Leeds United won the old first division league title 25 years ago today.
Lee Chapman in action for Leeds United
Former Whites star Lee Chapman played a key role for Leeds during their 1992 league title triumph, scoring 16 goals in 38 appearances, and he opened up to the Yorkshire Evening Post regarding the awkward moments when cameras filmed him and his teammates as they watched Man United lose to Liverpool in a game that subsequently handed the title to Leeds.
That incredible achievement has turned out to be the last trophy that the West Yorkshire outfit have won, and they have suffered some miserable times since then, although Garry Monk seems to have them on the right track once again.
Before the days of technology, players had to keep an eye on other teams’ results via teletext, or even telephone, and when speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Chapman described the moment when ITV sent cameras to his own home, to capture his reaction to the outcome of United’s game at Anfield, along with teammates David Batty, Eric Cantona and Gary McAllister:
Former Leeds pair Eric Cantona and Tony Dorigo lift the 1992 Charity Shield
“It was the early days of live TV, and you could tell that none of us knew what we were supposed to do. ITV wanted a party but it was all very surreal and awkward. At one stage someone said ‘can you celebrate with some champagne?’ I had to tell them we didn’t have any in the house. My house was in a small village and they rolled in with a big, 30-foot mast and all this camera gear. We watched the game at Anfield and every now and then they’d cut to us from the studio, looking for a reaction. Looking back I don’t think it captured the moment. But then I don’t think the moment had really sunk in.”
Leeds fans will look back on that day 25 years ago with great pride, and a sense of yearning. They will undoubtedly want, and expect, more success, and despite their side’s recent struggles, Garry Monk has brought a feeling of stability back to Elland Road, and he is certainly building something exciting for the future.
It is just remains to be seen how patient Leeds fans are wiling to be.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
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