Leeds and the FA Cup: A Proud and Varied History
While the FA Cup may begin in earnest in the mid-summer heat of August, it is not until the third round that the competitions most renowned names enter the fray. The upcoming draw will include the leading names in English football, including leading Premiership sides and large-scale clubs who have fallen on hard times. Leeds United certainly remains in the latter camp at present, as while they remain one of the best supported and most decorated sides in the English game they are currently plying their trade in the Championship.
Leeds United and the FA Cup: A Long and Memorable Romance
Leeds certainly have a strong affinity with the FA Cup, however, having appeared in four finals and won the trophy once back in 1972. This was the year of major upsets and the Freebets FA Cup Magic Moments highlights arguably the biggest upset of them all in FA Cup history with Hereford United’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United. For Leeds however, this years’ competition, a side led by the legendary Don Revie defeated an all-conquering Arsenal team that has completed a league and cup double just twelve months previously. Allan ‘Sniffer’ Clarke’s instinctive finish from Mick Jones’ cross secured a 1-0 victory and enabled Leeds to lift the FA Cup for the first time, while fans celebrated and dined out on the success for weeks to come.
Leeds also had a chance to retain the trophy the following year, when once more they advanced to the final to face a Sunderland that languished in the old second division. While the final was once again memorable for Leeds fans’, this was for all the wrong reasons as despite being dominated, Sunderland won 1-0 and completed one of the biggest shocks in modern FA Cup history. The game is also renowned for producing arguably the single greatest save in FA Cup history, as Sunderland keeper Jimmy Montgomery denied both Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer in a matter of seconds.
Recent History and Future for Leeds United
This defeat represented the clubs last final appearance, although they have enjoyed some memorable FA Cup occasions since. None were more impactful than the clubs historical 1-0 win against bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2010, however, when Jermaine Beckford’s goal registered as one of the most iconic moments in Leeds United’s modern era. A League One club at the time, Leeds’ performance echoed other great upsets from history and remains a huge source of pride for fans who had endured a difficult time since the turn of the century.
A repeat of this would do nicely for the club and its fans, although you can never predict what will happen once the third round of the FA Cup is underway.