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100 Years of Leeds United: 1919-2019
UPDATED TO INCLUDE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE CLUB'S TITLE-WINNING CENTENARY YEAR. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH LEEDS UNITED'Every up and down at Leeds United. Essential reading.' Phil Hay The definitive history of Leeds United's first century. 100 Years of Leeds United tells the story of a one-club city and its unique relationship with its football team. Since its foundation in 1919, Leeds United Football Club has seen more ups and downs than most, rising to global fame through an inimitable and uncompromising style in the 70s, clinching the last Division One title prior to the Premier League's inauguration in 1992, before a spectacular fall from grace at the start of the 21st century. United finally restored their top flight status after a sixteen-year wait with an unstoppable promotion campaign in the club's 100th year; the transformation under manager Marcelo Bielsa fittingly reminiscent of those instigated by Howard Wilkinson and Don Revie decades earlier. In 100 Years of Leeds United, Chapman delves deep into the archives to discover the lesser-known episodes, providing fresh context to the folkloric tales that have shaped the club we know today, painting the definitive picture of the West Yorkshire giants.
542 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 10, 2020
100 Years of Leeds United by Daniel Chapman was easy for me to enjoy as I've been a fan of this football club since 1970. One of my daughters recently bought me this book for my 57th birthday - what a pleasant surprise!
Daniel Chapman has been the editor of Leeds United fanzine The Square Ball since 2011. He does a terrific job of detailing the history of Leeds United since its birth in 1919 to today. Chapman writes about every coach, manager and owner, all the key players and even highlights of important games. There are also some terrific photographs of players from bygone eras to enjoy.
I first remember seeing Leeds play Chelsea in the 1970 FA Cup Final, we lost in a replay but in 1972 we beat Arsenal 1-0 via a stunning Allan Clarke header - something I will always remember. However, this was followed the year after with us being beaten by 2nd Division Sunderland 1-Nil, I will always remember crying my eyes out with my brother, as a 9 year old on our stairs after this loss. Oh the pain and ecstasy of sport.
One main reason I've followed Leeds all my life is because my Dad was the splitting image of Leeds legend Billy Bremner, but Dad was also a fan too, which was probably THE main reason.
I can't count the amount of times I have listened to the radio or watched a Leeds game on TV at 2am on a Sunday morning. Sadly, I also can't count the amount of times this team has broken my heart over the last 50 years - as only Leeds seem to do.
Was this book brilliantly written? I have to admit - I have no idea. But I loved it, I devoured every page. When you have a special interest, something you are passionate about, that's just the way it is.
5 Stars
Daniel Chapman has been the editor of Leeds United fanzine The Square Ball since 2011. He does a terrific job of detailing the history of Leeds United since its birth in 1919 to today. Chapman writes about every coach, manager and owner, all the key players and even highlights of important games. There are also some terrific photographs of players from bygone eras to enjoy.
I first remember seeing Leeds play Chelsea in the 1970 FA Cup Final, we lost in a replay but in 1972 we beat Arsenal 1-0 via a stunning Allan Clarke header - something I will always remember. However, this was followed the year after with us being beaten by 2nd Division Sunderland 1-Nil, I will always remember crying my eyes out with my brother, as a 9 year old on our stairs after this loss. Oh the pain and ecstasy of sport.
One main reason I've followed Leeds all my life is because my Dad was the splitting image of Leeds legend Billy Bremner, but Dad was also a fan too, which was probably THE main reason.
I can't count the amount of times I have listened to the radio or watched a Leeds game on TV at 2am on a Sunday morning. Sadly, I also can't count the amount of times this team has broken my heart over the last 50 years - as only Leeds seem to do.
Was this book brilliantly written? I have to admit - I have no idea. But I loved it, I devoured every page. When you have a special interest, something you are passionate about, that's just the way it is.
