The 2009-2010 season marked a significant turning point for Leeds United as they clinched promotion to the Championship after a stellar campaign in League One. Managed by Simon Grayson, the club finished the season in second position.
A Historic Promotion Under Simon Grayson
In his first full season as manager, Simon Grayson achieved what no previous manager had accomplished in four years: completing a full season in charge. Grayson’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the team to success, and he was widely praised for his tactical acumen and ability to inspire the squad. The club’s promotion was not just a return to the second tier of English football; it symbolized a new beginning for Leeds United.
Jermaine Beckford: The Goal-Scoring Machine
One of the standout performers of the season was Jermaine Beckford, who finished as the team’s top scorer with an impressive 31 goals in all competitions. Beckford’s goal-scoring prowess played a pivotal role in Leeds’ success and solidified his status as a fan favorite. His exceptional performances earned him the title of League One Player of the Year, showcasing his impact throughout the campaign.
Other Key Players
While Beckford shone brightly, other players also contributed significantly to the team’s success. Patrick Kisnorbo, a solid defender, was awarded the club’s Player of the Year due to his consistent performances at the back, playing a vital role in maintaining the team’s defensive stability.
FA Cup and League Cup Performances
Leeds United also competed in domestic cup competitions during the 2009-2010 season:
- FA Cup: The team reached the fourth round, showcasing their potential against top-tier clubs.
- League Cup: Leeds made it to the third round, adding to the excitement of the season despite not advancing further.
Conclusion
The 2009-2010 season will be remembered as a landmark year in the history of Leeds United. With Simon Grayson at the helm and Jermaine Beckford leading the attack, the club reclaimed its place in the Championship and set the stage for future success. The season not only highlighted individual talents but also reinforced the spirit and resilience of the team as they embarked on a new chapter in their storied legacy.
League 1 Standings 2009-2010
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich City (C, P) | 46 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 89 | 47 | +42 | 95 |
| 2 | Leeds United (P) | 46 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 77 | 44 | +33 | 86 |
| 3 | Millwall (O, P) | 46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 76 | 44 | +32 | 85 |
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 71 | 48 | +23 | 84 |
| 5 | Swindon Town | 46 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 73 | 57 | +16 | 82 |
| 6 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 82 | 56 | +26 | 80 |
| 7 | Southampton | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 85 | 47 | +38 | 73 |
| 8 | Colchester United | 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 64 | 52 | +12 | 72 |
| 9 | Brentford | 46 | 14 | 20 | 12 | 55 | 52 | +3 | 62 |
| 10 | Walsall | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 60 | 63 | −3 | 62 |
| 11 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 19 | 5 | 22 | 59 | 70 | −11 | 62 |
| 12 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 17 | 9 | 20 | 60 | 68 | −8 | 60 |
| 13 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 56 | 60 | −4 | 59 |
| 14 | Carlisle United | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 63 | 66 | −3 | 58 |
| 15 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 55 | 59 | −4 | 53 |
| 16 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 39 | 57 | −18 | 52 |
| 17 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 53 | 63 | −10 | 51 |
| 18 | Exeter City | 46 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 48 | 60 | −12 | 51 |
| 19 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 45 | 72 | −27 | 51 |
| 20 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 59 | 67 | −8 | 50 |
| 21 | Gillingham | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 48 | 64 | −16 | 50 |
| 22 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 56 | 76 | −20 | 45 |
| 23 | Southend United | 46 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 51 | 72 | −21 | 43 |
| 24 | Stockport County | 46 | 5 | 10 | 31 | 35 | 95 | −60 | 25 |
Leeds United 09/10 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League One | 08 Aug 2009 | Leeds United v Exeter City | W | 2-1 |
| League Cup | 10 Aug 2009 | Darlington v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League One | 15 Aug 2009 | Wycombe Wanderers v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League One | 18 Aug 2009 | Walsall v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League One | 22 Aug 2009 | Leeds United v Tranmere Rovers | W | 3-0 |
| League Cup | 25 Aug 2009 | Leeds United v Watford | W | 2-1 |
| League One | 29 Aug 2009 | Colchester United v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League One | 05 Sep 2009 | Leeds United v Stockport County | W | 2-0 |
| League One | 11 Sep 2009 | Southend United v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League One | 19 Sep 2009 | Leeds United v Gillingham | W | 4-1 |
| League Cup | 22 Sep 2009 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 0-1 |
| League One | 26 Sep 2009 | Milton Keynes Dons v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League One | 29 Sep 2009 | Leeds United v Carlisle United | D | 1-1 |
| League One | 03 Oct 2009 | Leeds United v Charlton Athletic | D | 0-0 |
| Johnstones Paint Trophy | 06 Oct 2009 | Leeds United v Darlington | W | 2-1 |
| League One | 19 Oct 2009 | Leeds United v Norwich City | W | 2-1 |
| League One | 24 Oct 2009 | Millwall v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League One | 27 Oct 2009 | Bristol Rovers v Leeds United | W | 0-4 |
| League One | 31 Oct 2009 | Leeds United v Yeovil Town | W | 4-0 |
| FA Cup | 07 Nov 2009 | Oldham Athletic v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| Johnstones Paint Trophy | 10 Nov 2009 | Leeds United v Grimsby Town | W | 3-1 |
| League One | 21 Nov 2009 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| League One | 24 Nov 2009 | Leeds United v Leyton Orient | W | 1-0 |
| FA Cup | 29 Nov 2009 | Kettering Town v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League One | 01 Dec 2009 | Oldham Athletic v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League One | 05 Dec 2009 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | D | 2-2 |
| FA Cup | 08 Dec 2009 | Leeds United v Kettering Town | W | 5-1 |
| Johnstones Paint Trophy | 15 Dec 2009 | Leeds United v Accrington Stanley | W | 2-0 |
| League One | 19 Dec 2009 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 1-0 |
| League One | 26 Dec 2009 | Leeds United v Hartlepool United | W | 3-1 |
| League One | 28 Dec 2009 | Stockport County v Leeds United | W | 2-4 |
| FA Cup | 03 Jan 2010 | Manchester United v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League One | 09 Jan 2010 | Leeds United v Wycombe Wanderers | D | 1-1 |
| League One | 16 Jan 2010 | Exeter City v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| Johnstones Paint Trophy | 19 Jan 2010 | Carlisle United v Leeds United | L | 1-2 |
| FA Cup | 23 Jan 2010 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League One | 26 Jan 2010 | Swindon Town v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League One | 30 Jan 2010 | Leeds United v Colchester United | W | 2-0 |
| FA Cup | 03 Feb 2010 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 1-3 |
| League One | 06 Feb 2010 | Hartlepool United v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| Johnstones Paint Trophy | 09 Feb 2010 | Carlisle United v Leeds United | D | 2-3 (6-5) |
| League One | 13 Feb 2010 | Leyton Orient v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League One | 16 Feb 2010 | Leeds United v Walsall | L | 1-2 |
| League One | 20 Feb 2010 | Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion | D | 1-1 |
| League One | 23 Feb 2010 | Leeds United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 |
| League One | 27 Feb 2010 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League One | 06 Mar 2010 | Leeds United v Brentford | D | 1-1 |
| League One | 09 Mar 2010 | Tranmere Rovers v Leeds United | W | 1-4 |
| League One | 13 Mar 2010 | Southampton v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League One | 22 Mar 2010 | Leeds United v Millwall | L | 0-2 |
| League One | 27 Mar 2010 | Norwich City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League One | 03 Apr 2010 | Leeds United v Swindon Town | L | 0-3 |
| League One | 05 Apr 2010 | Yeovil Town v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League One | 10 Apr 2010 | Leeds United v Southend United | W | 2-0 |
| League One | 13 Apr 2010 | Carlisle United v Leeds United | W | 1-3 |
| League One | 17 Apr 2010 | Gillingham v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| League One | 24 Apr 2010 | Leeds United v Milton Keynes Dons | W | 4-1 |
| League One | 01 May 2010 | Charlton Athletic v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League One | 08 May 2010 | Leeds United v Bristol Rovers | W | 2-1 |
