A Tough Start After Relegation
Relegation from the First Division is always a heavy blow for any football club. For Leeds United, the 1959-60 season ended in disappointment as they dropped to the Second Division. Manager Jack Taylor, who had taken over at Elland Road just a year before, faced the daunting task of rebuilding a team capable of bouncing back. Taylor’s initial response was to shake up the squad drastically, in the hope of rejuvenating the team’s fortunes.
Youth Development and Recruitment
Taylor inherited a youth development policy from his predecessor, Bill Lambton, which had started to yield promising young talent. By the start of the 1960-61 season, nearly 50 local youths had been signed as amateurs. Although these youngsters were still a few years away from being ready for first-team action, the investment in youth was seen as a positive step for the future.
Major Squad Changes
Key Departures
Taylor’s efforts to revamp the squad saw several significant departures. Exciting young winger Chris Crowe was sold to Blackburn Rovers in March for £25,000, a move that was expected to provide some financial relief. Other notable exits before the new season included Wilbur Cush, Archie Gibson, George Meek, and Jack Overfield. These moves were part of Taylor’s strategy to clear out older, less effective players and make room for new talent.
Incomings and Financial Struggles
The funds from Crowe’s sale were used to purchase Manchester United defender Freddie Goodwin. While Goodwin provided some stability at the back, the overall squad overhaul was insufficient to address all the team’s needs. Financial constraints also hampered Taylor’s ability to bring in more experienced players, as the club’s board was reluctant to invest heavily.
Financial and Managerial Challenges
Board Resistance
According to Bagchi and Rogerson in The Unforgiven, Taylor’s request for additional experienced professionals was denied by the club’s board due to financial concerns. The option of selling key players to raise funds was also rejected. Of the remaining squad members with significant value, only a few were considered crucial for the team’s immediate future: Billy Bremner, John McCole, and Jack Charlton. Bremner, at just seventeen, was a rising star; McCole was the top scorer with 23 goals; and Charlton, despite his potential, was not highly sought after due to his inconsistencies.
Jack Charlton’s Uncertain Future
Jack Charlton’s future at Leeds was uncertain. Frustrated with the club’s situation, Charlton expressed a desire to move on. Liverpool, managed by Bill Shankly, showed interest in Charlton, recognizing his potential as a central defender. However, the proposed fee of £20,000 was deemed too high by Liverpool’s board, resulting in the collapse of the deal. This left Charlton feeling unsettled and Leeds United struggling to retain a player who was both valuable and discontented.
The Season’s Performance
A Mid-Table Finish
The 1960-61 season proved challenging for Leeds United. Despite the managerial changes and squad overhauls, the team finished in 14th position in the Second Division. This mid-table finish highlighted the difficulties faced in adapting to life in the second tier and the challenges of rebuilding a competitive team.
John McCole’s Contribution
John McCole emerged as Leeds United’s top scorer for the season, netting 23 goals. His performance was a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign. McCole’s ability to find the back of the net provided some hope for the future, even if it was not enough to secure a higher league position.
Conclusion
The 1960-61 season was a period of transition and challenge for Leeds United. With a squad in flux and financial constraints impacting their ability to strengthen the team, the club faced significant hurdles. The departure of key players, combined with the struggle to secure new talent, made for a testing year. However, the presence of young talents and a few standout performers like John McCole offered a glimmer of hope for the future.
