The summer of 1956 brought a wave of optimism and excitement to Leeds United and their supporters. With a dynamic young manager in Raich Carter, the most sought-after talent in British football, John Charles, and a promising squad, the team was ready to make a significant impact in the First Division. This season marked Leeds United’s long-awaited return to the top flight of English football, a division they had been absent from since 1947.
A Resounding Return to the First Division
The 1955-56 season had been a turning point for Leeds United, culminating in their promotion back to the First Division. The team finished as runners-up in the Second Division behind Sheffield Wednesday, with a spectacular end to the season where they won eight of their last nine games. John Charles was instrumental in this success, scoring an impressive 38 goals throughout the season. His outstanding performance, along with the support of veteran Harold Brook and robust forward Albert Nightingale, had been crucial in securing promotion.
Consistent Defensive Backbone
Manager Raich Carter maintained a solid defensive setup throughout the season. Goalkeeper Roy Wood, full-backs Jimmy Dunn and Grenville Hair, along with the half-back trio of Archie Gibson, Jack Charlton, and Eric Kerfoot, provided a reliable defensive foundation. Gibson’s return to form after an injury in December 1955 was pivotal, and the defensive unit was remarkably consistent, missing only nine matches collectively.
A Promising Start to the New Campaign
The anticipation was high as Leeds United kicked off their First Division campaign against Everton at Elland Road. A crowd of 31,379 spectators watched as Leeds United made an explosive start with a 5-1 victory. John Charles and Harold Brook were standout performers, with Brook scoring a hat-trick and Charles and Jack Overfield contributing to the scoreline. The dominant performance demonstrated that Leeds United was ready to face the challenges of the top flight.
A Setback and a Resilient Response
The excitement of the opening win was tempered by a serious setback when Albert Nightingale suffered a knee injury that ended his career. Nightingale had been a crucial part of the team, scoring 48 goals in 130 appearances for Leeds. Despite this loss, Leeds United’s spirit and momentum remained strong. John Charles continued to shine, scoring twice in a mid-week match against Charlton, briefly putting Leeds at the top of the league table.
Navigating the Ups and Downs
Leeds United faced challenges during the season, including a heavy 5-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. This raised concerns about their ability to sustain their form. However, the team bounced back with a commanding 4-0 victory over Charlton in a return match. Despite a 0-0 draw against Chelsea and a narrow defeat to Manchester City, Leeds United’s performance remained impressive. They continued to perform strongly throughout the season, maintaining a top position in the league.
John Charles: A Legendary Performance
John Charles was undoubtedly the star of the season, adapting effortlessly to the demands of the First Division. His incredible goal-scoring ability was highlighted by his 38 goals in the campaign. Charles’ performances were pivotal to Leeds United’s strong showing throughout the season, and his presence on the field solidified his status as a football legend.
Conclusion
Leeds United’s 1956-57 season was a remarkable one, marked by a successful return to the First Division and an impressive eighth-place finish. The season showcased the club’s resilience and ability to compete at the highest level. The combination of a talented squad, featuring the legendary John Charles, and the strategic acumen of manager Raich Carter, laid the groundwork for future success. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Leeds United proved themselves as a formidable force in English football, securing their place in the top tier and building a foundation for continued achievement.
First Division of English Football Standings 1956-57
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 42 | 28 | 8 | 6 | 103 | 54 | 1.907 | 64 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 22 | 12 | 8 | 104 | 56 | 1.857 | 56 |
| 3 | Preston North End | 42 | 23 | 10 | 9 | 84 | 56 | 1.500 | 56 |
| 4 | Blackpool | 42 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 93 | 65 | 1.431 | 53 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 42 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 85 | 69 | 1.232 | 50 |
| 6 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 94 | 70 | 1.343 | 48 |
| 7 | Burnley | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 56 | 50 | 1.120 | 46 |
| 8 | Leeds United | 42 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 72 | 63 | 1.143 | 44 |
| 9 | Bolton Wanderers | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 65 | 65 | 1.000 | 44 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 42 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 65 | 55 | 1.182 | 43 |
| 11 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 59 | 61 | 0.967 | 42 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 69 | 69 | 1.000 | 39 |
| 13 | Chelsea | 42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 73 | 73 | 1.000 | 39 |
| 14 | Sheffield Wednesday | 42 | 16 | 6 | 20 | 82 | 88 | 0.932 | 38 |
| 15 | Everton | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 61 | 79 | 0.772 | 38 |
| 16 | Luton Town | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 58 | 76 | 0.763 | 37 |
| 17 | Newcastle United | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 67 | 87 | 0.770 | 36 |
| 18 | Manchester City | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 78 | 88 | 0.886 | 35 |
| 19 | Portsmouth | 42 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 62 | 92 | 0.674 | 33 |
| 20 | Sunderland | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 67 | 88 | 0.761 | 32 |
| 21 | Cardiff City | 42 | 10 | 9 | 23 | 53 | 88 | 0.602 | 29 |
| 22 | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 9 | 4 | 29 | 62 | 120 | 0.517 | 22 |
Leeds United Fixtures and Results 1956-57
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Aug 1956 | Leeds United v Everton | W | 5-1 |
| 23 Aug 1956 | Charlton Athletic v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 25 Aug 1956 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | L | 5-1 |
| 29 Aug 1956 | Leeds United v Charlton Athletic | W | 4-0 |
| 01 Sep 1956 | Leeds United v Chelsea | D | 0-0 |
| 05 Sep 1956 | Manchester City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| 08 Sep 1956 | Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers | W | 3-2 |
| 12 Sep 1956 | Leeds United v Manchester City | W | 2-0 |
| 15 Sep 1956 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 22 Sep 1956 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | W | 1-0 |
| 29 Sep 1956 | Luton Town v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| 06 Oct 1956 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | L | 4-1 |
| 13 Oct 1956 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | D | 1-1 |
| 20 Oct 1956 | Burnley v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| 27 Oct 1956 | Leeds United v Preston North End | L | 1-2 |
| 03 Nov 1956 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 10 Nov 1956 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 3-1 |
| 17 Nov 1956 | Manchester United v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 24 Nov 1956 | Leeds United v Arsenal | D | 3-3 |
| 01 Dec 1956 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| 08 Dec 1956 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | W | 4-1 |
| 15 Dec 1956 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 25 Dec 1956 | Blackpool v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 26 Dec 1956 | Leeds United v Blackpool | W | 5-0 |
| 29 Dec 1956 | Chelsea v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 05 Jan 1957 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | L | 1-2 |
| 12 Jan 1957 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 5-3 |
| 19 Jan 1957 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | D | 0-0 |
| 02 Feb 1957 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 09 Feb 1957 | Leeds United v Luton Town | L | 1-2 |
| 16 Feb 1957 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | W | 3-0 |
| 23 Feb 1957 | Preston North End v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| 02 Mar 1957 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 1-1 |
| 09 Mar 1957 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | W | 2-5 |
| 11 Mar 1957 | Leeds United v Burnley | D | 1-1 |
| 16 Mar 1957 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | D | 0-0 |
| 26 Mar 1957 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 30 Mar 1957 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 1-2 |
| 06 Apr 1957 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| 13 Apr 1957 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | D | 0-0 |
| 19 Apr 1957 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 20 Apr 1957 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 6-2 |
| 22 Apr 1957 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 3-1 |
