Leeds 83

[Carshalton Blue]

I've been looking everywhere for my previous posts on the 5-0 Leeds game, can't find them anywhere. This could mean having to kick start my memory and write a new post...

Its not in my vintage thread is it mate along with the pics from the Leeds 5.0 game?

 

[Oldschoolcfc]

I went to every game then and Leeds away both times in 83 and I'm sure that was the biggest mob they ever had up there from a London team.

I can also remember coming back from Huddersfield and getting of at Leeds and and escaping from the station through the side gate and chasing the Leeds supporter around the town centre and bus station before the old bill rounded us up and escourted us back to the station.

Leeds at home I was in the West Stand that day and with about 15 minutes to go loades of us made our way down to the edge of the pitch.

I can remember that was one of the first time I saw the OB have there riots  shields out which they use to push the leeds mob back .

and yes they did smash up the score board .

Great days .

 

[bluegraham]

I've been looking everywhere for my previous posts on the 5-0 Leeds game, can't find them anywhere. This could mean having to kick start my memory and write a new post...

Don't worry about it. Thanks for trying.

 

[cfcblue]

November '83 - Leeds away D1-1
April '84 - Leeds home W5-0

1983-84 season. The season we were promoted as Division 2 Champions.
I remember the season well and attended quite a few games. This was one of the seasons where our away support was phenomenal, at times and we swamped many a ground and overwhelmed the opposition. Leeds away was no exception. CFC turned up in FORCE! A huge turnout! Leeds behind both goals & Chelsea given virtually the entire length of one side of the pitch, top to bottom! Imagine the old West Stand at the Bridge being filled 'top to bottom' (benches & all) with Leeds. That's how it felt! Elland Road definitely had a home game feel to it! I remember thinking this was supposed to be Leeds away! No-one took these numbers to us. The ten minute rendition of "One Man Went To Mow" when approx. 6000-8000 away fans stood up in total unison was a site to behold. The Leeds lads even stood on their seats and applauded, it looked that good, honest!
 
Being in student digs in Leeds (at the time) we decided to walk to Leeds Station, early doors to meet the first CFC specials coming up from old Smokey! Bad idea, the Leeds boys were milling around everywhere. We had no choice but to run the gauntlet & keep our heads firmly down! "Got the time, mate?"  we were asked the old chestnut. Luckily, the Northern neutral amongst our ranks piped up on our behalf and Leeds relaxed. On arriving at the Station, we revealed our true allegiance to the rows of Coppers keeping the Leeds welcoming party at bay! They looked at us in absolute astonishment and quickly escorted us inside their Station cauldron.
 
When the packed CFC Special arrived absolute pandemonium ensued. The 'serious' Chelsea boys were literally charging up the steps, full steam ahead towards the Station's exit, where we stood. They couldn't wait for a tear up! They were orgasmic with excitement! I think at this point it suddenly dawned upon the Leeds welcoming party exactly what they were confronting. This was no ordinary mob! I think a fair few Leeds were glad the horse guard police infantry parade produced wonders to hold the CFC front lines back! They certainly looked a lot more subdued! At this point, the dress sense of the two opposing mobs became evidently apparent. Leeds had totally endorsed the brightly coloured rainbow casual look & the London lads had not!
 
We joined the Station escort for the long walk to the ground. The escort was of mammoth proportions and 'without question' Leeds knew we were coming. The build up of Leeds fans increased as the stadium flood lights approached. A few sniper attacks occurred on the Chelsea stragglers, at the very back of the escort. However, Leeds were generally happy to hurl abuse from the safety of the police lines. Yorkshire's finest had it pretty much sewn up every-time & so the anaconda snake of bodies continued on its way.
 
As we approached Elland Road it became immediately evident that all we could here were Chelsea songs coming from inside the Stadium. Our confidence soared! Remember, this was Leeds, at Leeds!

 
We slipped the escort at the Stadium because we had seats in the Leeds main home stand, opposite the CFC hordes. We sat amongst the Leeds faithful, in their vast grandstand seats with the huge CFC away following dead opposite us. It was a very impressive, wonderful site indeed! This was CFC at their peak! I think even some of the locals were in shock & awe. During the game, it became apparent that a few groups of CFC were dotted amongst the home seats. Some out of choice, others not! Soon there was an incident below. An isolated, very vocal Chelsea supporting black fella' was laid into by a few locals. He shook his head with disgust afterwards. A few CFC lads came to his aid lead by a warrior in a sheepskin coat who was waving at the massed away support ranks for maximum effect. Of course, this drew the attention of the entire home seated support. Luckily, the stewards intervened and the offending CFC were safely ejected.
 
