Leeds United’s 1933-34 season marked a year of stability following their impressive performance in the 1932-33 campaign, where they finished in 8th place in the First Division. Despite a promising start, the team concluded the season in a steady 9th place, reflecting a season of consistency rather than dramatic success.
Pre-Season Overview
Squad Adjustments and Transfers
After a mixed finish to the previous season, where Leeds United’s form dipped in the latter half, manager Dick Ray chose to keep his squad largely intact. During the summer, Ray focused on bolstering the team with young talent rather than major changes. He secured three promising players from junior football:
- Mick Kelly (Forward)
- Charlie Turner (Centre-Half)
- Bert Sproston (Right-Back)
Bert Sproston, a 17-year-old from Sandbach, would later gain recognition by playing for England. His debut came just before Christmas 1933.
The only notable departure was Bill Menzies, who moved to Goole Town in September after a long tenure with Leeds. Menzies, having fallen out of favor and with over 30 years of age, left the club after nearly 250 appearances.
Season Performance
Consistency in the Squad
Leeds United’s performance throughout the 1933-34 season was characterized by consistency. Key players such as goalkeeper Stan Moore, who had replaced Jimmy Potts in March, and defenders George Milburn, Jack Milburn, Wilf Copping, Billy Furness, and Tom Cochrane missed just twelve games collectively throughout the season.
Ernie Hart’s Challenges
One of the season’s notable storylines was the situation surrounding Ernie Hart. Hart faced disciplinary issues early in the season, missing the first five games due to a suspension for swearing at the referee during the West Riding Senior Cup Final against Huddersfield in April 1933. His suspension also led to his exclusion from an England tour to Italy and Switzerland in May.
Despite these setbacks, Hart achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 400 league appearances for Leeds United on New Year’s Day 1934, even though the team lost 2-1 at Middlesbrough. He had long since surpassed the previous appearance record of 203 set by full-back Bert Duffield in 1925.
Key Takeaways
- Stable Performance: Leeds United’s 1933-34 season was marked by stability, with a consistent squad and steady performance throughout the league.
- Youth Integration: The integration of young talents like Bert Sproston highlighted the club’s focus on nurturing future stars.
- Ernie Hart’s Milestone: Despite off-field issues, Hart’s achievements underscored his importance and longevity with the club.
Conclusion
The 1933-34 season for Leeds United was one of consolidation and gradual progress. While the team did not replicate the highs of the previous season, their consistent performance and the integration of young players set the stage for future growth. The stability in the squad and significant milestones like Ernie Hart’s 400th league appearance were key highlights of a season that, while quieter, was foundational for the club’s continued evolution.
Standings 1933-34 – Division 1 – English Football
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 42 | 25 | 9 | 8 | 75 | 47 | 1.596 | 59 | |
| 2 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 23 | 10 | 9 | 90 | 61 | 1.475 | 56 | |
| 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 79 | 56 | 1.411 | 49 | |
| 4 | Derby County | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 68 | 54 | 1.259 | 45 | |
| 5 | Manchester City | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 65 | 72 | 0.903 | 45 | |
| 6 | Sunderland | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 81 | 56 | 1.446 | 44 | |
| 7 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 78 | 70 | 1.114 | 44 | |
| 8 | Blackburn Rovers | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 74 | 81 | 0.914 | 43 | |
| 9 | Leeds United | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 75 | 66 | 1.136 | 42 | |
| 10 | Portsmouth | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 52 | 55 | 0.945 | 42 | |
| 11 | Sheffield Wednesday | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 62 | 67 | 0.925 | 41 | |
| 12 | Stoke City | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 58 | 71 | 0.817 | 41 | |
| 13 | Aston Villa | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 78 | 75 | 1.040 | 40 | |
| 14 | Everton | 42 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 62 | 63 | 0.984 | 40 | |
| 15 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 74 | 86 | 0.860 | 40 | |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 68 | 80 | 0.850 | 39 | |
| 17 | Leicester City | 42 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 59 | 74 | 0.797 | 39 | |
| 18 | Liverpool | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 79 | 87 | 0.908 | 38 | |
| 19 | Chelsea | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 67 | 69 | 0.971 | 36 | |
| 20 | Birmingham | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 54 | 56 | 0.964 | 36 | |
| 21 | Newcastle United | 42 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 68 | 77 | 0.883 | 34 | Relegated to the Second Division |
| 22 | Sheffield United | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 58 | 101 | 0.574 | 31 |
Leeds United 1933-34 Fixtures & Results
| Date | Match | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Aug 1933 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | L | 4-2 | League Division One |
| 28 Aug 1933 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | W | 5-2 | League Division One |
| 02 Sep 1933 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | W | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 09 Sep 1933 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
| 16 Sep 1933 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 23 Sep 1933 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | W | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 30 Sep 1933 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 4-0 | League Division One |
| 07 Oct 1933 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 14 Oct 1933 | Manchester City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 21 Oct 1933 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 28 Oct 1933 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 4-2 | League Division One |
| 04 Nov 1933 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | L | 2-4 | League Division One |
| 11 Nov 1933 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 4-3 | League Division One |
| 18 Nov 1933 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
| 25 Nov 1933 | Leicester City v Leeds United | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 02 Dec 1933 | Leeds United v Stoke City | W | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 09 Dec 1933 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 16 Dec 1933 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | D | 3-3 | League Division One |
| 23 Dec 1933 | Chelsea v Leeds United | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 25 Dec 1933 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 26 Dec 1933 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 30 Dec 1933 | Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers | W | 4-0 | League Division One |
| 01 Jan 1934 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 06 Jan 1934 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 13 Jan 1934 | Leeds United v Preston North End | L | 0-1 | FA Cup |
| 20 Jan 1934 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 31 Jan 1934 | Leeds United v Derby County | L | 0-2 | League Division One |
| 03 Feb 1934 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | W | 0-3 | League Division One |
| 10 Feb 1934 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 24 Feb 1934 | Leeds United v Manchester City | W | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 26 Feb 1934 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | W | 0-2 | League Division One |
| 07 Mar 1934 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 10 Mar 1934 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 24 Mar 1934 | Leeds United v Liverpool | W | 5-1 | League Division One |
| 30 Mar 1934 | Leeds United v Everton | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 31 Mar 1934 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | L | 5-1 | League Division One |
| 02 Apr 1934 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 07 Apr 1934 | Leeds United v Leicester City | W | 8-0 | League Division One |
| 14 Apr 1934 | Stoke City v Leeds United | W | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 21 Apr 1934 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 28 Apr 1934 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 30 Apr 1934 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 05 May 1934 | Leeds United v Chelsea | W | 3-1 | League Division One |
