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Second Division Champions, 1989-90: Howard Wilkinson Takes Leeds Back Up
Howard Wilkinson transformed Leeds United into 1989-90 Second Division champions, winning promotion to the First Division on goal difference after a dramatic title race.
The beginning of another Leeds revival
The 1989-90 Second Division title marked the beginning of the Howard Wilkinson era that would eventually culminate in the 1992 First Division championship. When Wilkinson arrived in October 1988, Leeds were struggling near the bottom of the Second Division. The rebuilding process was rapid.
A title race decided on goal difference
Leeds finished the 1989-90 Second Division season with 24 wins, 13 draws and nine defeats, scoring 79 goals and conceding 52. They collected 85 points — exactly the same total as Sheffield United. Leeds took the title because their goal difference was superior: +27 compared with Sheffield United's +20.
The key players
Gordon Strachan was central to the transformation. Signed from Manchester United in March 1989, he became captain and finished the championship season as top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions and 16 in the league. The squad also contained David Batty, Gary Speed, Vinnie Jones, Mel Sterland, Chris Fairclough, John McClelland, Chris Kamara, Bobby Davison, Lee Chapman, John Hendrie and Mervyn Day.
The highs and lows
The campaign was not a procession. Leeds began the season with a heavy 5-2 defeat at Newcastle United and suffered setbacks along the way. But the response was consistent enough to keep Leeds in the title race. By the end, Sheffield United had the same number of points, making every goal matter.
A promotion with a bigger future
The Second Division championship restored Leeds to the First Division. Wilkinson then strengthened the team with players including Gary McAllister, and Leeds finished fourth in 1990-91 before going all the way to the First Division title in 1991-92. The 1989-90 promotion was therefore the first major step in another great Leeds United story.