Today I'm going back 43 years to 1979 and Leeds United's First Division fixture against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) played at Elland Road with 20,121 in attendance.
Despite the age of today's featured programme, I don't think that it looks in any way old fashioned with the colour action shot adorning the cover. The twenty pence cover price is a bit of a giveaway as to its age mind. The programme cover star is Leeds full back Frank Gray appearing to lose the ball to a sliding Peter Taylor in United's game against Spurs earlier in the season.
Frank Gray, younger brother of Leeds legend Eddie Gray, started out at Leeds in 1972 and had established himself in the side in preference to Trevor Cherry just in time for Leeds appearance in the 1975 European Cup Final. Sadly for Gray, Leeds were coming to the end of their golden era and their classic side was breaking up. In 1979, Gray, who had played for Brian Clough during his infamous 44-day stint at Elland Road, was signed by Clough for Nottingham Forest and he would go on to play for Forest in his second European Cup Final in 1980, becoming the first British player to appear in a European Cup final for two different English clubs. In 1981, the Leeds manager at the time, Allan Clarke, brought him back to Elland Road but was sacked at the end of the same season after seeing Leeds relegated and was replaced by Frank's brother Eddie. Leeds were unable to gain a rapid return to the top flight and, in 1985, Gray left for Sunderland. In total Gray made 644 Football League appearances scoring 48 goals plus he won 32 caps for Scotland, scoring one goal (against Holland in 1982). Gray now lives and works in Australia.
There had been much managerial turbulence at Elland Road that season with respected football figure Jimmy Armfield having been sacked before the season's start in favour of the incoming Jock Stein. Stein lasted just 43 days in the job however before being enticed by the offer of the Scotland job and he was replaced by Jimmy Adamson whose task was to steady the ship. The featured match was a seven goal thriller with Leeds going in 1-2 down at the break following goals from Mick Walsh and Glenn Roeder. The Leeds goal in that first half had been scored by Arthur Graham. The second period was a completely different matter however as Leeds scored three times via Ray Hankin (2) and Trevor Cherry to win 4-3 (with the third Rangers goal coming from Martin Busby).
Jimmy Adamson did a good job with Leeds that season, taking them to an eventually fifth spot and qualification for the UEFA Cup, 18 points behind Champions Liverpool. QPR, managed by Steve Burtenshaw, ended the season in 20th place (of 22) and were relegated along with Birmingham City and wooden spoonists Chelsea.
CRB Match No. 44
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