5 Stars
February 24, 2021
5 Stars (bit bias in my ratings)
Leeds United are my football team having started supporting them nearly 30 years ago. I love my team but being a Leeds fan isn't easy. I know we all sing about ups and downs but my god this book is full of them! Even from its origins as Leeds City, disbandment and then its inception into the Football League in 1919 as Leeds United there have been trials and tribulations. There really has been no let up.
Daniel Chapman, co-editor of fanzine The Square Ball, condenses 100 years of history into less than 650 pages. His love for the club comes off the pages in droves. The book is informative and gets to the point, it doesn't linger or drag matters out. Nothing is off limits even the darker periods are shown for what they really are - some bits gave me headache (Bates and Cellino!!)
A must read for all fans, you won't be disappointed.
Leeds United are my football team having started supporting them nearly 30 years ago. I love my team but being a Leeds fan isn't easy. I know we all sing about ups and downs but my god this book is full of them! Even from its origins as Leeds City, disbandment and then its inception into the Football League in 1919 as Leeds United there have been trials and tribulations. There really has been no let up.
Daniel Chapman, co-editor of fanzine The Square Ball, condenses 100 years of history into less than 650 pages. His love for the club comes off the pages in droves. The book is informative and gets to the point, it doesn't linger or drag matters out. Nothing is off limits even the darker periods are shown for what they really are - some bits gave me headache (Bates and Cellino!!)
A must read for all fans, you won't be disappointed.
March 17, 2023
In January I said I hoped to smash through this by the end of the month, but I enjoyed it so much I instead found myself dragging it out for as long as possible.
Over lockdown, I read and very much enjoyed my first book on the history of Leeds United, written by Anthony Clavane. It has a very skewed and personal perspective - written by a Jewish fan, with strong family ties to the club, using his time with the Evening Post to add context and drama to the darker years of Leeds’ history (they deserve to be a hated club).
A few months later, Leeds won the league. I remember that first lockdown so fondly, unlike most. Sunshine, books and very happy days. Even in the empty stadiums, football was still a huge part of it.
Chapman’s writing style is very clear and concise, covering three or four seasons in one chapter but with a laser focus bringing the key games to life on the page and highlighting the important aspects of any one manager’s period at the club.
He also digs deep on the headlines and offers fresh perspectives. At many points I put the book down and tried to find clips of the matches he was describing - they sound so exciting! But they don’t exist. It’s all history, memory, folklore. Minimal truth retold into heightened drama.
A sports book that left me reading under the lamplight at 1am and begging for more at the end of every chapter. Unheard of. Thrilling stuff. Strongly recommended. MOT.
Over lockdown, I read and very much enjoyed my first book on the history of Leeds United, written by Anthony Clavane. It has a very skewed and personal perspective - written by a Jewish fan, with strong family ties to the club, using his time with the Evening Post to add context and drama to the darker years of Leeds’ history (they deserve to be a hated club).
A few months later, Leeds won the league. I remember that first lockdown so fondly, unlike most. Sunshine, books and very happy days. Even in the empty stadiums, football was still a huge part of it.
Chapman’s writing style is very clear and concise, covering three or four seasons in one chapter but with a laser focus bringing the key games to life on the page and highlighting the important aspects of any one manager’s period at the club.
He also digs deep on the headlines and offers fresh perspectives. At many points I put the book down and tried to find clips of the matches he was describing - they sound so exciting! But they don’t exist. It’s all history, memory, folklore. Minimal truth retold into heightened drama.
A sports book that left me reading under the lamplight at 1am and begging for more at the end of every chapter. Unheard of. Thrilling stuff. Strongly recommended. MOT.
July 21, 2020
The phrase "ups and downs" resonates with Leeds fans, but this amazing account of Leeds's 100 year history really shows how up and down the story of our club is. You might think a book about a football club would become boring with dates and scorelines and list of managers and players coming and going, but this book was an enthralling read. Even though I loved through some of the madness, having it recounted in detail in black and white was just amazing. Having seen what we've been put through as Leeds fans in the last 20 years, nevermind 100, makes me love the club even more. And Chapman's passion for Leeds just radiates off the page.
