The 1974-75 season marked a challenging period for Leeds United, showcasing the aftermath of Don Revie’s departure and the struggles that ensued under the controversial management of Brian Clough. This season was pivotal in defining the club’s trajectory in English football.
The End of an Era: Don Revie’s Departure
Don Revie’s influence on Leeds United was profound, establishing the team as a formidable force in English football. However, following his exit, the club faced significant difficulties. Revie’s meticulous management style had instilled a winning mentality, but without him, Leeds struggled to maintain their competitive edge.
League Performance
Leeds United finished 9th in the First Division, a stark contrast to their previous successes. The team struggled to recapture the glory days, and the inability to compete at the highest level became evident.
Allan Clarke: The Leading Scorer
Allan Clarke emerged as the team’s top scorer with 22 goals, demonstrating his individual talent despite the team’s overall lackluster performance. Clarke’s goals provided crucial moments in an otherwise disappointing season.
Brian Clough: A Polarizing Figure
The Appointment
After Revie’s departure, Leeds United appointed Brian Clough, one of England’s most successful yet outspoken managers. Clough had led Derby County to the league championship in 1972, but his arrival at Leeds was fraught with controversy. Clough’s management style clashed with the established norms set by Revie.
Clough’s First Impressions
Clough’s first team talk shocked many players, as he advised them to discard their medals, claiming they had been won through “cheating.” This abrasive approach alienated key players, including captain Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter. His comments about injury-prone players like Eddie Gray were particularly harsh, suggesting that if Gray were a horse, he would have been shot long ago.
Turmoil on the Field
Mixed Results
Clough’s initial match in charge was the 1974 FA Charity Shield against Liverpool. Leeds drew 1-1 but lost in the penalty shootout, a match marked by the send-off of both Bremner and Kevin Keegan after a brawl. Bremner received an 11-match ban, further complicating Clough’s start.
The league campaign began poorly, with just one victory and two draws in the first six matches, leaving Leeds languishing in 19th place. This underperformance prompted an extraordinary meeting among the club’s directors to assess player sentiment regarding Clough’s methods.
Divided Opinions
During the meeting, players like Allan Clarke and Johnny Giles recognized the need for change and believed Clough deserved more time. In contrast, others, including Paul Madeley, voiced strong opposition to his methods. This division within the squad highlighted the instability at the club.
A Quick Exit
After only 44 days in charge, Clough was sacked in September 1974. His brief tenure was marked by a failure to integrate new signings and rejuvenate an aging squad. The only player from his signings to make a significant impact at Leeds was Duncan McKenzie.
The Aftermath
Clough would go on to achieve great success with Nottingham Forest, winning multiple league titles and European cups, while Leeds struggled to recover from the upheaval. The 1974-75 season served as a sobering reminder of the challenges that come with leadership changes in sports.
Conclusion
The 1974-75 season was a turbulent chapter in Leeds United’s history, characterized by the aftermath of Don Revie’s departure and the controversial arrival of Brian Clough. With a 9th place finish and the struggles of key players, this season highlighted the club’s challenges in maintaining its status as a powerhouse in English football. As Leeds moved forward, the lessons learned during this tumultuous time would shape its future endeavors.
