The 1958-59 season for Leeds United was marked by a period of transition and a struggle to find stability after a tumultuous few years. Despite the challenges, the team managed to finish in a respectable 15th place in the First Division, which, while not as high as hoped, ensured their continued presence in the top flight of English football.
Post-World Cup Reflections and Club Changes
The summer of 1958 was a time of dramatic change in the world of football, with the World Cup in Sweden captivating audiences with its thrilling matches and the emergence of new talent, including the 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy, Pelé. However, back at Elland Road, Leeds United was facing its own challenges. The excitement and glamour of the World Cup seemed a world away from the struggles of Leeds United.
Leeds United had experienced a turbulent period following the departure of their legendary player, John Charles, and the end of the 1957-58 season, which saw the team finish 17th. With the team no longer under the guidance of Raich Carter, who had been dismissed at the end of the previous campaign, Leeds United found themselves in a period of uncertainty. Carter’s departure, despite his previous success in leading the club to promotion, left the team searching for direction.
Managerial Changes and Team Stability
In the wake of Carter’s dismissal, the search for a new manager proved difficult. Chairman Sam Bolton appointed Bill Lambton as the acting manager. Lambton, who had joined the club as a trainer coach the previous November, lacked managerial experience and was not well-regarded by the players. This led to a season of uncertainty both on and off the pitch, as the team struggled with leadership changes and financial constraints.
Despite these challenges, Leeds United managed to maintain their position in the First Division. The club’s stability was largely due to the performance of their top scorer, Alan Shackleton, who netted 17 goals throughout the season. Shackleton’s contribution was instrumental in keeping Leeds United competitive, even as the club faced difficulties in other areas.
Squad Adjustments and New Signings
The 1958-59 season saw Leeds United make some strategic signings. Scottish centre forward Hughie Baird, who had previously made a name for himself with Airdrie, was brought in and ended the season as the club’s top scorer. Additionally, Irish midfielder Wilbur Cush was signed and took on the role of captain, bringing experience and leadership to the team.
Despite the influx of new talent, the team struggled to reach the heights that had been anticipated. The financial constraints and the loss of key players like John Charles meant that Leeds United had to navigate the season with a sense of cautious optimism rather than ambition.
Conclusion
The 1958-59 season for Leeds United was a year of adjustment and consolidation. The club managed to avoid relegation and maintain their status in the First Division, but the season highlighted the challenges of rebuilding and adjusting to life without a key player like John Charles. With a new manager at the helm and a mix of new signings and existing players, Leeds United faced a period of transition as they looked to stabilize and build for the future.
As the club moved forward, the lessons learned during this challenging season would shape their approach and strategy in the years to come.
1958-59 Standings: English Football
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 28 | 5 | 9 | 110 | 49 | 2.245 | 61 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 103 | 66 | 1.561 | 55 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 42 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 88 | 68 | 1.294 | 50 |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 42 | 20 | 10 | 12 | 79 | 66 | 1.197 | 50 |
| 5 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 88 | 68 | 1.294 | 49 |
| 6 | West Ham United | 42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 85 | 70 | 1.214 | 48 |
| 7 | Burnley | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 81 | 70 | 1.157 | 48 |
| 8 | Blackpool | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 66 | 49 | 1.347 | 47 |
| 9 | Birmingham City | 42 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 84 | 68 | 1.235 | 46 |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 76 | 70 | 1.086 | 44 |
| 11 | Newcastle United | 42 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 80 | 80 | 1.000 | 41 |
| 12 | Preston North End | 42 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 70 | 77 | 0.909 | 41 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 42 | 17 | 6 | 19 | 71 | 74 | 0.959 | 40 |
| 14 | Chelsea | 42 | 18 | 4 | 20 | 77 | 98 | 0.786 | 40 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 57 | 74 | 0.770 | 39 |
| 16 | Everton | 42 | 17 | 4 | 21 | 71 | 87 | 0.816 | 38 |
| 17 | Luton Town | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 68 | 71 | 0.958 | 37 |
| 18 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 85 | 95 | 0.895 | 36 |
| 19 | Leicester City | 42 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 67 | 98 | 0.684 | 32 |
| 20 | Manchester City | 42 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 64 | 95 | 0.674 | 31 |
| 21 | Aston Villa | 42 | 11 | 8 | 23 | 58 | 87 | 0.667 | 30 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | 42 | 6 | 9 | 27 | 64 | 112 | 0.571 | 21 |
Leeds United 1958-59 Fixtures and Results
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 1958 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 4-0 |
| 26 Aug 1958 | Leeds United v Luton Town | D | 1-1 |
| 30 Aug 1958 | Leeds United v Burnley | D | 1-1 |
| 03 Sep 1958 | Luton Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 06 Sep 1958 | Preston North End v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 10 Sep 1958 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | D | 0-0 |
| 13 Sep 1958 | Leeds United v Leicester City | D | 1-1 |
| 17 Sep 1958 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 4-1 |
| 20 Sep 1958 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 27 Sep 1958 | Leeds United v Arsenal | W | 2-1 |
| 04 Oct 1958 | Manchester City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 11 Oct 1958 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 18 Oct 1958 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | D | 0-0 |
| 25 Oct 1958 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 01 Nov 1958 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 1-2 |
| 08 Nov 1958 | Chelsea v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 15 Nov 1958 | Leeds United v Blackpool | D | 1-1 |
| 22 Nov 1958 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | W | 2-4 |
| 29 Nov 1958 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | W | 3-2 |
| 06 Dec 1958 | West Ham United v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 13 Dec 1958 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | W | 1-0 |
| 20 Dec 1958 | Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers | L | 3-4 |
| 26 Dec 1958 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 27 Dec 1958 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | L | 0-1 |
| 03 Jan 1959 | Burnley v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 10 Jan 1959 | Luton Town v Leeds United | L | 5-1 |
| 17 Jan 1959 | Leeds United v Preston North End | L | 1-3 |
| 31 Jan 1959 | Leicester City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 07 Feb 1959 | Leeds United v Everton | W | 1-0 |
| 14 Feb 1959 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 6-2 |
| 21 Feb 1959 | Leeds United v Manchester City | L | 0-4 |
| 24 Feb 1959 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| 28 Feb 1959 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | D | 1-1 |
| 07 Mar 1959 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 14 Mar 1959 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | W | 3-1 |
| 21 Mar 1959 | Manchester United v Leeds United | L | 4-0 |
| 28 Mar 1959 | Leeds United v Chelsea | W | 4-0 |
| 31 Mar 1959 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | L | 1-3 |
| 04 Apr 1959 | Blackpool v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| 11 Apr 1959 | Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers | W | 2-1 |
| 18 Apr 1959 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| 22 Apr 1959 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| 25 Apr 1959 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 1-0 |
