Joe Mercer was given temporary charge of the England team, and in July the FA announced diat Don Revie would take over. Leeds had just won the title, five points ahead of arch-rivals Liverpool. Revie’s men had been under threat from the FA follovwng their appalling disciplinary record in previous seasons. In this campaign it was their footballing qualities which took the eye. Leeds went on a 2 9-match unbeaten run to win their second championship in style. Revie’s decision to take the England job may have had something to do with the fact that he now had an ageing side that would need a major overhaul sooner rather than later. The man who stepped into Revie’s shoes was Brian Clough, but he was barely there long enough to claim a car-parking space, let alone put his stamp on the team. Amid rumours of a dressing-room bust-ups between manager and players, Clough departed after just 44 days in charge.
Opposite below: Ian Porterfield's (right) shot flies over Leeds goalkeeper, Harvey, to score the goal that gave Second Division Sunderland a miraculous FA Cup victory against the favourites.
Opposite above: A delighted Sunderland manager. Bob Stokoe, hugs Porterfield after the team's stunning win.
Above: Allan Clarke scores from a penalty to put England level at one goal apiece with Poland. The draw in this game was not sufficient to take England through to the 1974 World Cup Finals in West Germany.
Johnny Giles
When Johnny Giles joined Leeds United from Manchester United in 1963 they were a DivisionTwo side. Even in those days, at a cost of 635,000, Leeds got a bargain, for over the next 12 years Giles was a major influence in helping turn Don Revie’s side into a force to rival Manchester United and Liverpool.
Leeds playmaker
Giles was originally a winger but at Leeds he became a superbly skilled and creative midfield playmaker forming an almost telepathic partnership with the fiery Billy Bremner In his first season at the club, 1963-64. Leeds won promotion to the First Division. During the following 10 years Leeds were never out of the top flight - never finishing lower than fourth in the table and twice taking the championship. Giles went on to win the FA Cup with Leeds in 1972, adding to the winners’ medal he gained when he was part of Manchester United’s victory over Leicester City nine years earlier He also won two winners' medals in the Fairs Cup, but missed out on a European Cup victory when Leeds lost 2-0 to Bayern Munich in Paris in 1975. Soon after that defeat Giles left Elland Road for West Bromwich Albion.
As a Republic of Ireland international for nearly two decades, playing his 59th and last game in 1979, it was fitting that he ended his playing career with Shamrock Rovers.
Leeds fans riot as Bayern are crowned European channpions
Jimmy Armfield took up the reins and although Leeds slipped to 9th in the league, they did make it to the 1975 European Cup Final. Leeds dominated in the early stages against holders Bayern Munich. They were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty and also had a Lorimer strike ruled out. Bayern, weathered the storm and won the match with late goals from Roth and Muller. Leeds fans went on the rampage after the game and the club received a diree-year ban from European competition. It hardly mattered as it was the end of a glorious era. Leeds were more commonly to be found in mid-table for the rest of the decade and were relegated early in the next.
Above: QPR’s Stan Bowles strides confidently away from the goalmouth after scoring against Manchester United; Martin Buchan looks on disconsolately. That season, 1973-74, saw Manchester United relegated to Division Two when they scored only 32 points from 42 games.
Opposite above left: Hero - Kevin Keegan soars in the air to score England’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Wales at Cardiff in 1974. Opposite above right: Villain — Keegan lands a right to the Jaw of Leeds captain Billy Bremner when the pair got into a brawl during the 1974 Charity Shield match.
Opposite below: The 1974 FA Cup Final saw Liverpool win 3-0 against Newcastle United. Here Keegan powers home the opening goal; he would later score the third.
World History