The game finished and we followed the home fans exodus. You could sense the unease amongst the majority of locals. And I could totally understood why! Personally, I would have felt exactly the same if an equivalent sized away mob had descended upon the Bridge. Groups of lads seemed to be hanging around, waiting for the away masses eventual departure. We hanged around, as observers only. A rumour was rapidly spreading amongst the locals that CFC were smashing there way out of the ground and were on the move. Quite a few locals started to twitch. You could sense the fear spreading amongst their ranks & many turned on there toes & left ... I couldn't blame them!
 
After note: as a student living in Leeds (at the time) I witnessed the anticipation of this fixture in the City centre, especially late at night. For a week prior to the game, virtually every night bus I travelled on would spontaneously erupt in drunken anti-Chelsea songs from the entire male occupants, except me of course ... I just sat there, quiet but confident. I sort of knew what was coming ... After the main event, I knew many a Yorkshireman who was quite humbled upon the experience of witnessing our amazing CFC turn-out on that crisp November afternoon in 1983, I can tell u ... :O)
 
The numbers Leeds took to us later on that year were piss poor, in comparison. Mind you, it was our defining promotion game & Leeds were only mid-table. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this home game also included the now infamous 'battle of Piccadilly Circus', where before the game both firms met in the heart of the West End? Even Leeds admit in their book that the CFC lads achieved a points victory that day.

 

[Cobham]

Fantastic posts from CFCBlue and Melbourne Blue. Thanks lads. It was great to hear from two people who were sitting opposite us. I've always wondered why this game gets less coverage than, say, Cardiff or Newcastle or Brighton from that season. It was a huge turnout so there must have been as many there as attended those other matches, yet I seldom hear discussion of it.

Also good to be corrected. I was fairly close to the halfway line just to the right on the terracing (probably why I could see Greenaway) and from where I was I thought we filled both tiers. Still, 3/4 full was very impressive for a night game in Div 2 even if we were doing fairly well (think we were 4th when we went up there).

As an aside I think that was the first time I'd seen Greenaway at a match though I knew of him by reputation. Interestingly it was also at Leeds away (in 1996) that I last saw him.

 

[Carshalton Blue]

November '83 - Leeds away D1-1April '84 - Leeds home W5-0

1983-84 season. The season we were promoted as Division 2 Champions.
I remember the season well and attended quite a few games. This was one of the seasons where our away support was phenomenal, at times and we swamped many a ground and overwhelmed the opposition. Leeds away was no exception. CFC turned up in FORCE! A huge turnout! Leeds behind both goals & Chelsea given virtually the entire length of one side of the pitch, top to bottom! Imagine the old West Stand at the Bridge being filled 'top to bottom' (benches & all) with Leeds. That's how it felt! Elland Road definitely had a home game feel to it! I remember thinking this was supposed to be Leeds away! No-one took these numbers to us. The ten minute rendition of "One Man Went To Mow" when approx. 6000-8000 away fans stood up in total unison was a site to behold. The Leeds lads even stood on their seats and applauded, it looked that good, honest!
 
Being in student digs in Leeds (at the time) we decided to walk to Leeds Station, early doors to meet the first CFC specials coming up from old Smokey! Bad idea, the Leeds boys were milling around everywhere. We had no choice but to run the gauntlet & keep our heads firmly down! "Got the time, mate?"  we were asked the old chestnut. Luckily, the Northern neutral amongst our ranks piped up on our behalf and Leeds relaxed. On arriving at the Station, we revealed our true allegiance to the rows of Coppers keeping the Leeds welcoming party at bay! They looked at us in absolute astonishment and quickly escorted us inside their Station cauldron.
 
When the packed CFC Special arrived absolute pandemonium ensued. The 'serious' Chelsea boys were literally charging up the steps, full steam ahead towards the Station's exit, where we stood. They couldn't wait for a tear up! They were orgasmic with excitement! I think at this point it suddenly dawned upon the Leeds welcoming party exactly what they were confronting. This was no ordinary mob! I think a fair few Leeds were glad the horse guard police infantry parade produced wonders to hold the CFC front lines back! They certainly looked a lot more subdued! At this point, the dress sense of the two opposing mobs became evidently apparent. Leeds had totally endorsed the brightly coloured rainbow casual look & the London lads had not!
 
We joined the Station escort for the long walk to the ground. The escort was of mammoth proportions and 'without question' Leeds knew we were coming. The build up of Leeds fans increased as the stadium flood lights approached. A few sniper attacks occurred on the Chelsea stragglers, at the very back of the escort. However, Leeds were generally happy to hurl abuse from the safety of the police lines. Yorkshire's finest had it pretty much sewn up every-time & so the anaconda snake of bodies continued on its way.
 
