Leeds United unveil commemorative plaques for FA Cup winning team
Former players attend event at Elland Road.
Leeds United in partnership with the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust are pleased to announce the unveiling of 16 commemorative plaques to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our 1972 winning FA Cup team.
On the 6th of May 1972 Leeds United were crowned FA Cup winners at Wembley Stadium following a 1-0 win over holders Arsenal, thanks to an Allan Clarke goal in the 53rd minute.
To help celebrate the milestone, the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust have been working in line with acclaimed sports artist Paul Trevillion on the special plaques that are now in situ in the East Stand Concourse, facing the Centenary Pavilion. These 16 different plaques ensure that each of the players have been honoured for their achievement, along with the hit record ‘Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!’ commonly known as ‘Marching On Together' also being recognised.
Individually featured on the wall, supporters will be able to find David Harvey, Paul Reaney, Paul Madeley, Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, Terry Cooper, Peter Lorimer, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, Johnny Giles, Eddie Gray, Mick Bates, Les Cocker and Don Revie.
Over the last year, the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, along with the LUSCOS (Scandinavia) and LUAmericas supporter’s groups, have worked collectively on this commemorative project and to part-fund the plaques alongside the club.
Leeds United were delighted to have Eddie Gray, Paul Reaney, David Harvey, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones and Johnny Giles all in attendance at a special unveiling event on Thursday afternoon, with relatives of those who have unfortunately passed away also invited to attend. The six former players were on hand to see their plaques for the very first time and pose for photos together as we celebrate their incredible achievement that took place 50 years ago.
During the exclusive event, Eddie Gray spoke to LUTV, and he said: “It has been 50 years since we won the FA Cup and that competition meant everything to us, back then. Our manager, Don Revie, he always wanted to win it and so did the players. We had lost a couple of finals before that against Liverpool and Chelsea, so to beat Arsenal in that cup final meant a lot to everyone at the football club at that time, all the staff, everyone, because we hadn’t won the cup at that time, and we haven’t won it since either! So, it meant a lot and it is something that the players who played in the game will never forget.
“It’s brilliant to have chances like today to meet up and discuss our memories, reminisce the good times, most of us can’t believe it has been 50 years! There are six of us around now, me, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, Paul Reaney, Johnny Giles and David Harvey and it’s always nice to catch up, happy memories for sure!
"These plaques are a great accolade for the players, they're here where the supporters will walk past them every match day and that's fantastic. It's a really lovely gesture!"
Peter Emmerson, Chairman of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, added: “We’ve been working on this project for over a year now with the help and support of some passionate fans, most notably sports artist and Sock tag inventor Paul Trevillion, who has individually drawn the players and brought the plaques to life.
“Supporters groups LUSCOS and LUAmericas have also been integral to the project and have part-funded the plaques with us, alongside the club. We would like to thank Leeds United who have really supported the vision of commemorating the 50th year from the start, ensuring we give the players the recognition they deserve. It’s a proud moment to get these plaques in situ and for fans to come along and enjoy them – until the world stops going round.”
The Supporters’ Groups have also created a limited-edition Clarke 1-0! 72 T-shirt, costing £16 with all profits going to Leeds Fans Foodbank. Leeds United Supporters' Trust | Merchandise (awesomedistro.com)
There will be further plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1972 cup win along with the 30th anniversary of the 1991/92 league title ahead of our final home game of the season against Brighton on Sunday afternoon, so please keep an eye out on Leedsunited.com.
