On this day 36 years ago, Leeds United made one of the most important decisions in the club’s recent memory. Having sacked legendary midfielder Billy Bremner, they poached Howard Wilkinson from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Wilkinson would take Leeds from Second Division strugglers to First Division title-winners in just four years, cementing his status as one of the club’s greatest ever managers. That title-winning squad has some very memorable names, but what about the players who kicked off Wilkinson’s reign?
Leeds’ first game under their new manager was a 3-1 League Cup win at home to Peterborough United on October 12. Take a look below to see what the starting-XI from that day got up to after getting Wilkinson’s spell up and running.
7. Mid: David Batty
Won the First Division with his boyhood club in 1992 but was reluctantly sold to Blackburn Rovers the following year, with Wilkinson needing funds to rebuild his squad. Famously refused a Premier League winners medal after only playing five times during the 199495 campaign due to a broken leg. Returned to Leeds, via Newcastle, in 1998 and remained there until his 2004 retirement. Has lived away from the spotlight since, despite the best efforts of fans to find the cult hero. | Getty Images
8. Mid: John Sheridan
Played a whopping 261 times for the Whites but left for Nottingham Forest in 1989 after a fallout with Wilkinson. Has enjoyed an incredible career in management with a 21-year spell across 10 different clubs, the most recent of which was at Oldham Athletic in 2022. | Getty Images
9. Mid: Vince Hilaire
Spent just one full season at Leeds before joining Stoke City, initially on loan and then permanently. Retired in 1993 after spells at Exeter City and Waterlooville. Photo: Russell Cheyne
10. Att: Bobby Davison
Was at Leeds until 1992 but was on loan during the First Division title-winning campaign. Spells at the likes of Leicester, Rotherham and Guiseley followed, with the striker retiring at the latter and moving into management there. An unusual coaching career ended at Eccleshill United, with a year-long spell at Ferencvaros between. Returned to Leeds as a youth coach for a short spell in 2010. | Getty Images
11. Att: Ian Baird
Baird only left Leeds for Portsmouth in 1987 but returned a year later before joining Middlesbrough in January 1990. Stayed in the UK until a surprising 1997 move to Hong Kong, where he played for and then managed Instant-Dict. Has continued in management since and was most recently assistant as Havant & Waterlooville until 2023. | Getty Images