As we approached Elland Road it became immediately evident that all we could here were Chelsea songs coming from inside the Stadium. Our confidence soared! Remember, this was Leeds, at Leeds!

 
We slipped the escort at the Stadium because we had seats in the Leeds main home stand, opposite the CFC hordes. We sat amongst the Leeds faithful, in their vast grandstand seats with the huge CFC away following dead opposite us. It was a very impressive, wonderful site indeed! This was CFC at their peak! I think even some of the locals were in shock & awe. During the game, it became apparent that a few groups of CFC were dotted amongst the home seats. Some out of choice, others not! Soon there was an incident below. An isolated, very vocal Chelsea supporting black fella' was laid into by a few locals. He shook his head with disgust afterwards. A few CFC lads came to his aid lead by a warrior in a sheepskin coat who was waving at the massed away support ranks for maximum effect. Of course, this drew the attention of the entire home seated support. Luckily, the stewards intervened and the offending CFC were safely ejected.
 
The game finished and we followed the home fans exodus. You could sense the unease amongst the majority of locals. And I could totally understood why! Personally, I would have felt exactly the same if an equivalent sized away mob had descended upon the Bridge. Groups of lads seemed to be hanging around, waiting for the away masses eventual departure. We hanged around, as observers only. A rumour was rapidly spreading amongst the locals that CFC were smashing there way out of the ground and were on the move. Quite a few locals started to twitch. You could sense the fear spreading amongst their ranks & many turned on there toes & left ... I couldn't blame them!
 
After note: as a student living in Leeds (at the time) I witnessed the anticipation of this fixture in the City centre, especially late at night. For a week prior to the game, virtually every night bus I travelled on would spontaneously erupt in drunken anti-Chelsea songs from the entire male occupants, except me of course ... I just sat there, quiet but confident. I sort of knew what was coming ... After the main event, I knew many a Yorkshireman who was quite humbled upon the experience of witnessing our amazing CFC turn-out on that crisp November afternoon in 1983, I can tell u ... :O)
 
The numbers Leeds took to us later on that year were piss poor, in comparison. Mind you, it was our defining promotion game & Leeds were only mid-table. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this home game also included the now infamous 'battle of Piccadilly Circus', where before the game both firms met in the heart of the West End? Even Leeds admit in their book that the CFC lads achieved a points victory that day.

One of the best posts i've read on here, fair play.

The Piccadilly tear up was in 82 not 84, over 100 nicked with some serious injurys dished out.

 

[Carshalton Blue]

http://greatwen.com/2012/12/16/north-and-south-the-enduring-hatred-of-chelsea-and-leeds/

 

[Chelseaboy]

cobham, neither was a night game. As they were both in the same year they do blend in to each other. I saw some big chelsea fella, leap from his seat and punch a copper. I think he probably regretted that one! Not so good i heard a girl working in the refreshments had her top ripped open. Deffo wrong un behaviour there. Both massive turnouts, but the earlier one was more impressive as we were so close to relegation and were getting 8000 crowds at home!

 

[Cobham]

Chelseaboy, you're absolutely right it was Saturday, just looked it up. I stand corrected and surprised. I would have sworn it was midweek. Probably thought it was a night game because I can clearly remember it being dark when I was on the grassy bank in the corner after the match looking out over the wall and watching Leeds run around outside. But then I suppose it would be dark by that time at that time of year.

Good point about the turnouts too but I didn't see the first one as I only started going away towards the end of that season.

 

[BlueBeard]

I've made previous posts about this game in the past, but can't seem to find them, so this is for bluegraham and anyone else who may be interested.


Chelsea v Leeds United, Division 2
Stamford Bridge, 28 April 1984

The season was coming to an end, and with four games left to play Chelsea were vying for promotion along with Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle and Man.City. Although they weren't in the promotion race, Leeds at home was always a big game, with no love lost between either the fans or the players, and this day was certainly no different.

Chelsea fans had been in excellent form in recent weeks, especially in the away games at Newcastle, Cambridge, Portsmouth, and in particular at Cardiff. We were playing well and enjoying ourselves, as were the team.

