortunes.
Departures and Defensive Struggles
The summer of 1926 saw several players leave the club, including Cuthbert Robson, John Martin, Len Smith, Tom Duxbury, David Russell, and Wilf Chadwick. However, the most significant departure was that of Jim Baker, a stalwart in Leeds’ defense who moved to Nelson Town after making 200 league appearances for the club. Baker’s commanding presence and defensive reliability were hard to replace, and his exit left a noticeable void in Leeds’ backline.
The 1926-27 season was also marked by a key change in football laws: the offside rule was adjusted, reducing the number of defenders required between the attacker and the goal from three to two. This modification led to a surge in goals across the league, as defences struggled to adapt to the new regulations. Leeds United was no exception, and their defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare as they contended with the new offside laws.
Attack: The Rise of Tom Jennings
Despite their defensive frailties, Leeds United found solace in their attacking prowess, largely thanks to the remarkable performances of Tom Jennings. Jennings, a prolific striker, had already set the United scoring record the previous season with 26 goals. In the 1926-27 campaign, he took his goal-scoring to unprecedented levels, netting an astonishing 35 league goals. His form not only surpassed the scoring records of Leeds’ previous top scorers but also made him one of the most formidable forwards in the league.
Jennings’ goal-scoring feats were complemented by his contributions in the Cup, where he added two more goals. His outstanding performance was a beacon of hope for Leeds United amid a season of struggle. His prolific scoring helped keep the team competitive, even as they grappled with inconsistent performances and defensive issues.
Relegation Battle and Final Standings
The season’s struggles culminated in a relegation battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Leeds United fought valiantly but ultimately fell short of securing safety, finishing the season in a precarious position. Despite their best efforts and the dazzling performances of Jennings, Leeds United was relegated to the Second Division.
The 1926-27 season was thus a period of significant transition and challenge for Leeds United. The team faced a difficult season marked by defensive problems, key departures, and the struggle to adapt to new rules. Yet, amidst the adversity, Tom Jennings emerged as a shining star, providing a glimmer of hope and showcasing his extraordinary talent.
As Leeds United looked to regroup and rebuild for the future, the season served as a reminder of the club’s resilience and the importance of strong defensive foundations alongside dynamic attacking play.
First Division
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United | 42 | 25 | 6 | 11 | 96 | 58 | 1.655 | 56 | |
| 2 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 76 | 60 | 1.267 | 51 | |
| 3 | Sunderland | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 98 | 70 | 1.400 | 49 | |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 84 | 62 | 1.355 | 48 | |
| 5 | Burnley | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 91 | 80 | 1.138 | 47 | |
| 6 | West Ham United | 42 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 86 | 70 | 1.229 | 46 | |
| 7 | Leicester City | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 85 | 70 | 1.214 | 46 | |
| 8 | Sheffield United | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 74 | 86 | 0.860 | 44 | |
| 9 | Liverpool | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 69 | 61 | 1.131 | 43 | |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 81 | 83 | 0.976 | 43 | |
| 11 | Arsenal | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 77 | 86 | 0.895 | 43 | |
| 12 | Derby County | 42 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 86 | 73 | 1.178 | 41 | |
| 13 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 76 | 78 | 0.974 | 41 | |
| 14 | Cardiff City | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 55 | 65 | 0.846 | 41 | |
| 15 | Manchester United | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 52 | 64 | 0.813 | 40 | |
| 16 | The Wednesday | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 75 | 92 | 0.815 | 39 | |
| 17 | Birmingham | 42 | 17 | 4 | 21 | 64 | 73 | 0.877 | 38 | |
| 18 | Blackburn Rovers | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 77 | 96 | 0.802 | 38 | |
| 19 | Bury | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 68 | 77 | 0.883 | 36 | |
| 20 | Everton | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 64 | 90 | 0.711 | 34 | |
| 21 | Leeds United | 42 | 11 | 8 | 23 | 69 | 88 | 0.784 | 30 | |
| 22 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 11 | 8 | 23 | 65 | 86 | 0.756 | 30 |
Leeds United 1926-27 Fixtures
| Date | Match | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 1926 | Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers | L | 2-5 | League Division One |
| 30 Aug 1926 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
| 04 Sep 1926 | Manchester United v Leeds United | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 06 Sep 1926 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | L | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 11 Sep 1926 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 15 Sep 1926 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | W | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 18 Sep 1926 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 25 Sep 1926 | Leeds United v Arsenal | W | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 02 Oct 1926 | Liverpool v Leeds United | W | 2-4 | League Division One |
| 09 Oct 1926 | Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers | W | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 16 Oct 1926 | Leicester City v Leeds United | L | 3-2 | League Division One |
| 23 Oct 1926 | Leeds United v Everton | L | 1-3 | League Division One |
| 30 Oct 1926 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | L | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 06 Nov 1926 | Leeds United v Sunderland | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 13 Nov 1926 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | W | 2-4 | League Division One |
| 20 Nov 1926 | Leeds United v Bury | W | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 27 Nov 1926 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 04 Dec 1926 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 11 Dec 1926 | West Ham United v Leeds United | L | 3-2 | League Division One |
| 18 Dec 1926 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 27 Dec 1926 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | L | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 28 Dec 1926 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 5-1 | League Division One |
| 01 Jan 1927 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 08 Jan 1927 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 3-2 | FA Cup |
| 15 Jan 1927 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 22 Jan 1927 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 2-3 | League Division One |
| 29 Jan 1927 | Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers | D | 0-0 | FA Cup |
| 02 Feb 1927 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 3-0 | FA Cup |
| 05 Feb 1927 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 12 Feb 1927 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 19 Feb 1927 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 23 Feb 1927 | Leeds United v Liverpool | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
| 26 Feb 1927 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | L | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 05 Mar 1927 | Leeds United v Leicester City | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 12 Mar 1927 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 19 Mar 1927 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 26 Mar 1927 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 6-2 | League Division One |
| 02 Apr 1927 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | W | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 09 Apr 1927 | Bury v Leeds United | L | 4-2 | League Division One |
| 15 Apr 1927 | Burnley v Leeds United | L | 3-2 | League Division One |
| 16 Apr 1927 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 19 Apr 1927 | Leeds United v Burnley | L | 0-2 | League Division One |
| 23 Apr 1927 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | L | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 30 Apr 1927 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 6-3 | League Division One |
| 07 May 1927 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | League Division One |
