The 1954-55 season was a notable chapter in Leeds United’s history. Under the management of Raich Carter, the team showcased a strong performance, finishing in 4th place in the Second Division. With 53 points accumulated throughout the season, Leeds United came remarkably close to promotion to the top tier, missing out by just one point. This season marked one of their closest attempts at promotion in years, reflecting the club’s competitive edge and resilience.
Harold Brook’s Impact
One of the standout performers of the season was Harold Brook, who made a significant impact after joining Leeds United. Signed from Sheffield United for £600, Brook, at the age of 32, was considered past his prime by many. However, he defied expectations with his exceptional goal-scoring ability. Brook emerged as the club’s top scorer for the season, proving to be a valuable asset for Leeds United and contributing substantially to their impressive performance.
The Legacy of John Charles
The previous season, 1953-54, had been unforgettable for Leeds United, primarily due to John Charles’s remarkable achievements. Charles had set a club record by scoring 42 league goals, a feat that highlighted his extraordinary talent. Despite his success, Charles was eager to experience First Division football, leading to a significant transfer saga. However, the Leeds United board, led by Chairman Sam Bolton, made it clear that selling their star player was not an option if they were to achieve their goal of promotion.
Strategic Changes and Squad Adjustments
Raich Carter made strategic adjustments to the squad during the 1954 summer. While he did not overhaul the team, Carter’s decisions were crucial. Notably, he allowed Eddie Burbanks to retire at the age of 41 and sold Jim McCabe and Arthur Tyrer. The key signing was Harold Brook, who, despite his age, brought considerable experience and skill to the squad. This blend of new talent and retained core players was instrumental in the team’s strong showing throughout the season.
Conclusion
The 1954-55 season was a testament to Leeds United’s potential and ambition. Although they fell just short of promotion, the team’s performance, driven by significant contributions from players like Harold Brook, and the strategic management of Raich Carter, laid a solid foundation for future success. The season remains a memorable chapter in Leeds United’s history, reflecting their near-miss in reaching the First Division and setting the stage for subsequent achievements.
Second Division Standings: English Football
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham City | 42 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 92 | 47 | 1.957 | 54 |
| 2 | Luton Town | 42 | 23 | 8 | 11 | 88 | 53 | 1.660 | 54 |
| 3 | Rotherham United | 42 | 25 | 4 | 13 | 94 | 64 | 1.469 | 54 |
| 4 | Leeds United | 42 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 70 | 53 | 1.321 | 53 |
| 5 | Stoke City | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 69 | 46 | 1.500 | 52 |
| 6 | Blackburn Rovers | 42 | 22 | 6 | 14 | 114 | 79 | 1.443 | 50 |
| 7 | Notts County | 42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 74 | 71 | 1.042 | 48 |
| 8 | West Ham United | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 74 | 70 | 1.057 | 46 |
| 9 | Bristol Rovers | 42 | 19 | 7 | 16 | 75 | 70 | 1.071 | 45 |
| 10 | Swansea Town | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 86 | 83 | 1.036 | 43 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 92 | 96 | 0.958 | 42 |
| 12 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 18 | 6 | 18 | 73 | 82 | 0.890 | 42 |
| 13 | Bury | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 77 | 72 | 1.069 | 41 |
| 14 | Fulham | 42 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 76 | 79 | 0.962 | 39 |
| 15 | Nottingham Forest | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 58 | 62 | 0.935 | 39 |
| 16 | Lincoln City | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 68 | 79 | 0.861 | 36 |
| 17 | Port Vale | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 48 | 71 | 0.676 | 35 |
| 18 | Doncaster Rovers | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 58 | 95 | 0.611 | 35 |
| 19 | Hull City | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 44 | 69 | 0.638 | 34 |
| 20 | Plymouth Argyle | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 57 | 82 | 0.695 | 31 |
| 21 | Ipswich Town | 42 | 11 | 6 | 25 | 57 | 92 | 0.620 | 28 |
| 22 | Derby County | 42 | 7 | 9 | 26 | 53 | 82 | 0.646 | 23 |
Leeds United Fixtures and Results 1954-55 Season
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Aug 1954 | Hull City v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| 25 Aug 1954 | Leeds United v Rotherham United | L | 2-4 |
| 28 Aug 1954 | Leeds United v Lincoln City | L | 2-3 |
| 30 Aug 1954 | Rotherham United v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| 04 Sep 1954 | Bury v Leeds United | L | 5-3 |
| 08 Sep 1954 | Leeds United v Stoke City | L | 0-1 |
| 11 Sep 1954 | Leeds United v Swansea Town | W | 5-2 |
| 13 Sep 1954 | Stoke City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 18 Sep 1954 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | D | 1-1 |
| 25 Sep 1954 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 02 Oct 1954 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 1-0 |
| 09 Oct 1954 | Derby County v Leeds United | W | 2-4 |
| 16 Oct 1954 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 2-1 |
| 23 Oct 1954 | Bristol Rovers v Leeds United | L | 5-1 |
| 30 Oct 1954 | Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle | W | 3-2 |
| 06 Nov 1954 | Port Vale v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 13 Nov 1954 | Leeds United v Doncaster Rovers | W | 1-0 |
| 20 Nov 1954 | Notts County v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 27 Nov 1954 | Leeds United v Liverpool | D | 2-2 |
| 04 Dec 1954 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 11 Dec 1954 | Leeds United v Fulham | D | 1-1 |
| 18 Dec 1954 | Leeds United v Hull City | W | 3-0 |
| 25 Dec 1954 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | D | 1-1 |
| 27 Dec 1954 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| 01 Jan 1955 | Lincoln City v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 08 Jan 1955 | Leeds United v Torquay United | D | 2-2 |
| 12 Jan 1955 | Torquay United v Leeds United | L | 4-0 |
| 15 Jan 1955 | Leeds United v Bury | W | 1-0 |
| 22 Jan 1955 | Swansea Town v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 05 Feb 1955 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 12 Feb 1955 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | W | 4-1 |
| 26 Feb 1955 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 1-0 |
| 02 Mar 1955 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 05 Mar 1955 | West Ham United v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 12 Mar 1955 | Leeds United v Bristol Rovers | W | 2-0 |
| 19 Mar 1955 | Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 26 Mar 1955 | Leeds United v Port Vale | W | 3-0 |
| 02 Apr 1955 | Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 08 Apr 1955 | Luton Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| 09 Apr 1955 | Leeds United v Notts County | W | 2-0 |
| 11 Apr 1955 | Leeds United v Luton Town | W | 4-0 |
| 16 Apr 1955 | Liverpool v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| 23 Apr 1955 | Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers | W | 2-0 |
| 30 Apr 1955 | Fulham v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
