The 1962-63 season marked a pivotal moment for Leeds United as they experienced a significant upswing in their fortunes, finishing in 5th place in the Second Division. This marked their highest league finish in several years and offered a glimmer of hope for a bright future. The standout performer of the season was Jim Storrie, who emerged as the club’s top scorer with an impressive 27 goals.
A Challenging Start to the Season
As September 1962 rolled in, Leeds United found themselves in a precarious position. Despite breaking their transfer record to re-sign Welsh striker John Charles, the team struggled to find their rhythm. Charles, once a prolific goal-scorer, had yet to rediscover his form, and the team’s performances fell short of expectations.
Manager Don Revie, known for his tactical acumen, was disheartened by the team’s inconsistent performances. A particularly humiliating defeat at home to Bury forced Revie to rethink his strategy. In a dramatic move, he dropped key players Tommy Younger and Grenville Hair for the trip to Swansea on September 8. He also made Cliff Mason the team’s third captain of the season. Revie’s most radical decision was to introduce four teenagers into the starting lineup: goalkeeper Gary Sprake, right-back Paul Reaney, left-half Norman Hunter, and centre-forward Rodney Johnson, who replaced the struggling Charles.
Youthful Revival and Tactical Shifts
The decision to field so many young players could have backfired, but it paid off handsomely. Leeds United secured a surprising 2-0 victory over Swansea, with Johnson and Billy Bremner scoring the goals. This match was notable not just for the result but for the new-found dynamism and flair the young players brought to the team. The Yorkshire Post praised the performance, highlighting the energetic and precise play of Bremner and Collins as a significant improvement.
Revie’s gamble with youth rejuvenated the team’s spirit and performance levels. With Charles back in the lineup for the subsequent match against Chelsea, Leeds United faced a tough challenge. Chelsea, under the management of Tommy Docherty, were a formidable force and favorites for promotion. Despite this, Leeds United approached the game with newfound confidence.
Setbacks and Future Prospects
Unfortunately, Leeds United’s optimism was short-lived. In a challenging match at Elland Road, where Chelsea were a dominant force, Leeds’ hopes were dashed early on. A goal by Bobby Collins was disallowed for offside, and the situation worsened when right-half Eric Smith suffered a severe injury after a clash with Chelsea’s Moore. Smith’s broken leg ended his season and curtailed his Leeds United career, leaving a significant gap in the squad.
Conclusion: A Season of Promise
Despite the setbacks and injuries, the 1962-63 season was a turning point for Leeds United. The introduction of young talents and the impressive goal-scoring form of Jim Storrie were bright spots in a season that hinted at better times ahead. Finishing 5th in the Second Division was a commendable achievement and laid the groundwork for future success.
This season demonstrated the resilience of Leeds United and the potential within their ranks, setting the stage for a hopeful and ambitious future as they looked to build on their newfound momentum.
Standings 1962-63
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stoke City | 42 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 73 | 50 | 1.460 | 53 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 42 | 24 | 4 | 14 | 81 | 42 | 1.929 | 52 |
| 3 | Sunderland | 42 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 84 | 55 | 1.527 | 52 |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 86 | 85 | 1.012 | 49 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 79 | 53 | 1.491 | 48 |
| 6 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 63 | 50 | 1.260 | 48 |
| 7 | Newcastle United | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 79 | 59 | 1.339 | 47 |
| 8 | Bury | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 51 | 47 | 1.085 | 47 |
| 9 | Scunthorpe United | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 57 | 59 | 0.966 | 44 |
| 10 | Cardiff City | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 83 | 73 | 1.137 | 43 |
| 11 | Southampton | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 72 | 67 | 1.075 | 42 |
| 12 | Plymouth Argyle | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 76 | 73 | 1.041 | 42 |
| 13 | Norwich City | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 80 | 79 | 1.013 | 42 |
| 14 | Rotherham United | 42 | 17 | 6 | 19 | 67 | 74 | 0.905 | 40 |
| 15 | Swansea Town | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 51 | 72 | 0.708 | 39 |
| 16 | Portsmouth | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 63 | 79 | 0.797 | 37 |
| 17 | Preston North End | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 59 | 74 | 0.797 | 37 |
| 18 | Derby County | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 61 | 72 | 0.847 | 36 |
| 19 | Grimsby Town | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 55 | 66 | 0.833 | 35 |
| 20 | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 13 | 5 | 24 | 62 | 94 | 0.660 | 31 |
| 21 | Walsall | 42 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 53 | 89 | 0.596 | 31 |
Leeds United 1962-63 Fixtures and Results
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Aug 1962 | Stoke City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| 22 Aug 1962 | Leeds United v Rotherham United | L | 3-4 |
| 25 Aug 1962 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 1-0 |
| 28 Aug 1962 | Rotherham United v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 01 Sep 1962 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 05 Sep 1962 | Leeds United v Bury | L | 1-2 |
| 08 Sep 1962 | Swansea Town v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| 15 Sep 1962 | Leeds United v Chelsea | W | 2-0 |
| 18 Sep 1962 | Bury v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 22 Sep 1962 | Luton Town v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| 26 Sep 1962 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | W | 2-1 |
| 29 Sep 1962 | Leeds United v Southampton | D | 1-1 |
| 06 Oct 1962 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | L | 2-3 |
| 13 Oct 1962 | Derby County v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| 17 Oct 1962 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | L | 4-0 |
| 20 Oct 1962 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | W | 1-0 |
| 27 Oct 1962 | Walsall v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 03 Nov 1962 | Leeds United v Norwich City | W | 3-0 |
| 10 Nov 1962 | Grimsby Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 17 Nov 1962 | Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle | W | 6-1 |
| 24 Nov 1962 | Preston North End v Leeds United | L | 4-1 |
| 01 Dec 1962 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | D | 3-3 |
| 08 Dec 1962 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| 15 Dec 1962 | Leeds United v Stoke City | W | 3-1 |
| 22 Dec 1962 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 02 Mar 1963 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 3-1 |
| 06 Mar 1963 | Leeds United v Stoke City | W | 3-1 |
| 09 Mar 1963 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| 13 Mar 1963 | Leeds United v Walsall | W | 3-0 |
| 16 Mar 1963 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| 19 Mar 1963 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| 23 Mar 1963 | Norwich City v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| 30 Mar 1963 | Leeds United v Grimsby Town | W | 3-0 |
| 03 Apr 1963 | Leeds United v Scunthorpe United | W | 1-0 |
| 06 Apr 1963 | Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 13 Apr 1963 | Leeds United v Preston North End | W | 4-1 |
| 15 Apr 1963 | Charlton Athletic v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| 16 Apr 1963 | Leeds United v Charlton Athletic | W | 4-1 |
| 20 Apr 1963 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| 23 Apr 1963 | Scunthorpe United v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| 27 Apr 1963 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | W | 3-0 |
| 30 Apr 1963 | Chelsea v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| 04 May 1963 | Leeds United v Luton Town | W | 3-0 |
| 06 May 1963 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| 11 May 1963 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | L | 0-1 |
| 15 May 1963 | Southampton v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| 18 May 1963 | Leeds United v Swansea Town | W | 5-0 |
