The 1970-71 season was a remarkable yet tumultuous year for Leeds United, as the team demonstrated their strength and resilience, finishing second in the Football League First Division. Despite the ups and downs, they showcased some of the best football in their history.
Strong League Performance
Leeds United entered the season with high hopes, and for much of the campaign, they lived up to expectations. They were at the top of the league for a significant portion of the season, boasting an impressive performance that saw them finish as runners-up. Controversy, however, surrounded their final standings. With just four games remaining, Leeds was two points clear at the top.
Controversial Match Against West Bromwich Albion
A pivotal match against West Bromwich Albion turned the tide for Leeds. During this match, a goal from Mick Jones was disallowed, which ignited frustration among players and fans alike. Later in the game, a situation arose where West Brom’s Tony Brown played the ball despite a raised offside flag, leading to a goal by Jeff Astle that ultimately sealed Leeds’ fate. This incident resulted in an invasion of the pitch by enraged Leeds supporters and manager Don Revie, leading to a severe penalty: Leeds was banned from playing their first five home games of the following season.
Despite these setbacks, Leeds managed to win all their remaining matches, including a crucial victory over rivals Arsenal. Ultimately, they finished just one point behind Arsenal, who claimed the title, marking the second consecutive season Leeds had fallen short in the league.
Top Scorer: Allan Clarke
A standout player for Leeds that season was Allan Clarke, who emerged as the team’s top scorer. He netted an impressive 23 goals across all competitions, showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s attacking prowess.
FA Cup Disappointment
In addition to their league struggles, Leeds faced a shocking exit from the FA Cup in the fifth round. They suffered a 3-2 defeat to Colchester United, a team that was competing in the Fourth Division at the time. This unexpected result was a significant disappointment for the club, which had aimed for a deep run in the competition.
European Triumph: Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Despite the domestic challenges, Leeds found solace in Europe. They once again lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, marking their second consecutive triumph in this prestigious tournament. In the final, they faced Juventus, and with crucial goals from Mick Bates, Paul Madeley, and Allan Clarke, Leeds secured the title over two legs, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in European football.
Conclusion
The 1970-71 season for Leeds United was a mix of heartache and triumph. They proved their mettle in the league and showcased their prowess on the European stage. With a strong squad and talented players like Allan Clarke, the future looked promising for Leeds as they aimed to build on their successes and overcome the challenges that lay ahead.
First Division 1970-71 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 42 | 29 | 7 | 6 | 71 | 29 | 65 |
| 2 | Leeds United | 42 | 27 | 10 | 5 | 72 | 30 | 64 |
| 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 54 | 33 | 52 |
| 4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 64 | 54 | 52 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 42 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 42 | 24 | 51 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 42 | 18 | 15 | 9 | 52 | 42 | 51 |
| 7 | Southampton | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 56 | 44 | 46 |
| 8 | Manchester United | 42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 65 | 66 | 43 |
| 9 | Derby County | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 56 | 54 | 42 |
| 10 | Coventry City | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 37 | 38 | 42 |
| 11 | Manchester City | 42 | 12 | 17 | 13 | 47 | 42 | 41 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 42 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 44 | 46 | 41 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 44 | 48 | 37 |
| 14 | Everton | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 54 | 60 | 37 |
| 15 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 40 | 49 | 36 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 42 | 61 | 36 |
| 17 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 58 | 75 | 35 |
| 18 | Crystal Palace | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 39 | 57 | 35 |
| 19 | Ipswich Town | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 42 | 48 | 34 |
| 20 | West Ham United | 42 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 47 | 60 | 34 |
| 21 | Burnley | 42 | 7 | 13 | 22 | 29 | 63 | 27 |
| 22 | Blackpool | 42 | 4 | 15 | 23 | 34 | 66 | 23 |
Leeds United 1970-71 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Division One | 15 Aug 1970 | Manchester United v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 19 Aug 1970 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Division One | 22 Aug 1970 | Leeds United v Everton | W | 3-2 |
| League Division One | 26 Aug 1970 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 29 Aug 1970 | Burnley v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| League Division One | 01 Sep 1970 | Arsenal v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 05 Sep 1970 | Leeds United v Chelsea | W | 1-0 |
| League Cup | 08 Sep 1970 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 12 Sep 1970 | Stoke City v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 15 Sep 1970 | Sarpsborg FK v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 19 Sep 1970 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 26 Sep 1970 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 29 Sep 1970 | Leeds United v Sarpsborg FK | W | 5-0 |
| League Division One | 03 Oct 1970 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | W | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 10 Oct 1970 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 17 Oct 1970 | Leeds United v Manchester United | D | 2-2 |
| Fairs Cup | 21 Oct 1970 | Leeds United v Dynamo Dresden | W | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 24 Oct 1970 | Derby County v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Division One | 31 Oct 1970 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 2-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 04 Nov 1970 | Dynamo Dresden v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 07 Nov 1970 | Crystal Palace v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 14 Nov 1970 | Leeds United v Blackpool | W | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 18 Nov 1970 | Leeds United v Stoke City | W | 4-1 |
| League Division One | 21 Nov 1970 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| League Division One | 28 Nov 1970 | Leeds United v Manchester City | W | 1-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 02 Dec 1970 | Leeds United v Sparta Praha | W | 6-0 |
| League Division One | 05 Dec 1970 | Liverpool v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| Fairs Cup | 09 Dec 1970 | Sparta Praha v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| League Division One | 12 Dec 1970 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 19 Dec 1970 | Everton v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 26 Dec 1970 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | W | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 09 Jan 1971 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 1-2 |
| FA Cup | 11 Jan 1971 | Rotherham United v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 16 Jan 1971 | West Ham United v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| FA Cup | 18 Jan 1971 | Leeds United v Rotherham United | W | 3-2 |
| FA Cup | 23 Jan 1971 | Leeds United v Swindon Town | W | 4-0 |
| League Division One | 30 Jan 1971 | Manchester City v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Division One | 06 Feb 1971 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 0-1 |
| FA Cup | 13 Feb 1971 | Colchester United v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| League Division One | 20 Feb 1971 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 23 Feb 1971 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | W | 2-4 |
| League Division One | 26 Feb 1971 | Coventry City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 06 Mar 1971 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 1-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 10 Mar 1971 | Leeds United v Vitoria Setubal | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 13 Mar 1971 | Blackpool v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 20 Mar 1971 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | W | 2-1 |
| Fairs Cup | 24 Mar 1971 | Vitoria Setubal v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 27 Mar 1971 | Chelsea v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 03 Apr 1971 | Leeds United v Burnley | W | 4-0 |
| League Division One | 10 Apr 1971 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 12 Apr 1971 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 14 Apr 1971 | Liverpool v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 17 Apr 1971 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | L | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 24 Apr 1971 | Southampton v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| League Division One | 26 Apr 1971 | Leeds United v Arsenal | W | 1-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 28 Apr 1971 | Leeds United v Liverpool | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 01 May 1971 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | W | 2-0 |
| Fairs Cup | 28 May 1971 | Juventus v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| Fairs Cup | 03 Jun 1971 | Leeds United v Juventus | D | 1-1 |