Standings 1960-61 Division 2 English Football
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ipswich Town | 42 | 26 | 7 | 9 | 100 | 55 | 1.818 | 59 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 42 | 26 | 6 | 10 | 81 | 51 | 1.588 | 58 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 87 | 58 | 1.500 | 52 |
| 4 | Norwich City | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 70 | 53 | 1.321 | 49 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 83 | 74 | 1.122 | 48 |
| 6 | Sunderland | 42 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 75 | 60 | 1.250 | 47 |
| 7 | Swansea Town | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 77 | 73 | 1.055 | 47 |
| 8 | Southampton | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 84 | 81 | 1.037 | 44 |
| 9 | Scunthorpe United | 42 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 69 | 64 | 1.078 | 43 |
| 10 | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 97 | 91 | 1.066 | 43 |
| 11 | Plymouth Argyle | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 81 | 82 | 0.988 | 42 |
| 12 | Derby County | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 80 | 80 | 1.000 | 40 |
| 13 | Luton Town | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 71 | 79 | 0.899 | 39 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 75 | 83 | 0.904 | 38 |
| 15 | Rotherham United | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 65 | 64 | 1.016 | 37 |
| 16 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 61 | 75 | 0.813 | 37 |
| 17 | Bristol Rovers | 42 | 15 | 7 | 20 | 73 | 92 | 0.793 | 37 |
| 18 | Stoke City | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 51 | 59 | 0.864 | 36 |
| 19 | Leyton Orient | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 55 | 78 | 0.705 | 36 |
| 20 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 62 | 71 | 0.873 | 35 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 64 | 91 | 0.703 | 33 |
| 22 | Lincoln City | 42 | 8 | 8 | 26 | 48 | 95 | 0.505 | 24 |
Leeds United 1960-61 Fixtures and Results
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug 1960 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 24 Aug 1960 | Leeds United v Bristol Rovers | D | 1-1 |
| 27 Aug 1960 | Leeds United v Rotherham United | W | 2-0 |
| 29 Aug 1960 | Bristol Rovers v Leeds United | D | 4-4 |
| 03 Sep 1960 | Southampton v Leeds United | W | 2-4 |
| 07 Sep 1960 | Leeds United v Leyton Orient | L | 1-3 |
| 10 Sep 1960 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | L | 1-4 |
| 14 Sep 1960 | Leyton Orient v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 17 Sep 1960 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | D | 4-4 |
| 24 Sep 1960 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 28 Sep 1960 | Leeds United v Blackpool | D | 0-0 |
| 01 Oct 1960 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | L | 2-5 |
| 05 Oct 1960 | Blackpool v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
| 08 Oct 1960 | Sunderland v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 15 Oct 1960 | Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle | W | 2-1 |
| 22 Oct 1960 | Norwich City v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 29 Oct 1960 | Leeds United v Charlton Athletic | W | 1-0 |
| 05 Nov 1960 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 12 Nov 1960 | Leeds United v Stoke City | L | 0-1 |
| 19 Nov 1960 | Swansea Town v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 23 Nov 1960 | Chesterfield v Leeds United | W | 0-4 |
| 03 Dec 1960 | Lincoln City v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 05 Dec 1960 | Southampton v Leeds United | L | 6-4 |
| 10 Dec 1960 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | D | 0-0 |
| 17 Dec 1960 | Leeds United v Liverpool | D | 2-2 |
| 24 Dec 1960 | Derby County v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| 27 Dec 1960 | Leeds United v Derby County | D | 3-3 |
| 31 Dec 1960 | Rotherham United v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
| 07 Jan 1961 | Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| 14 Jan 1961 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 3-0 |
| 21 Jan 1961 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 04 Feb 1961 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| 10 Feb 1961 | Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion | W | 3-2 |
| 18 Feb 1961 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | L | 4-0 |
| 25 Feb 1961 | Leeds United v Sunderland | L | 2-4 |
| 04 Mar 1961 | Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 08 Mar 1961 | Leeds United v Luton Town | L | 1-2 |
| 11 Mar 1961 | Leeds United v Norwich City | W | 1-0 |
| 18 Mar 1961 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 25 Mar 1961 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | L | 1-2 |
| 01 Apr 1961 | Luton Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 03 Apr 1961 | Scunthorpe United v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 08 Apr 1961 | Leeds United v Swansea Town | D | 2-2 |
| 15 Apr 1961 | Stoke City v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| 22 Apr 1961 | Leeds United v Lincoln City | W | 7-0 |
| 25 Apr 1961 | Leeds United v Scunthorpe United | D | 2-2 |
| 29 Apr 1961 | Charlton Athletic v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