Excellent read. 10/10
Excellent read. 10/10
October 17, 2023
a big 600+ page behemoth. Probably not gonna be interested in this unless you love Leeds United… I loved it
September 14, 2025
Definitive history from the inimitable Daniel Chapman.
April 13, 2020
100 Years is a lot to cram into just over 400 pages, especially when LUFC isn't even formed until 10% into the book, not to mention diversions into background of some of the people from before their involvement in the club, but Chapman has written a lively history of the club.
I've said I was a Leeds fan since my days in primary school, though I have no recollection of why, and have been a proper supporter for a much shorter length of time, attending matches sporadically since my mid-to-late twenties before becoming a season ticket holder for since the season the club was relegated from the Premiership, never really knowing much of the history, except that I was living through. This book could almost be seen as a "primer", with a lot of detail, written in an engaging style, but without the full-blown statistics that I have seen in my limited experiences if other club histories.
For me, it's not perfect - there are a few places where I had to re-read sections to work out what was being said and others where players are mentioned as appearing in games without having bring mentioned before, despite previous sentences listing where others had come from. (Admittedly, however, listing each player's transfer in would have diluted the style.) Some of the latter-day snippets of match commentary are breathless, and there is a lot of behind-the-scenes action to cover in the later years that is handled just as well as the on-field action (which, let's face it, wasn't much to write home about at the time...) I would have liked more photographs, perhaps some showing how the ground has changed.
Overall, though, this is a decent history - at times surprising (at least to me) with some great little nuggets of information, at others exciting and, unfortunately ending with the heartbreak of the play-off against Derby, a downer that only the brief epilogue, with its feeling of hope, goes any way to dispel, especially given the circumstances of the current season.
I've said I was a Leeds fan since my days in primary school, though I have no recollection of why, and have been a proper supporter for a much shorter length of time, attending matches sporadically since my mid-to-late twenties before becoming a season ticket holder for since the season the club was relegated from the Premiership, never really knowing much of the history, except that I was living through. This book could almost be seen as a "primer", with a lot of detail, written in an engaging style, but without the full-blown statistics that I have seen in my limited experiences if other club histories.
For me, it's not perfect - there are a few places where I had to re-read sections to work out what was being said and others where players are mentioned as appearing in games without having bring mentioned before, despite previous sentences listing where others had come from. (Admittedly, however, listing each player's transfer in would have diluted the style.) Some of the latter-day snippets of match commentary are breathless, and there is a lot of behind-the-scenes action to cover in the later years that is handled just as well as the on-field action (which, let's face it, wasn't much to write home about at the time...) I would have liked more photographs, perhaps some showing how the ground has changed.
Overall, though, this is a decent history - at times surprising (at least to me) with some great little nuggets of information, at others exciting and, unfortunately ending with the heartbreak of the play-off against Derby, a downer that only the brief epilogue, with its feeling of hope, goes any way to dispel, especially given the circumstances of the current season.
April 11, 2021
This must be one of the best one volume books on the history of any well known football club, never mind being one of the best histories of Leeds United. Superbly researched and well written. Daniel Chapman has an enviable ability to summarise the events of each season - highlighting the key events and people without ever getting bogged down in trivia.
The book methodically covers the entire history of Leeds United, starting with the first exhibition match by “sockerists” in 1877 in south Leeds, when it was a rugby-mad city and ending in 2019 when Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
I found the early years fascinating. I never realised that before Leeds United were formed in 1919, the owner of Huddersfield Town wanted to bring his team over to replace Leeds City, United’s predecessor. And in the initial years, Leeds United played in blue & white stripes, mirroring Huddersfield’s strip.
