1982-83: New Manager, the always popular Eddie Gray, was given his instructions. Get back into the First Division as soon as possible. This was much easier said than done as attendances had sunk dramatically, wages were still unacceptably high and there was a debt reported to be in excess of £1.5m. Gray trod warily bringing in his friend and former United colleague Jimmy Lumsden as his Assistant and persuaded Syd Owen to return as chief scout. He also started reducing the wage bill and the debt by loaning Peter Barnes to Real Betis for the season, for £130,000, while transferring Welsh International Winger Carl Harris to Charlton Athletic for £100,000. There was no immediate wholesale clearance of the playing staff and although Trevor Cherry, due to suspension, and Kenny Burns, due to injury, missed the opening 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town, United impressed on the pitch. Unfortunately, after being warned due to the incidents at the Hawthorns in the final match of the previous season, the Leeds followers again caused much damage to the Blundell Road ground as trouble flared once again. There were warnings of fines and possible ground closure with disastrous effect on the financially challenged club, by the United Directors to the so called fans. The warning went unheeded and there were clashes with Chelsea fans and a ball-bearing attack on Kevin Keegan and his Newcastle United players. The front page of the Club Programme for the game against Charlton Athletic on 6th November was devoted to spelling out the firm views of the club on the yobs who were putting the club at risk. âThe future of Leeds United Association Football Club hangs in the balance. This in no way exaggerates the position and must not be taken as an idle threat. Despite repeated pleas and warnings, the mindless actions of a minority of the clubâs so called followers last Saturday have placed an enormous degree of uncertainty over this great club. We know from comments received from in the last few days that many true supporters deplore what took place at the Newcastle game. And we would ask for the help and co-operation of everyone who have Leeds United at heart â and we appreciate that this is the majority of our supporters â to help rid the club of the âscabâ element who, although small in numbers, have caused the club so many problems and whose loathsome actions now place the very existence of Leeds United in jeopardy.â The FA announced that the terraces had to be closed for the next two home games and that the rest of the stadium was to be all-ticket. The first of these games against Queens Park Rangers saw a ghostly Elland Road and the attendance of 11,528 was the lowest in 19 years. Worse was to follow as the second game against Shrewsbury Town managed to attract only 8,741. There was further trouble at the Baseball Ground and both Derby County and United were found guilty of âfailing to exercise proper control over their supportersâ. Fortunately, the rest of the season passed without further incident, undoubtedly much to the relief of the club. Events off the field had tended to overshadow those on it, where United had steadily accumulated the points without ever posing a serious promotion threat. They finished 8th with 60 points, in the second season where 3 points were awarded for a win. November saw Frank Worthington sold to Sunderland for £50,000, while in March Terry Connor was sold to Brighton for £500,000 with Andy Ritchie making the reverse trip at a cost of £150,000. Skipper and long-time servant, Trevor Cherry joined Bradford City as player-manager for £10,000 and later led them back to the Second Division for the first time since 1937.United also pocketed £15,000, when Neil Firm joined Peterborough United, while Brian Flynnâs return to Burnley brought another £60,000. Aidan Butterworth was the only United player to register double figures as he lead the goal-scorers with 11. In March John Lukic had asked for a transfer and was promptly dropped, so bringing to an end his record 146 consecutive league games as United custodian. Veteran David Harvey returned to replace him between the sticks and he duly departed for Arsenal for a give-away £100,000 in the summer.Only regulars were Frank Gray 42, Paul Hart, Arthur Graham and Gwyn Thomas with 39, Aidan Butterworth 37 and Martin Dickinson 31. There were several youngsters starting to make their mark. Defender Neil Aspin, Striker Tommy Wright, Winger Mark Gavin, and mid-fielders John Sheridan and Scott Sellars, all teenagers, sampled first-team football. In the FA Cup there was a 3-0 romp at home to Preston North End in the Third Round, followed by an epic 4th Round encounter with Arsenal which saw a 1-1 draw at Highbury, followed by the same score at Elland Road after extra time in the replay, before they were finally beaten in the Second Replay at Highbury 2-1. In the League Cup in the two legged 2nd Round, United lost 1-0 to Newcastle United at St Jamesâ before coming through 4-1, after extra-time, at Elland Road in the second leg. Third Division Huddersfield Town won the local derby at Elland Road 1-0 in the Third Round to halt further progress. 1983-84: The close-season saw stalwarts Arthur Graham, who departed to Manchester United for a paltry £50,000, and Paul Hart, who joined Nottingham Forest for an equally derisory £40,000, leave the club, while Kenny Burns went to Derby County and Brian Greenhoff joined Rochedale, both on free-transfers. Mid-season Derek Parlane was allowed to move to Manchester City for £160,000 and Gwyn Thomas went to Barnsley for £40,000. The money was re-invested north of the border, as they paid £161,000 for Celtic striker George McCluskey, £60,000 to Aberdeen for midfield ball-winner Andy Watson and £10,000 to Dumbarton for their midfielder John Donnelly. They were further strengthened by the return of Peter Barnes from his Spanish sojourn and legendary veteran Peter Lorimer. There was a poor start to the season, when all realistic chance of promotion was lost. Attendances fell and lack of consistency was apparent until an all-time low was reached when United were beaten 1-0 at home in the Second Round of