In the late eighties Sgt Wilko (Howard Wilkinson) was given the task of restoring the club to the top flight of English Soccer.Wilko made some very shrewd signings such as Vinnie Jones (now more famous as a film star) known as a midfield hard man, Lee Chapman a journey man striker that had been to over ten clubs, Gordon Strachon a Scotsman whoose career had stagnated at them over the hills, plus a few others.
By 1990 Wilko had led Leeds back to the top flight winning the old second division, Jones has a Tatoo on his leg to prove it.
Once again the mighty whites had returned to the big time although once again slagged in the press and starting the next season as relegation favorites Leeds group of unknowns surprised all finishing 4th and qualifying for the Eufa Cup. Chapman the striker nobody wanted was the leagues top scorer.
But it was the following season when Wilkos bunch of misfits shocked everyone by taking the English title. By this time Jones had done his job and was replaced in the side with local hero David Batty a man with white blood flowing through his veins .
This team will never forgotten in Leeds history - Lucic, Sterland, Dorigo, Batty, Fairclough, Whyte, Stachon, Wallace, Chapman, McAllister and Speed. They played inspired football leaving the enemy (you know who) 5 points adrift at the end of the season.
To date Sgt Wilko is the last English man to manage a championship winning side.
The future looked rosy for Leeds in 1992 as the clubs youngsters won the Youth Cup in a two legged final against (you know who) winning both matches home and away. The 1st leg at Old Trafford drew a record crowd for a youth match (34,000) but the record didn't stand long with 36,000 turning up at Leeds. Was this the start of another decade of glory it looked good at the time. Amazingley none of the Leeds youngsters made it to the top of the game most finishing up at lower division clubs when the players from the beaten finalists went on to become slightly well known (Beckham, Scholes, Nevilles, Gillespie, etc).
Although Wilko gave us some great times and a dream of better things to come he couldn't repeat his miracle buys in the transfer market, he made major mistakes like Swede Thomas Brolin. Once again the whites faded into the role of also-rans hovering just above the relegation spot.
Other than these seasons the nineties were quite boring although we did have two great strikers at the club in Ghana International Tony Yeboah who scored goals for fun and when George Graham came in to replace Wilko he sighned and developed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
However Grahams negative style was never popular and he was eventually replaced by assistant David O'Leary and then we lived the dream (or did we).
Tomorrow - Living the flawed Dream
3 comments:
This is cool! I like reading about your team!!
The 'old man' and I don't get to see the Mighty Whites as much as we would like as I have mentioned, and so we listen to most games on Radio Leeds. When Wilko was in charge we used to love his after match interviews. They always went on for ages, with him analyzing every kick it seemed. In fact we gave them the nickname of 'the thoughts of Chairman Wilko' A rip off the Communist book all the Chinese used to carry 'The Thoughts of Chairman Mao'
But what a great ride it was wasn't it? But it nearly killed the club. I can remember reading all the news and praying they would make it.
Yet another similarity to my rugby club, I thought at one point they would fold about 7 yrs ago. Its an awful feeling, like you could loose a part of your heart.
I know some people would think that sounds potty, but its how it is.
Rachel,
Good for you I think we can consider you on our side.
Airliebird,
You are so right we all feared going out of business.
I also love listening to Radio Leeds.
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