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League Champions, 1973-74: Leeds United's Record-Breaking Season
Leeds United won the 1973-74 First Division title with a record 29-match unbeaten start, giving Don Revie a spectacular final season at Elland Road.
A response to heartbreak
The 1973-74 title was born partly from disappointment. Leeds had finished third in 1972-73, lost the FA Cup final to Sunderland and suffered a controversial European Cup Winners' Cup final defeat to AC Milan. Don Revie challenged his players to respond, and they did so with one of the greatest league campaigns in Leeds United history.
The unbeaten start
Leeds opened the 1973-74 First Division season without defeat for 29 matches, establishing a new Football League record for the start of a campaign. The eventual league record was 24 wins, 14 draws and four defeats. Leeds finished as champions, with Liverpool second and Derby County third.
The key players
Billy Bremner remained the driving force as captain. Johnny Giles supplied midfield intelligence, while Peter Lorimer's pace and shooting provided a constant attacking threat. Eddie Gray remained one of the most gifted players in the side. Mick Jones was a leading scorer, while Allan Clarke supplied goals and movement. Norman Hunter and new signing Gordon McQueen formed a formidable central defensive partnership, with David Harvey providing goalkeeping security.
The highs and the pressure
The season's defining achievement was its consistency. Leeds did not simply produce a run of spectacular wins; they repeatedly found ways to avoid defeat. The 3-1 win over Everton is remembered as one of the campaign's notable home victories. The title also arrived in Revie's final season as Leeds manager, making the championship a fitting conclusion to his reign.
The end of the Revie era
Revie left Leeds at the end of the season to become England manager. His departure closed one of the most successful periods in Leeds United history. Across his reign, Leeds won two First Division titles, two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, the FA Cup and the League Cup, while reaching several other major finals.