I didn’t foresee that I’d find this an upsetting book to read. I’ve supported Leeds for half a century now and this book raked my emotional scars like a Norman Hunter tackle. Leeds United rarely fulfilled their potential in terms of trophies. Reading of multiple opportunities missed reminded me of the pain I felt as a supporter many times. And it’s not just the pain of being runner ups so many times on the field, it was being reminded of the off field shenanigans of the various directors and owners of the club through the decades.
All Leeds United supporters should read this book. And I genuinely believe that fans of other football clubs would find this an informative worthwhile read.
The book methodically covers the entire history of Leeds United, starting with the first exhibition match by “sockerists” in 1877 in south Leeds, when it was a rugby-mad city and ending in 2019 when Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
I found the early years fascinating. I never realised that before Leeds United were formed in 1919, the owner of Huddersfield Town wanted to bring his team over to replace Leeds City, United’s predecessor. And in the initial years, Leeds United played in blue & white stripes, mirroring Huddersfield’s strip.
I didn’t foresee that I’d find this an upsetting book to read. I’ve supported Leeds for half a century now and this book raked my emotional scars like a Norman Hunter tackle. Leeds United rarely fulfilled their potential in terms of trophies. Reading of multiple opportunities missed reminded me of the pain I felt as a supporter many times. And it’s not just the pain of being runner ups so many times on the field, it was being reminded of the off field shenanigans of the various directors and owners of the club through the decades.
All Leeds United supporters should read this book. And I genuinely believe that fans of other football clubs would find this an informative worthwhile read.
July 3, 2022
I’ve been a fan since getting into football around the time of Italia 90 when I was 10 so my introduction was promotion, league title, nearly getting relegated, Cantona being sold etc.. so a very dramatic and exciting time.
This book gave a great account of those times and extra insight and behind the scenes stories that I wasn’t aware of. I never tire of hearing the bizarre way Cantona was sold. It was great to read about goals and incidents and find them on YouTube.
I read it in a strange order picking my favourite bits I was alive for and going backwards and towards in time. The Revie years were so interesting to read about. It sticks out how many times we finished second or lost finals and semi finals during those times and where I inherited the collective fan frustration and heartache from at never quite being all conquering consistent force in football.
The late 70’s and 80’s was particularly interesting as it’s an era I know least about. Having experienced the last 16 “wilderness years” I enjoyed learning about this similar era and can relate to the experience fans must have had during this time.
I struggled with some of the long descriptions of the finance management stuff in the Risdale/Ken Bates era, but I guess this reflects how complicated and bizarre these times were.
A great read for any Leeds fan, it’s awakened my passion for football and football books. I didn’t read the pre-60’s stuff will save this for another time and try and find the David Batty book. MOT!
This book gave a great account of those times and extra insight and behind the scenes stories that I wasn’t aware of. I never tire of hearing the bizarre way Cantona was sold. It was great to read about goals and incidents and find them on YouTube.
I read it in a strange order picking my favourite bits I was alive for and going backwards and towards in time. The Revie years were so interesting to read about. It sticks out how many times we finished second or lost finals and semi finals during those times and where I inherited the collective fan frustration and heartache from at never quite being all conquering consistent force in football.
The late 70’s and 80’s was particularly interesting as it’s an era I know least about. Having experienced the last 16 “wilderness years” I enjoyed learning about this similar era and can relate to the experience fans must have had during this time.
I struggled with some of the long descriptions of the finance management stuff in the Risdale/Ken Bates era, but I guess this reflects how complicated and bizarre these times were.
A great read for any Leeds fan, it’s awakened my passion for football and football books. I didn’t read the pre-60’s stuff will save this for another time and try and find the David Batty book. MOT!
July 26, 2020
I am biased, as most who read this will be, but 100 Years of Leeds United is as informative as it is brisk, never stopping to gaze at its navel too long but leaving you in no doubt that the highs were high and the lows low in comprehensive and entertaining fashion.
