The 1977-78 season marked another year of transition for Leeds United, as they sought to rebuild their reputation in English football. Following a lackluster 1976-77 campaign, the team showed signs of improvement, particularly in their attacking play.
Improved Goal Scoring
One of the key highlights of the season was Leeds United’s enhanced goal-scoring ability. The team netted a total of 63 goals, a significant improvement compared to the previous season. This offensive resurgence was spearheaded by Ray Hankin, who emerged as the club’s top scorer with an impressive 21 goals. Hankin’s contributions were crucial in propelling the team to a more respectable position in the league.
League Performance
Leeds United finished the season in 9th place in the First Division, demonstrating a step in the right direction after their struggles the year before. While they weren’t competing for the title, the team displayed resilience and consistency throughout the season, laying a foundation for future success.
FA Cup Drama
One of the most memorable moments of the season occurred during the FA Cup third round. In a heated match against Manchester City, Leeds found themselves trailing 2-0. Frustrated fans stormed the pitch at Elland Road, reportedly in an attempt to get the match called off. The situation escalated when City’s goalkeeper, Joe Corrigan, was pulled to the ground by supporters. This incident highlighted the passion of Leeds fans but also underscored the tensions surrounding the club during this period.
Notable Transfers
The 1977-78 season also featured significant movements in the transfer market. A notable transaction occurred on 9 February 1978, when Manchester United paid a national record fee of £495,000 to acquire Leeds United defender Gordon McQueen. This transfer not only reflected McQueen’s talents but also illustrated the evolving landscape of player valuations in English football.
Conclusion
The 1977-78 season for Leeds United was characterized by improvement and notable events that kept fans engaged. With an increased goal tally, a stable league position, and a dramatic FA Cup incident, the season served as a critical chapter in the club’s ongoing journey. As they continued to rebuild, Leeds United aimed to reclaim their former glory in the years to come.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nottingham Forest | 42 | 25 | 14 | 3 | 69 | 24 | +45 | 64 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 42 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 65 | 34 | +31 | 57 |
| 3 | Everton | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 76 | 45 | +31 | 55 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 42 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 74 | 51 | +23 | 52 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 60 | 37 | +23 | 52 |
| 6 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 62 | 53 | +9 | 50 |
| 7 | Coventry City | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 75 | 62 | +13 | 48 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 57 | 42 | +15 | 46 |
| 9 | Leeds United | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 63 | 53 | +10 | 46 |
| 10 | Manchester United | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 67 | 63 | +4 | 42 |
| 11 | Birmingham City | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 55 | 60 | −5 | 41 |
| 12 | Derby County | 42 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 54 | 59 | −5 | 41 |
| 13 | Norwich City | 42 | 11 | 18 | 13 | 52 | 66 | −14 | 40 |
| 14 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 42 | 54 | −12 | 39 |
| 15 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 51 | 64 | −13 | 36 |
| 16 | Chelsea | 42 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 46 | 69 | −23 | 36 |
| 17 | Bristol City | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 49 | 53 | −4 | 35 |
| 18 | Ipswich Town | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 47 | 61 | −14 | 35 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 42 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 47 | 64 | −17 | 33 |
| 20 | West Ham United | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 52 | 69 | −17 | 32 |
| 21 | Newcastle United | 42 | 6 | 10 | 26 | 42 | 78 | −36 | 22 |
| 22 | Leicester City | 42 | 5 | 12 | 25 | 26 | 70 | −44 | 22 |
Leeds United 1977-78 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Division One | 20 Aug 1977 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | L | 2-3 |
| League Division One | 24 Aug 1977 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 27 Aug 1977 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 1-0 |
| League Cup | 31 Aug 1977 | Rochdale v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| League Division One | 03 Sep 1977 | Coventry City v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 10 Sep 1977 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 17 Sep 1977 | Derby County v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 24 Sep 1977 | Leeds United v Manchester United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 01 Oct 1977 | Chelsea v Leeds United | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 05 Oct 1977 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 08 Oct 1977 | Bristol City v Leeds United | L | 2-3 |
| League Division One | 15 Oct 1977 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 22 Oct 1977 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | L | 1-2 |
| League Cup | 26 Oct 1977 | Leeds United v Colchester United | W | 4-0 |
| League Division One | 29 Oct 1977 | Leicester City v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Division One | 05 Nov 1977 | Leeds United v Norwich City | D | 2-2 |
| League Division One | 12 Nov 1977 | Manchester City v Leeds United | W | 3-2 |
| League Division One | 19 Nov 1977 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | W | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 26 Nov 1977 | West Ham United v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Cup | 30 Nov 1977 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
| League Division One | 03 Dec 1977 | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers | W | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 10 Dec 1977 | Arsenal v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 17 Dec 1977 | Leeds United v Manchester City | W | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 26 Dec 1977 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 27 Dec 1977 | Leeds United v Everton | W | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 31 Dec 1977 | West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 02 Jan 1978 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | L | 0-2 |
| FA Cup | 07 Jan 1978 | Leeds United v Manchester City | L | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 14 Jan 1978 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | W | 3-2 |
| League Cup | 18 Jan 1978 | Leeds United v Everton | W | 4-1 |
| League Division One | 21 Jan 1978 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 04 Feb 1978 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Cup | 08 Feb 1978 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | L | 1-3 |
| League Cup | 22 Feb 1978 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | L | 4-2 |
| League Division One | 25 Feb 1978 | Leeds United v Chelsea | W | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 01 Mar 1978 | Manchester United v Leeds United | W | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 04 Mar 1978 | Leeds United v Bristol City | L | 0-2 |
| League Division One | 11 Mar 1978 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Division One | 18 Mar 1978 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | W | 5-0 |
| League Division One | 25 Mar 1978 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 27 Mar 1978 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 2-1 |
| League Division One | 28 Mar 1978 | Leeds United v Leicester City | W | 5-1 |
| League Division One | 01 Apr 1978 | Norwich City v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Division One | 08 Apr 1978 | Leeds United v West Ham United | L | 1-2 |
| League Division One | 12 Apr 1978 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 2-0 |
| League Division One | 15 Apr 1978 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Division One | 22 Apr 1978 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 1-3 |
| League Division One | 26 Apr 1978 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| League Division One | 29 Apr 1978 | Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
