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| The main rivals at the top of the League table were Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, and it was obvious that only they could stop United from taking the Championship, but of the last 10 fixtures that Leeds faced, seven were away from home, including visits to all three of their adversaries - a real test of the team's calibre if they were to get through that lot and finish on top. At Highbury, Mick Jones and Johnny Giles scored first-half goals to win the clash with Arsenal 2-1 and a goalless draw resulted when United travelled to meet Everton, so that when they next went to Merseyside on Monday, 28th April, 1969 Leeds needed one point to make certain of winning the title, but they had to get it against a powerful Liverpool team who knew that a victory for them could still take the honour to Anfield. |
April 1969: A famous night for Leeds United as Jack Charlton joins in an attack on the Liverpool goal at a packed Anfield where United forced a goalless draw to win the League title. |
| In front of a packed house that generated an intense atmosphere, the Reds threw everything except the kitchen sink at the Whites who, in turn, soaked up the pressure like a sponge and at the final whistle were the worthy Champions of the Football League, an achievement that was given the seal of approval from those incredible 25,000 people at one end of that ground known as the Kop. For they generously applauded the United players when they went down to them and in so doing highlighted the most memorable night in the history of Leeds United.
Just 48 hours later, the new Champions ran onto the Elland Road pitch to a tremendous ovation from 46,508, and then proceeded to try and establish a new First Division points record of 67, by beating a Nottingham Forest side who had sportingly lined up to applaud Leeds onto the field. Forest put up a great fight, were close to scoring once or twice and only six minutes away from forcing a draw, when Johnny Giles controlled a difficult high cross from the left, pivoted, and shot all in one movement, then saw the ball drop into the bottom corner of the net to win the match, set the record, and leave the crowd almost hysterical. After that came the presentation of the Championship trophy itself to skipper Billy Bremner and a lap of honour from the players, which produced another tumultuous reception from the fans, who afterwards went home to think about it all. Was it true that dear old Leeds United, for so long only good for a laugh were really Football League Champions? |
 April 1969: Two days after clinching the League Championship United met Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. Here Johnny Giles (on ground, left) scores the only goal of the game enabling Leeds to set a new record of 67 points for the First Division. |
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