If my dad were still around to read it, I think he may have even found forgiveness for Jimmy Armfield in this book, having carried a grudge against him for fielding the old guard in the 1975 European Cup final.
It's strange, when living through a large part of the chaos as a fan, you lament it but you just sort of go with it. It takes it being written down in this manner to appreciate just what a basket case of a club Leeds has been since its inception and before!
Thankfully, I couldn't have timed my reading of it any better, with the happy epilogue that was this season, whatever the future brings.
If my dad were still around to read it, I think he may have even found forgiveness for Jimmy Armfield in this book, having carried a grudge against him for fielding the old guard in the 1975 European Cup final.
It's strange, when living through a large part of the chaos as a fan, you lament it but you just sort of go with it. It takes it being written down in this manner to appreciate just what a basket case of a club Leeds has been since its inception and before!
Thankfully, I couldn't have timed my reading of it any better, with the happy epilogue that was this season, whatever the future brings.
February 9, 2020
An excellent account of the history of Leeds United, including loads of gems that I had no idea about, particularly the Leeds City days prior to 1919 and even iterations of the team before Leeds City, including Leeds Steelworks, known as The Twinklers because their skin twinkled from the industry they were involved in. The team of course has had many ups and downs, but I was surprised at the number of times they have been in the second division, suggesting it's not so unusual to see them there now. Puts a lot of the current situation into perspective, and it's very interesting how Bielsa seems to epitomise characteristics of many of the previous managers. An excellent read, if a little formulaic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2020
If you are a Leeds fan then this is a must read, especially with our promotion this season. Last season we just missed it, which Daniel reflects on soberly on the final page “It would have been too clean and perfect for Leeds United to be promoted back to the Premier League in time for the centenary season in 2019/20, and too unlike Leeds and too unlike Bielsa.” Beautifully written just like the rest of the book. Of course I don’t believe him, but all is forgiven in this centenary season. Different parts of the book will resonate with you depending on your age and history at LUFC. For me reading of the early Revie years when I as a teenager would attend every home game brings back many wonderful and terrible memories.
February 22, 2021
Daniel Chapman is one of the best football writers currently working.
Obviously, I'm biased as a Leeds fan, but the way he writes gets you caught up in the drama of stories that you already know the outcome of. He clearly loves his subject matter, and that shines through the book.
What's most impressive is the way this translates to Leeds' ancient history. It's easy to be misty-eyed about Bremner and Strachan, to be bilious and frustrated by Bates and Cellino, and to fall head over heels with Bielsa's team of journeymen finally reaching their potential, but Chapman also gets you invested in long dead men who until now only existed as single lines in dusty old match reports.
A must read for any Leeds United fan. And probably a decent read for anyone who loves football.
Obviously, I'm biased as a Leeds fan, but the way he writes gets you caught up in the drama of stories that you already know the outcome of. He clearly loves his subject matter, and that shines through the book.
What's most impressive is the way this translates to Leeds' ancient history. It's easy to be misty-eyed about Bremner and Strachan, to be bilious and frustrated by Bates and Cellino, and to fall head over heels with Bielsa's team of journeymen finally reaching their potential, but Chapman also gets you invested in long dead men who until now only existed as single lines in dusty old match reports.
A must read for any Leeds United fan. And probably a decent read for anyone who loves football.
May 16, 2025
'100 Years of Leeds United' is a very enjoyable and well researched popular history aimed at supporters of the club. I have no doubt that even someone not inclined to the majesty of the glory laden boys from Elland Road might find a lot of interest in this book. This to the credit of the author who is one of the best contemporary writers on the club. His passion and commitment to accuracy is admirable.
I particularly enjoyed the earlier tales about the foundational days of the club and the period of Raich Carter and how this flowed into the eventually fruitful period under Don Revie. I of course knew about a great deal of this but few books previously had such a focus on the travails of building a football giant in what was in essence a rugby league city. It's a specific and unique insight into the development of the game in England, and one that rarely gets sufficient attention.
