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Second Division Champions, 1963-64: The Revie Revolution Begins
Don Revie's Leeds United won the 1963-64 Second Division title after four seasons in the second tier, beginning the transformation that would create one of English football's great sides.
The season that changed Leeds United
The 1963-64 Second Division championship is one of the defining seasons in Leeds United history. Don Revie had spent years rebuilding the club, and after finishing fifth in 1962-63, his team finally broke through. Leeds won the title and returned to the First Division, beginning the sustained rise that would lead to domestic and European trophies.
A dominant promotion campaign
Leeds lost only three of their 42 league matches, winning 24 and drawing 15. They scored 71 goals and conceded 34, finishing with 63 points, two ahead of Sunderland. The club's wider season record was 27 wins, 16 draws and five defeats across 48 matches, with 19 clean sheets.
The emerging Revie team
The champions contained the core of the great Leeds side that would soon dominate English football. Norman Hunter and goalkeeper Gary Sprake each appeared 47 times in the wider season record; Paul Reaney played 46, Johnny Giles 45, Bobby Collins 44 and Billy Bremner 43. Albert Johanneson scored 15 goals, while Don Weston also scored 14. Jack Charlton was another crucial part of the squad, and young players such as Paul Madeley and Terry Cooper were beginning their Leeds careers.
The road to the title
Leeds' consistency was the story. Their biggest league win was 5-1 against Mansfield Town, while their three league defeats included setbacks against promotion rivals such as Manchester City and Sunderland. Crucially, Leeds remained unbeaten at Elland Road in the league, while Norman Hunter featured in every match.
Why 1963-64 matters
The Second Division title was more than a promotion. It was the launchpad for the Don Revie era at the highest level. Leeds immediately finished runners-up in the First Division in 1964-65 and would soon win the League Cup, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and First Division title.