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THE PRESTIGIOUS POST of England manager was vacant in the summer of 1974, and the logical choice to fill it was Don Revie, who, after much thought as to whether to remain at Elland Road and attempt to fulfil his one unfulfilled ambition there - winning the European Cup - decided instead to make the difficult break and take charge of the England team. Leeds United then proceeded to astound many when they appointed as Revie's successor Brian Clough, who had often been among United's fiercest critics in the past, and immediately the club was thrown into a turmoil with rumours flying around daily about transfers in and out of the club, as well as unrest among the players and back-room staff. After only 44 extremely eventful days Clough was sacked, and left the club near the bottom of the First Division table, with spirit at a low ebb, the opinions of the supporters split forcibly down the middle, and almost £400,000 worse off financially as a result of transfer fee outlays and a golden handshake !

Before United secured another team manager, they had to play their most important match of season 1974-75 so far, when F.C. Zurich came to Elland Road in the first round, first leg of the European Champions Cup, and considering the confused state of the club at that time Leeds did well to conjure up a fine performance and win 4-1. When the return game took place in Switzerland United had a new man in charge, as Jimmy Armfield had been appointed, and although Zurich won the match 2-1 it was not enough to prevent Leeds from winning the tie, so giving Armfield and his men some encouragement for the future.

During Brian Clough's brief reign at Elland Road he had purchased - for a club record fee reputed to be some £240,000 - Duncan McKenzie a skilful if highly individualistic forward, as well as John O'Hare and John McGovern who were two players unable to command regular first team places at Derby, but for whom Clough had paid a joint six figure fee - so Jimmy Armfield inherited an excessively large senior squad when he took over.

Of the players who had taken part in Leeds United's promotion success way back in 1963-64, Paul Reaney, Terry Cooper, Billy Bremner, Norman Hunter, Paul Madeley and Johnny Giles still remained, which was remarkable, as probably no other club in Britain had so many players in their side who had been playing first team football with them 12 seasons earlier. It was a tremendous tribute to the consistency of these great campaigners that, although they were now approaching the twilight of their careers, they were still able to compete at the very highest levels and for them the most motivating competition now was undoubtedly the European Cup, for like Don Revie they had felt for some time that to win that supreme honour would be the cherry to top off their distinguished careers.