The line-ups for the match: -

Chelsea - Niedzwiecki, Lee, Pates, McLaughlin, Jones, Nevin, Bumstead (Canoville), Spackman, Thomas, Dixon, Speedie

Leeds - Harvey, Irwin, Hamson, Watson, Aspin, Dickinson, Wright, Sellars, McCluskey, Ritchie, Lorimer, Gavin
 

Classic mid-80's Chelsea line-up, but I've got to be honest, most of the Leeds team I'd never heard of, apart from Harvey & Lorimer who both played against us in the FA Cup Final replay in 1970, so must have been well into their 40's, Irwin who went on to play for the Mancs, and McCluskey who used to play for Septic.

Anyway, the official attendance was 33,447, and the stadium was buzzing. There had been skirmishes between the fans before the game, but nothing special. The Shed were in full voice, with the West Stand and Gate 13 of the East Stand also offering fine vocal support. I was in Gate 13, not too far from the Leeds support in the North Stand, where they were clustered beneath the newish electronic scoreboard with their whippets and cloth caps. To be fair they had a decent turnout for this game, and were singing right through the match.

I won't bore you with match details, apart from to say that we were 3-0 up at half-time, and ended up winning 5-0 with goals from Paul Canoville, Micky Thomas and a hat-trick from King Kerry. The crowd were going berserk and there were numerous minor pitch invasions, nothing serious, just goal celebrations really.

Anyway...when the final whistle went, it seemed that every Chelsea fan in the ground charged onto the pitch to celebrate. We in Gate 13 did the same, but instead of heading for the centre of the pitch like the rest we tried to reach the North Stand where the northern scum were smashing up our electronic scoreboard. They were going mental, as were we, but we were stopped by the police, and I remember leaning against one of the goalposts and trying to persuade a copper to let us through. He laughed and said "no chance", but then added, with a twinkle in his eye "just wait, they're going to get what they deserve", or words to that effect.

Sure enough, a few minutes later a large contingent of Old Bill, or to be more accurate, the SPG (Special Patrol Group) headed across the terracing. They were wearing protective clothing and toting shields and batons, and they just waded into the Leeds fans with no hesitation at all - battered the f*ck out of 'em, basically. It's not often you'd have seen the Chelsea mob cheering on the police, but we did that day. We still tried to get through the police corden so that we could join in the fun, but to no avail, so we celebrated our win instead.

As what remained of the northerners were moved/scraped out of the North Stand, we decided we'd try and catch them before they got to Kings Cross in order to discuss the match, tactics, etc... Unfortunately the Leeds fans weren't too interested, and seemed to be in a hurry to get home - can't think why, maybe there was karoake on down at the Wheeltappers & Shunters Club

All in all, a satisfying day, which could only have been improved by us beating the crap out of the Leeds fans, but we couldn't complain really.

Six days later thousands of us went up to Maine Road to watch Chelsea beat Man.City 2-0 on a Friday night. On the Monday we beat Barnsley 3-1 at home, and then of course we had the climax to the season - winning 1-0 at Grimsby!

What a day, what a season!

 

[Zola]

Nice posts lads 

 

[cfc kingy]

Not sure if this is the 82/83 or the 83/84 game,but that side terrace and the seats above was chelsea.,.Went up to Leeds in 1978 on the special and although don't remember much about the day up there, about 8 of us came out of kings cross and was walking to our van we had parked up a back st when a pub full of west ham attacked us,one of my mates were stabbed and as bricks were coming over our heads as we was legging it i trod on one and nearly went down.That has always stuck in my mind when we play Leeds,All the way there and back with no trouble only to get done on your own manor.Still me and my mate lived to tell the tale and i still look back with fond memories of those days.

http://imageshack.us'>ImageShack.us

 

[Chelseaboy]

That looks like the hooped 83/84 kit mate, so i`d say that was the 1-1 promotion year. Also that dirty c**t Kenny Burns is in the pic. Did Dixon with an elbow off the ball, waaay of the ball in fact. They were on the half way line and the ball was in the penalty area!!

 

[cfcblue]

Not sure if this is the 82/83 or the 83/84 game,but that side terrace and the seats above was chelsea.,.Went up to Leeds in 1978 on the special and although don't remember much about the day up there, about 8 of us came out of kings cross and was walking to our van we had parked up a back st when a pub full of west ham attacked us,one of my mates were stabbed and as bricks were coming over our heads as we was legging it i trod on one and nearly went down.That has always stuck in my mind when we play Leeds,All the way there and back with no trouble only to get done on your own manor.Still me and my mate lived to tell the tale and i still look back with fond memories of those days.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Yep, that's the huge CFC away mob at L**ds! Top to bottom! (both pics) ... Looked amazing when in complete unison the whole lot stood up together for "10 men went to mow" ... this was the Year also that our mob completely swamped the likes of Man City, Cardiff & Pompey away ... :O)

 

[bluegraham]

I've made previous posts about this game in the past, but can't seem to find them, so this is for bluegraham and anyone else who may be interested.Chelsea v Leeds United, Division 2

Stamford Bridge, 28 April 1984

The season was coming to an end, and with four games left to play Chelsea were vying for promotion along with Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle and Man.City. Although they weren't in the promotion race, Leeds at home was always a big game, with no love lost between either the fans or the players, and this day was certainly no different.