4/5
I particularly enjoyed the earlier tales about the foundational days of the club and the period of Raich Carter and how this flowed into the eventually fruitful period under Don Revie. I of course knew about a great deal of this but few books previously had such a focus on the travails of building a football giant in what was in essence a rugby league city. It's a specific and unique insight into the development of the game in England, and one that rarely gets sufficient attention.
4/5
October 29, 2025
"Essential reading" is the comment by iconic Leeds United covering journalist Phil Hay on the cover of this book, and it truly is. If you're a Leeds fan and want to know the club's history, look no further. Daniel Chapman walks his way through the first century of Leeds United as well as the decades leading up to its creation, with insight, humour and style. The book ends with Leeds United reaching promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 2019/2020 season.
January 5, 2022
A superbly concise, informative, enjoyable read of the club's history. I grew up in the late '80s/'90s, so aside from my old man's relentless harking back to the Revie era, and borrowed tales of John Charles' travels, I was largely in the dark about anything before my time.
A must-read for any Leeds fan, or footie nerd.
A must-read for any Leeds fan, or footie nerd.
March 20, 2020
Very entertaining book about the history of one of England's biggest clubs. Do you have to be a Leeds United supporter I hear you ask? Not necessarily, but it helps - although you don't need to have my 50 years of ups and downs as a Leeds United supporter.
February 16, 2021
Really beautifully done, a labour of love by a real local sports journalist, the usual jocular style of his giving way to a more measured approach.
What this book desperately needs however is a new epilogue. Come on Moscow, let's have it?
What this book desperately needs however is a new epilogue. Come on Moscow, let's have it?
October 4, 2021
The complete book on Leeds United
I have been a Leeds fan all my life - reading this it was great to be reminded about what I knew, thought I knew, knew but didn't want to be reminded about and never knew in the first place!!
I have been a Leeds fan all my life - reading this it was great to be reminded about what I knew, thought I knew, knew but didn't want to be reminded about and never knew in the first place!!
January 13, 2022
A lovely father’s days present and having had no other team since being a lad I enjoyed the ups and downs of the club particularly the last decade! Unusual spirited adherence to the club. Well written book with perhaps a bot too much minutiae.
February 13, 2022
Thoroughly researched, impeccably written and extremely enjoyable. I'm a Leeds fan so was ready to be critical, however I couldn't find fault. I lent it to a non-Leeds fan who also enjoyed it. Essential reading for LUFC supporters.
December 28, 2023
Very interesting history of football in Yorkshire, specifically Leeds. Takes you from Leeds City FC to Leeds United FC, covering Jack Charlton, Don Revie, Billy Bremner, and everything that followed.
June 8, 2025
Fantastic history of LUFC
A great read that brought back many memories over 50 plus years, through the highs and lows of the rollercoaster ride that is supporting Leeds United. Well written with extensive research. Well done Daniel Chapman!
A great read that brought back many memories over 50 plus years, through the highs and lows of the rollercoaster ride that is supporting Leeds United. Well written with extensive research. Well done Daniel Chapman!
May 2, 2020
Incredibly thorough but entertaining, well-written, and equal parts exciting, depressing, and absurd.
May 23, 2020
Loved it!
February 9, 2021
Insightful read into the history of Leeds United
February 25, 2021
Absolutely brilliant. Essential reading for any Leeds fan. Really well written which makes it a very easy read for such a big book.
June 3, 2022
Fantastic work from Moscow White, amazing writeup of Leeds as a city and a club.
June 9, 2024
An excellent overview of Leeds United's history. Only thing missing is proper referencing so you can tell what might be truly fact versus legend apart.
October 12, 2022
Literally was excited to get in from work, get to bed and complete it. Even slept less than normal while on the go so I could finish it asap. So so SO good. Dan Chapman pulls it out the bag again. Probably the best of many leeds books I’ve read!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews