Overview of Leeds United’s 1938-39 Season
The 1938-39 season was a pivotal year for Leeds United as they navigated through a challenging period marked by political upheaval and the onset of war. Despite these obstacles, Leeds United finished in a solid 13th position in the First Division, securing 41 points and scoring 59 goals. This performance highlighted their resilience and adaptability during a tumultuous time.
Early Season Struggles
Leeds United’s season began with significant challenges. The team faced three consecutive defeats, each by a narrow 1-0 margin, which saw them at the bottom of the league table. In contrast, Blackpool enjoyed a strong start, topping the First Division with three early victories.
The Impact of World War II
Declaration of War and Suspension of Football
On September 1, 1939, just a day after Leeds United’s match against Sheffield United, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany. This declaration had immediate repercussions for football, leading to the suspension of all matches and a halt to football activities nationwide. Emergency regulations were put in place to prevent large gatherings to focus on the war effort.
Resumption and Adaptation
Following the initial suspension, a joint meeting of the Football League and the FA decided to resume matches under strict conditions. Football clubs faced new regulations including a cap on player wages, limited to 30 shillings per player, and the use of guest players to replace those enlisted in National Service. Teams were organized into regional leagues to minimize travel, and a special Cup competition was introduced towards the end of the season.
Gordon Hodgson: Top Scorer and Key Player
Gordon Hodgson, Leeds United’s South African centre-forward, emerged as the team’s top scorer for the season, netting 21 goals. His exceptional performance was a key factor in Leeds United’s offensive strength and overall resilience during the season.
Leeds United’s Response to Wartime Challenges
Leeds United demonstrated remarkable perseverance by continuing their fixtures despite the wartime restrictions. The club’s decision to carry on playing during these trying times was a testament to their dedication to the sport and their supporters.
Conclusion: A Season of Resilience
The 1938-39 season was marked by both challenges and achievements for Leeds United. Their solid performance, combined with the impact of the impending war, highlighted their ability to adapt and maintain their competitive edge. Leeds United’s efforts during this period remain a significant part of their storied history, reflecting their resilience and commitment to football.
First Division of English Football: 1938-39 Season Standings
Below is the standings table for the First Division of English football for the 1938-39 season. This table provides a detailed view of how each team performed throughout the season, including their number of games played, wins, draws, losses, goals for, goals against, goal ratio, and total points.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everton | 42 | 27 | 5 | 10 | 88 | 52 | 1.692 | 59 | |
| 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 88 | 39 | 2.256 | 55 | |
| 3 | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 22 | 6 | 14 | 75 | 59 | 1.271 | 50 | |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 93 | 74 | 1.257 | 49 | |
| 5 | Arsenal | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 55 | 41 | 1.341 | 47 | |
| 6 | Derby County | 42 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 66 | 55 | 1.200 | 46 | |
| 7 | Stoke City | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 71 | 68 | 1.044 | 46 | |
| 8 | Bolton Wanderers | 42 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 67 | 58 | 1.155 | 45 | |
| 9 | Preston North End | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 63 | 59 | 1.068 | 44 | |
| 10 | Grimsby Town | 42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 61 | 69 | 0.884 | 43 | |
| 11 | Liverpool | 42 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 62 | 63 | 0.984 | 42 | |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 71 | 60 | 1.183 | 41 | |
| 13 | Leeds United | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 59 | 67 | 0.881 | 41 | |
| 14 | Manchester United | 42 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 57 | 65 | 0.877 | 38 | |
| 15 | Blackpool | 42 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 56 | 68 | 0.824 | 38 | |
| 16 | Sunderland | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 54 | 67 | 0.806 | 38 | |
| 17 | Portsmouth | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 47 | 70 | 0.671 | 37 | |
| 18 | Brentford | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 53 | 74 | 0.716 | 36 | |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 58 | 64 | 0.906 | 35 | |
| 20 | Chelsea | 42 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 64 | 80 | 0.800 | 33 | |
| 21 | Birmingham | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 62 | 84 | 0.738 | 32 | Relegated to the Second Division |
| 22 | Leicester City | 42 | 9 | 11 | 22 | 48 | 82 | 0.585 | 29 | Relegated to the Second Division |
Leeds United 1938-39 Season Fixtures and Results
Here are the fixtures and results for Leeds United during the 1938-39 season. The table includes match dates, opponents, results, scores, and the competition in which each match was played.
| Date | Match | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Aug 1938 | Leeds United v Preston North End | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 31 Aug 1938 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 03 Sep 1938 | Charlton Athletic v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 05 Sep 1938 | Stoke City v Leeds United | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 10 Sep 1938 | Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers | L | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 17 Sep 1938 | Huddersfield Town v Leeds United | W | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 24 Sep 1938 | Liverpool v Leeds United | L | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 01 Oct 1938 | Leeds United v Leicester City | W | 8-2 | League Division One |
| 08 Oct 1938 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | W | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 15 Oct 1938 | Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 22 Oct 1938 | Everton v Leeds United | L | 4-0 | League Division One |
| 29 Oct 1938 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 05 Nov 1938 | Arsenal v Leeds United | W | 2-3 | League Division One |
| 12 Nov 1938 | Leeds United v Brentford | W | 3-2 | League Division One |
| 19 Nov 1938 | Blackpool v Leeds United | W | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 26 Nov 1938 | Leeds United v Derby County | L | 1-4 | League Division One |
| 03 Dec 1938 | Grimsby Town v Leeds United | L | 3-2 | League Division One |
| 10 Dec 1938 | Leeds United v Sunderland | D | 3-3 | League Division One |
| 17 Dec 1938 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 24 Dec 1938 | Preston North End v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 26 Dec 1938 | Leeds United v Chelsea | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 27 Dec 1938 | Chelsea v Leeds United | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 31 Dec 1938 | Leeds United v Charlton Athletic | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 14 Jan 1939 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 17 Jan 1939 | Leeds United v Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic | W | 3-1 | FA Cup |
| 21 Jan 1939 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | L | 2-4 | FA Cup |
| 28 Jan 1939 | Leeds United v Liverpool | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 04 Feb 1939 | Leicester City v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 11 Feb 1939 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | L | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 18 Feb 1939 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United | L | 4-1 | League Division One |
| 25 Feb 1939 | Leeds United v Everton | L | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 08 Mar 1939 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 11 Mar 1939 | Leeds United v Arsenal | W | 4-2 | League Division One |
| 18 Mar 1939 | Brentford v Leeds United | W | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 25 Mar 1939 | Leeds United v Blackpool | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 01 Apr 1939 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 07 Apr 1939 | Manchester United v Leeds United | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
| 08 Apr 1939 | Leeds United v Grimsby Town | L | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 10 Apr 1939 | Leeds United v Manchester United | W | 3-1 | League Division One |
| 15 Apr 1939 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 19 Apr 1939 | Leeds United v Huddersfield Town | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 22 Apr 1939 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | W | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 29 Apr 1939 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 4-0 | League Division One |
| 06 May 1939 | Leeds United v Stoke City | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