the League Cup by Chester, who were running 92nd out of the 92 Football League clubs, in front of a 8,106 crowd. Total humiliation was averted when United ran out 4-1 victors in the away leg. Third Division Oxford were not as forgiving and after a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in the Third Round, pulverised United 4-1 in the Replay. The FA Cup brought no solace as Allan Clarkeâs Third Division cellar-dwellers Scunthorpe United triumphed in the Third Round. There was a 1-1 draw at Elland Road before a similar result, after extra-time in the replay, took the tie to a second replay which Scunthorpe won 4-2. With no money resulting from the Cups Eddie Gray had to forget thoughts of adding to his young squad as his plans had been dealt a severe blow when talented mid-fielder John Sheridan broke his leg at Barnsley in October. Thoughts of promotion were unthinkable and it was now a fight against relegation. With Peter Lorimer pulling the strings in midfield, United slowly pulled the season round losing only four games in the New Year and they rose up the league to finish a creditable tenth with 60 points as Eddie Gray finally hung up his boots after the last game against Charlton Athletic. Despite severe injuries he had amassed over 550 games for United and, like his 12 Scottish Caps, would have been substantially increased but for those mid-career injuries. Eddie, together with Peter Lorimer, who had now broken John Charlesâ aggregate League goals record, had done well to foster the fledgling youngsters. By seasonâs end Denis Irwin had established himself at right-back, as had Neil Aspin, in central defence, Scott Sellars, in left-midfield and Tommy Wright as striker. With the talented John Sheridan recovering from his injury, and the hooligan element seemingly in check, the campaign could be considered a success and boded well for the new season. FALLING ATTENDANCES, MISSING PROMOTION, FIGHTING RELEGATION, GOOD PLAYERS SOLD, BLOODING YOUNG PLAYERS - SOUND FAMILIAR????
Without a shadow of a doubt the last 7 years for me on a personal level. It nearly wasn't when Grayson took us to 7th when all we needed was an extra player or two in that January transfer window, since then it has been too many backward steps. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now... In the form that GFH are by far easier to deal with than Bates: I would hope we get a new owner or serious investor in place before the new season starts.
The ony bit that is not familiar is "fighting relegation". We're not at that stage, and unlikely to be - famous last words? And that Shrewsbury game was great - sitting down in the Kop to watch the second half was unbelievable
I can't split the two eras. I remember missing out on the payoffs back then too. I think the issue now is the huge and rapidly widening difference in financial wealth between the Premiership and Championship, vs League 1 and 2 back then. This makes the task so much harder now and highlights the critical nature for Leeds United to get to the Premiership asap before this gap widens further still.
Another thread mentioned we are near the bottom by 8pts in the same way as near the play offs. However, I am nowhere near being concerned about relegation this season, as would have been the case in the eighties era. What I find interesting is the transfers, loans, attendance and financial issues of that decade and the parallels with what we are about at the moment.
Well the news articles around Tinternet say that the next TV deal, due for 2013 - 2016 for those in the Premiership is valued at £5.5bn. While there may be a salary capping agreed, the cash would support larger squads, youth development, training facilities, marketing to grow fan bases etc. Thus growing the gap between the leagues. Perhaps more yo-yo club promotions and relgations, unless backed by a wealthy Dubai organisation as well. We need to get in sooner rather than later.
Back then we never went into the third tier and we never went into receivership and we never had Bates
No because the top clubs will flaunt the rules, the owners of Man City for example, they just need to plough £100m in and say that it is shirt sponsorship. Leicester in our division could do the exact same, if the owners are rich and have a brand behind them they can easily use that brand as a sponsor (as I see it). Unless the fair play is solely based on gate receipts which would be impossible when some clubs make more from overseas support, tours and shirt sales.
3rd tier is a fair point, in fact so are the others. Difference is we had Bates on the run back then. Comfortable seat on top of the Chelski scoreboard and a plank of wood did the trick. There was still the comparisons of decay around the club which ultimately grew a pheonix from the almost ashes ofthe mighty LUAFC.
During that awful period in the eighties, I felt it would never come to an end. Our current predicament does not feel the same. One big investor, Adkins as manager could see our current shambles fixed quite quickly. One worry though, while everyone is assuming Adkins is a shoe in, maybe he doesn't come and we end up with an unproven young manager. That would be last thing we need
Unfortunately punk died along with dear old Sid's premature demise, heavy rock never attained the heights of the 70's (I mean seriously, Led Zep against Saxon?) New Romantics? Duran Duran awful, Japan pretty good, but preferred Glam Rock of the 70's tbh (T Rex as opposed to Glitter Band I hasten to add!) Indie? Yep I'll concede that Sheldon
Worst time to be a Leeds fan for me was during the administration process and Bates' gamble to emerge without a CVA, awaiting the FL's decision on the club's fate.
The worst time had to be being 1-0 down to Tranmere on the opening day at half time with a 15 point deduction. I seriously thought there was no way out of that, and even contemplating thinking about league 2 for a while. Thank **** for turning that game round, and winning the next six to take us out of the relegation zone.
Makes you think were we better going the rangers route and starting at the bottom without bates. Last eight years seems to have been such a waste