Chelsea fans had been in excellent form in recent weeks, especially in the away games at Newcastle, Cambridge, Portsmouth, and in particular at Cardiff. We were playing well and enjoying ourselves, as were the team.

The line-ups for the match: -

Chelsea - Niedzwiecki, Lee, Pates, McLaughlin, Jones, Nevin, Bumstead (Canoville), Spackman, Thomas, Dixon, Speedie

Leeds - Harvey, Irwin, Hamson, Watson, Aspin, Dickinson, Wright, Sellars, McCluskey, Ritchie, Lorimer, Gavin

Classic mid-80's Chelsea line-up, but I've got to be honest, most of the Leeds team I'd never heard of, apart from Harvey & Lorimer who both played against us in the FA Cup Final replay in 1970, so must have been well into their 40's, Irwin who went on to play for the Mancs, and McCluskey who used to play for Septic.

Anyway, the official attendance was 33,447, and the stadium was buzzing. There had been skirmishes between the fans before the game, but nothing special. The Shed were in full voice, with the West Stand and Gate 13 of the East Stand also offering fine vocal support. I was in Gate 13, not too far from the Leeds support in the North Stand, where they were clustered beneath the newish electronic scoreboard with their whippets and cloth caps. To be fair they had a decent turnout for this game, and were singing right through the match.

I won't bore you with match details, apart from to say that we were 3-0 up at half-time, and ended up winning 5-0 with goals from Paul Canoville, Micky Thomas and a hat-trick from King Kerry. The crowd were going berserk and there were numerous minor pitch invasions, nothing serious, just goal celebrations really.

Anyway...when the final whistle went, it seemed that every Chelsea fan in the ground charged onto the pitch to celebrate. We in Gate 13 did the same, but instead of heading for the centre of the pitch like the rest we tried to reach the North Stand where the northern scum were smashing up our electronic scoreboard. They were going mental, as were we, but we were stopped by the police, and I remember leaning against one of the goalposts and trying to persuade a copper to let us through. He laughed and said "no chance", but then added, with a twinkle in his eye "just wait, they're going to get what they deserve", or words to that effect.

Sure enough, a few minutes later a large contingent of Old Bill, or to be more accurate, the SPG (Special Patrol Group) headed across the terracing. They were wearing protective clothing and toting shields and batons, and they just waded into the Leeds fans with no hesitation at all - battered the f*ck out of 'em, basically. It's not often you'd have seen the Chelsea mob cheering on the police, but we did that day. We still tried to get through the police corden so that we could join in the fun, but to no avail, so we celebrated our win instead.

As what remained of the northerners were moved/scraped out of the North Stand, we decided we'd try and catch them before they got to Kings Cross in order to discuss the match, tactics, etc... Unfortunately the Leeds fans weren't too interested, and seemed to be in a hurry to get home - can't think why, maybe there was karoake on down at the Wheeltappers & Shunters Club

All in all, a satisfying day, which could only have been improved by us beating the crap out of the Leeds fans, but we couldn't complain really.

Six days later thousands of us went up to Maine Road to watch Chelsea beat Man.City 2-0 on a Friday night. On the Monday we beat Barnsley 3-1 at home, and then of course we had the climax to the season - winning 1-0 at Grimsby!

What a day, what a season!

Gentleman thanks. Love hearing the stories from the past my dad trys to tell me but he's not a great story teller either that or he was to pissed to remember. Thanks again bluebeard.

 

[MelbourneBlue]

... this was the Year also that our mob completely swamped the likes of Man City, Cardiff & Pompey away ... :O)

The first 2 have admitted as much in their books.  Not sure if Sylvester at Pompey rated us, he is so far up Cass Pennant's rear end he probably didn't! 

 

[cfcblue]

The first 2 have admitted as much in their books.  Not sure if Sylvester at Pompey rated us, he is so far up Cass Pennant's rear end he probably didn't! 

I took the train down to the South coast that day and the CFC turn-out was just superb! In fact, Pompey admit in their book that it was Chelsea's day that day too :O) ... During those 'back in the day' years Cardiff, Pompey, Leeds & Man City never reciprocated the massive turn-outs we took to them ...