First Division 1974-75 Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derby County | 42 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 67 | 49 | 1.367 | 53 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 42 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 60 | 39 | 1.538 | 51 |
| 3 | Ipswich Town | 42 | 23 | 5 | 14 | 66 | 44 | 1.500 | 51 |
| 4 | Everton | 42 | 16 | 18 | 8 | 56 | 42 | 1.333 | 50 |
| 5 | Stoke City | 42 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 64 | 48 | 1.333 | 49 |
| 6 | Sheffield United | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 58 | 51 | 1.137 | 49 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 54 | 40 | 1.350 | 48 |
| 8 | Manchester City | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 54 | 54 | 1.000 | 46 |
| 9 | Leeds United | 42 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 57 | 49 | 1.163 | 45 |
| 10 | Burnley | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 68 | 67 | 1.015 | 45 |
| 11 | Queens Park Rangers | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 54 | 54 | 1.000 | 42 |
| 12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 57 | 54 | 1.056 | 39 |
| 13 | West Ham United | 42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 58 | 59 | 0.983 | 39 |
| 14 | Coventry City | 42 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 51 | 62 | 0.823 | 39 |
| 15 | Newcastle United | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 59 | 72 | 0.819 | 39 |
| 16 | Arsenal | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 47 | 49 | 0.959 | 37 |
| 17 | Birmingham City | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 53 | 61 | 0.869 | 37 |
| 18 | Leicester City | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 46 | 60 | 0.767 | 36 |
| 19 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 52 | 63 | 0.825 | 34 |
| 20 | Luton Town | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 47 | 65 | 0.723 | 33 |
| 21 | Chelsea | 42 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 42 | 72 | 0.583 | 33 |
| 22 | Carlisle United | 42 | 12 | 5 | 25 | 43 | 59 | 0.729 | 29 |
Leeds United 1974-75 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FA Charity Shield | 10 Aug 1974 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 1-1 (5-6) |
| League Division One | 17 Aug 1974 | Stoke City v Leeds United | L | 0-3 |
| League Division One | 21 Aug 1974 | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers | L | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 24 Aug 1974 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 27 Aug 1974 | Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 31 Aug 1974 | Manchester City v Leeds United | L | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 07 Sep 1974 | Leeds United v Luton Town | D | 1-1 |
| League Cup | 10 Sep 1974 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 14 Sep 1974 | Burnley v Leeds United | L | 1-2 |
| European Cup | 18 Sep 1974 | Leeds United v FC Zurich | W | 4-1 |
| League Division One | 21 Sep 1974 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | W | 5-1 |
| League Cup | 24 Sep 1974 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 28 Sep 1974 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| European Cup | 02 Oct 1974 | FC Zurich v Leeds United | L | 1-2 (Agg: 3-5) |
| League Division One | 05 Oct 1974 | Leeds United v Arsenal | W | 2-0 |
| League Cup | 07 Oct 1974 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | W | 2-1 |
| League Cup | 09 Oct 1974 | Bury v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 12 Oct 1974 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 15 Oct 1974 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 19 Oct 1974 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 2-0 |
| European Cup | 23 Oct 1974 | Ujpest Dosza v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 26 Oct 1974 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 02 Nov 1974 | Leeds United v Derby County | L | 0-1 |
| European Cup | 06 Nov 1974 | Leeds United v Ujpest Dosza | W | 3-0 (Agg: 5-1) |
| League Division One | 09 Nov 1974 | Coventry City v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
| League Cup | 13 Nov 1974 | Chester v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 16 Nov 1974 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 23 Nov 1974 | Carlisle United v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 30 Nov 1974 | Leeds United v Chelsea | W | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 04 Dec 1974 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 07 Dec 1974 | West Ham United v Leeds United | L | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 14 Dec 1974 | Leeds United v Stoke City | W | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 21 Dec 1974 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 26 Dec 1974 | Leeds United v Burnley | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 28 Dec 1974 | Leicester City v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| FA Cup | 04 Jan 1975 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | W | 4-1 |
| League Division One | 11 Jan 1975 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 18 Jan 1975 | Chelsea v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| FA Cup | 25 Jan 1975 | Leeds United v Wimbledon | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 01 Feb 1975 | Leeds United v Coventry City | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 08 Feb 1975 | Derby County v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| FA Cup | 10 Feb 1975 | Wimbledon v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| FA Cup | 18 Feb 1975 | Derby County v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 22 Feb 1975 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Division One | 25 Feb 1975 | Leeds United v Carlisle United | W | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 01 Mar 1975 | Leeds United v Manchester City | D | 2-2 |
| European Cup | 05 Mar 1975 | Leeds United v Anderlecht | W | 3-0 |
| FA Cup | 08 Mar 1975 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| FA Cup | 11 Mar 1975 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 15 Mar 1975 | Leeds United v Everton | D | 0-0 |
| European Cup | 19 Mar 1975 | Anderlecht v Leeds United | W | 0-1 (Agg: 0-4) |
| League Division One | 22 Mar 1975 | Luton Town v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| FA Cup | 25 Mar 1975 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| FA Cup | 27 Mar 1975 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | L | 2-3 |
| League Division One | 29 Mar 1975 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 31 Mar 1975 | Leeds United v Leicester City | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 01 Apr 1975 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 05 Apr 1975 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 0-2 |
| European Cup | 09 Apr 1975 | Leeds United v Barcelona | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 12 Apr 1975 | Arsenal v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 19 Apr 1975 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | W | 2-1 |
| European Cup | 23 Apr 1975 | Barcelona v Leeds United | D | 1-1 (Agg: 2-3) |
| League Division One | 26 Apr 1975 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 28 Apr 1975 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | L | 4-2 |
| European Cup | 28 May 1975 | Bayern Munchen v Leeds United | L | 0-2 |
