Of course every fan knows that our beloved club was born out of the ashes of Leeds City, who had become Leeds first professional football club on their formation in 1904. City were duly elected to the Football League in 1905, and would play their whole league career in the Second Division, during which time the legendary Herbert Chapman guided the club to their highest ever finish of 4th place.
The First World War put a stop to League football in 1915, and Chapman left the club to help the war effort at the Barnbow Munitions factory in East Leeds, leaving behind him a chaotic management team. During the war years many guest players turned out for the club, and received illegal payments from the board. At the time the practice was fairly widespread throughout the game, but it was still a major rule breach nonetheless.
Prior to the first post-war season of 1919/20, when Chapman had returned to the club, contractual negotiations with one such player were turning sour. Charles Copeland was demanding the doubling of his pre-war wages and attempted to blackmail the board by blowing the whistle on their illegal payment system. The board called his bluff and transferred him to Coventry, from where Copeland made good on his threat to report Leeds to the authorities.
Despite the charges never being fully substantiated, a joint FA and Football League commission expelled City from the Football League. The club were disbanded, and their entire assets, including their players, were auctioned off. Soon after Leeds United were formed to take their place, and after 89 years of 'ups and downs' continue their very own battle with the footballing authorities. 'Keep Fighting' Don Revie famously urged his troops. Thankfully the city of Leeds doesn't know any other way.
