Leeds United History for Kids: When Leeds Were Founded and Facts Young Fans Will Love

In short

• Leeds United history begins on 17 October 1919, when a brand new club was formed after the old Leeds City club was shut down.
• Leeds play in all white because manager Don Revie copied Real Madrid in the early 1960s.
• Leeds have been champions of England three times: in 1968-69, 1973-74 and 1991-92.
• Jack Charlton made the most appearances (773), and Peter Lorimer scored the most goals (238).

When was Leeds United founded? Leeds United was founded on 17 October 1919, after the city’s old club, Leeds City, was shut down by the Football League. That makes Leeds United 107 years old. Leeds United history has had huge highs and some tough lows since then, from three league titles to a spell in the third tier and back again.

This guide is for young Leeds fans and the grown-ups who’d like to keep up with them. Every fact here has been checked, so it’s ready for a school project too.

When was Leeds United founded?

Leeds United was founded on 17 October 1919. It was a fresh start for football in the city, because the old club, Leeds City, had been forcibly disbanded by the Football League that year over illegal payments made to players during the First World War.

The new club joined the Football League on 31 May 1920. It’s been playing at Elland Road ever since it was formed.

How old is Leeds United?

Leeds United is 107 years old, founded in 1919. For a child doing a school project, that is the number they usually need alongside the founding date.

Leeds United history: the quick fact file

Why do Leeds United play in white?

Leeds United play in white because of manager Don Revie. In the early 1960s he changed the club’s kit to all white, in the style of Real Madrid, the most famous team in Europe at the time.

That’s where the nickname the Whites comes from. The badge features the White Rose of York, a symbol of Yorkshire.

Why are Leeds called the Peacocks?

Leeds are called the Peacocks because of the history of their ground. Elland Road’s original name was the Old Peacock Ground, and the nickname has stuck around for more than a century.

Elland Road, Leeds United’s home since the club was formed in 1919. Image: Lufc83, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Today Elland Road holds 37,633 fans, and the club’s anthem, “Marching On Together”, rings around it on match days.

Leeds United history: the Revie years

The most successful period in Leeds United history came under Don Revie, who managed the club from 1961 to 1974. He built his team around young players and turned Leeds into one of the best sides in Europe.

The statue of Don Revie outside Elland Road. He managed Leeds from 1961 to 1974. Image: Jake, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Under Revie, Leeds won:

• The league title in 1968-69 and 1973-74.
• The League Cup in 1968, beating Arsenal in the final.
• The FA Cup in 1972, also beating Arsenal.
• Two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, in 1968 and 1971.

They also reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1970, where they lost to Celtic.

When did Leeds last win the league?

Leeds last won the league in 1991-92. It was the final season of the old First Division, before the Premier League began, which makes Leeds the last champions of the old top flight.

That gave Leeds three league titles in total: 1968-69, 1973-74 and 1991-92.

What happened to Leeds in 2007?

In 2007, Leeds United dropped into the third tier of English football and entered administration on 4 May 2007, because of serious money problems.

It was one of the hardest times in the club’s history. Leeds fought back, though, and in 2020 they returned to the Premier League under manager Marcelo Bielsa, after 16 years away. They won the Championship title again in 2024-25.

Who are Leeds United’s record breakers?

Leeds United’s biggest record breakers are Jack Charlton, who made 773 appearances between 1952 and 1973, and Peter Lorimer, the record goalscorer with 238 goals.

Charlton spent his whole career at Elland Road. That kind of loyalty is rare in football.

What are the best Leeds United facts for kids?

The best Leeds United facts for kids are the ones that surprise grown-ups too. Here are 10 to try:

1. Leeds United was founded on 17 October 1919.
2. The club replaced an older team, Leeds City.
3. Leeds have played at Elland Road since they were formed.
4. Elland Road was once called the Old Peacock Ground.
5. The all-white kit was copied from Real Madrid.
6. The badge shows the White Rose of York.
7. Leeds won the League Cup and the FA Cup by beating Arsenal.
8. Leeds were the last champions of the old First Division.
9. Jack Charlton played 773 games for the club.
10. Peter Lorimer scored 238 goals for Leeds.

If your child only remembers one, make it number 5. It’s a great story about how one manager changed the way a club looks forever.

A Leeds United quiz for the family

Turn these facts into a quick quiz before the next match:

1. In what year was Leeds United founded?
2. Which famous club inspired the all-white kit?
3. What was Elland Road’s original name?
4. Which team did Leeds beat in the 1972 FA Cup final?
5. Who is Leeds’ record goalscorer?

Answers: 1919, Real Madrid, the Old Peacock Ground, Arsenal, and Peter Lorimer.

Leeds United history timeline for school projects

A gift for a young Leeds fan

If your child dreams of scoring at Elland Road, our personalised Leeds United book puts them in the famous all-white kit as the hero of the match. They’re not reading about the star player. They ARE the star player.

Choose their name, their look and their shirt number, and we do the rest. Every illustration is hand-drawn by a real artist, with no AI, ever, and every book is printed and packed by us, in-house.

For more ideas, see our Leeds gift guide and our Leeds Christmas picks. And for readers of every level, try our guide to football books by age.