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Team Profile Leeds United Football Club

In 1914, Herbert Chapman, one of the most influential and successful football managers of the 20th century, declared about Leeds, "This city is built to support top-flight football". While the actual Leeds United Football Club as we know it was not to be founded for another few years, it's fair to say that Chapman was already onto something.

Highly present in popular culture, Leeds never ceases to fascinate. It appeared countless times in the iconic BBC comedy series Porridge, where the Leeds team is described as "hard but fair". The Damned Utd novel by David Peace refers to Brian Clough's tenure as manager of the club. But the influence of the club crosses borders too. American singer and songwriter Amanda Palmer shared her views and hopes for Leeds United in a 2008 song. Even New-Zealand/Australia Gladiator actor, Russell Crowe, gave his voice to the Amazon Prime documentary Take us Home: Leeds United. The bottom line: Leeds United has played a part in bringing people together and making them dream since the day it was founded.

History of Leeds United

Referred to as The Whites, for its home colours, or the Peacocks after the pub that faced the stadium, Leeds United Football Club has had a tough start. Leeds City, the predecessor of the current F.C., first appeared in 1904 and joined the League membership one year later. Unfortunately, Leeds City was disbanded by The Football League in 1919, following allegations that players received illegal payments during the First World War. The same year, 1919, Leeds United was founded, faithful to Chapman's vision that the city had a football heart. Most of Leeds's history involves competing in the first tier of English football; however, there has been a long span of 16 years spent outside the first tier.

The era between 1920 and 1960 was marked by a bumpy start, as Leeds were frequently relegated, including after the war with the worst league record in history. Yet, the Don Revie era, in 1961, brought passion and success, leading Leeds to football division titles and cups. Under Revie's tenure, Leeds United were voted one of the top 50 greatest football teams of all times. In 1964, Leeds entered the first tier of English football, in which it will remain for 18 years. After Howard Wilkinson, Graham, and O'Leary tenures, Leeds faced a financial crisis. In 2004, the club left the first tier. It was relegated to the third tier of English Football in 2007m the lowest it's ever been. Despite financial and legal challenges, Leeds managed to start their campaign with the Football League, securing their promotion to the Championship in 2010. The return to the Championship in 2010 marked a new era, during which the club changed ownership and managed to return to the Premier League in 2020, 16 years after falling out of the league.

Owners of Leeds

When Leeds United received a legal challenge by the HMRC in 2007, Ken Bates bid to purchase the club. In May 2011, Bates was announced as the club's owner, which encouraged fans' protests. Yet, Bates's ownership didn't last long. In 2012, Middle East private equity group GFH Capital took over the club with 100% shareholding. When Sport's Capital's takeover collapsed in 2014 due to a lack of financial backing, GFH invited Italian businessman and football club owner Massimo Cellino to bid. Legal controversy with the Football League was overturned by April 2014, when Cellino bought 75% of the club's shares. In 2017, Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani announced a 100% buyout of Leeds United F.C. after purchasing a 50% stake from Cellino. Radrizzani completed the purchase of Stadium Elland Road the same year, previously sold in 2004. In 2018, it was announced that 49ers Enterprises became a minority investor with 37% shares in the club, sharing the current ownership 63% Radrizzani under the company name Aser Group Holding and 37% 49ers Enterprises.

Leeds Stadium

Located in Beeston, Leeds, Elland Road stadium has been the home of Leeds United Football Club since its formation in 1919. It's the 14th largest stadium in England, holding an all-seated capacity of 37,792 and four stands:

• Dan Revie Stand (north)

• Jack Charlton Stand (east)

• Norman Hunter Stand (south)

• John Charles Stand (west)

Since the all-seated upgrade, the current attendance record was 40,287, set during a Premiership match against Newcastle United in December 2001. Elland Road stadium is currently considering demolishing the west stand to expand the area and reach a new all-seated capacity of 50,000.

Built on a site owned by Bentley's Brewery, the ground was once called the Old Peacock Ground, after the local pub. The nickname, the Peacocks, hence followed both Leeds City and Leeds United. In 1919, when Leeds City was disbanded, the stadium was bought by football club Yorkshire Amateurs to preserve the site from development. In 1920, Leeds United acquired Elland Road for £250.

Elland Road then changed ownership several times, first falling into the hands of Leeds City Council before being bought back in 1988, then sold again in 2005 to Teak Trading Corporation. It was finally bought back in 2017 by current club owner Andrea Radrizzani.

Leeds - Cups won

Leeds United has won several football cups since its formation. Yet, the last time the club won a cup won was in 1992.

FA Cup winner: 1971-72

EFL Cup winner: 1967-68

FA Charity/Community Shield winner: 1969, 1992

European football: Inter-Cities Fairs cup winner: 1967-68, 1970-71

Current Squad - Leeds

The current first-team squad consists of 25 players, including 9 defenders, 2 goalkeepers, 9 midfielders, and 5 forwards.

• Captain Liam Cooper - Scotland - Defender

• Vice-captain Luke Ayling - England - Defender

• Goalkeepers

• Illan Meslier - France

• Kristoffer Klaesson - Norway

• Defender

• Junior Firpo - Spain

• Robin Koch - Germany

• Diego Llorente - Spain

• Stuart Dallas - Northern Ireland

• Pascal Struijk - Netherlands

• Charlie Cresswell - England

• Cody Drameh - England

• Midfielder

• Adam Forshaw - England

• Raphinha - Brazil

• Daniel James - Wales

• Jack Harrison - England

• Kalvin Phillips - England

• Crysencio Summerville - Netherlands

• Mateusz Klich - Poland

• Jamie Shackleton - England

• Jack Jenkins - England

• Forwards

• Patrick Bamford - England

• Tyler Roberts - Wales

• Rodrigo - Spain

• Joe Gelhardt - England

• Sam Greenwood - England

Biggest transfers Leeds

Some of Leeds's most expensive transfers for the current squad include:

• £11.7m for Robin Koch from Freiburg

• £13.5m for Firpo from Barcelona

• £16.74m for Raphinha from Stade Rennais

• £18m Diego Llorente from Real Sociedad

• £26.19m Daniel James from Manchester United

• £27m for Rodrigo from Valencia

However, note-worthy transfers in Leeds's history also include the world's most expensive defender Rio Ferdinand from West ham in 2000 for £23.4m, Robbie Keane from Inter in 2001 for £16.2m, and Robbie Fowler from Liverpool in 2001 for £15.12m.

Top goalscorers Leeds

The team's current top goalscorers include Raphinha, Jack Harrison, and Rodrigo, with 4, 2 and 2 goals.

Yet, best goalscorers of all times include famous names such as Peter Lorimer with 238 goals, John Charles with 157, Billy Bremner with 115, and Jack Charlton with 95 goals.