Leeds United: The Wilderness Years 1975-1988

This fanzine-style series of films charts the less celebrated era between the Glory Years of Don Revie, and the renaissance under Howard Wilkinson. It is not a Greatest Hits compilation, but a look at the Good, the Bad & the Ugly of following Leeds United from Paris in 1975, through the management of Armfield, Stein, Adamson, Clarke, Gray and Bremner. Commencing in the days before domestic vhs recordings, these films aim to fill the gap in commercial video releases, using contemporary music and rare film footage. It is not a commercial venture but a fan project, a labour of love and a cathartic journey.

YouTube - youtube.com/c/lufcfilms
Vimeo - vimeo.com/lufcfilms
Twitter - twitter.com/lufcfilms
Facebook - facebook.com/lufcfilms

Still on the lookout for video of matches from 1984 onwards. Happy to trade, swap, digitise so we all end up seeing these in best quality. In particular, does anyone have copies of the 1980s Telvista match recordings?

Trailer

Trailer for the series.

Music: "We are Leeds" by The Crew (1990, Chris Speight, Steve Speight)

1: Prologue

An entirely subjective view of the 1975 European Cup Final between Leeds and Bayern Munich, with rare contemporary footage of fans and analysis.

2: After Paris

A short film covering the repercussions after Paris and the first part of the 1975-76 season.

3: The Old Enemy

October 1975. Leeds vs Man Utd - fans, police, match and lots of running about…

4: Stormin' Norman

Part three of the 1975-76 season. Including a memorable match for Norman Hunter. Viewing deemed "age restricted" apparently... due to Norman's right hook.

5: Maverick McKenzie

The fourth and final part of the 1975-76 season. Including the many talents of Duncan McKenzie.

6: Hello Goodbye

Part one of the 1976-77 season. with some familiar names arriving and departing.

7: Ugly

Part two of the 1976-77 season, featuring Leeds' match against Manchester United on the 2nd October 1976.

Some of this film was shot by West Yorkshire Police, the full version of which can be found on the Yorkshire Film Archive and BFI websites.

8: Changes

Part three of the 1976-77 season, covering October 1976 to November 1977.

Norman Hunter departs, Ray Hankin arrives and David McNiven finds a goalscoring streak.

9: The Visitors

Part four of the 1976-77 season, featuring the FA Cup 5th Round match at home to Manchester City.

Original film footage lifted from the documentary CupTie (credits: Gerry Troyna, Paul Berriff, Keith Massey, Bryan Jones).

10: Sexy Football

Part five of the 1976-77 season. Love is in the air, as Leeds strive to keep the season alive.

11: Hillsborough 77

Part six of the 1976-77 season. 1977 FA Cup Semi-Final Special.

12: Ray of Light

Part one of the 1977-78 season. A royal visit, an England departure, and Ray Hankin hits form.

13: The Mighty Flynn

Part two of the 1977-78 season. Dodgy journalism, a trip to the Bridge, and a new midfield dynamo.

14: This match will not be abandoned

Part three of the 1977-78 season. FA Cup forays, fights and farewells.

15: Fences, Frost & Forest

Part four of the 1977-78 season. The end of Jimmy Armfield's reign.

16: Jock

Part one of the 1978-79 season. Jock Stein's brief stay as manager.
(title page wrongly labelled as Episode 15!!)

17: Tony Tony Currie

Part two of the 1978-79 season. Jimmy Adamson takes over as manager, and Tony Currie's wonder goal.

18: Saints & Sinners

Part three of the 1978-79 season. Festive gifts, snow hits the fixtures, and League Cup Semi-Finals against Southampton.

19: Nuts

Part four of the 1978-79 season. A seventh match against West Brom, Midlands misadventures, and Leeds are on the telly again.

20: Jasper

Part five of the 1978-79 season. Kevin Hird signs for a club record fee, and Ray Hankin puts his foot down.

21: Restricted view

Part six of the 1978-79 season. The caging of Elland Road is complete, as Leeds target a European return.

22: The Peacocks

Part one of the 1979-80 season. A new badge, bye bye Tony, a bad night at Highbury and a burning bus.

23: Bloody Students

Part two of the 1979-80 season. A brief UEFA Cup run and discontent at home.

24: Young, gifted and Leeds

Part three of the 1979-80 season. The emergence of Terry Connor and John Lukic, and a bad day out for Byron Stevenson.

25: Kop Out

Part four of the 1979-80 season. Adamson's potential Peruvians, Frank's back, and the natives are getting restless.

26: Doldrums

Part five of the 1979-80 season. Declining gates, supporter apathy but a stirring season finish.

27: Adamson Out

Part one of the 1980-81 season. Last days for manager Jimmy Adamson, but Alex Sabella brings some Argentinian magic.

28: Sniffer's Back

Part two of the 1980-81 season. Allan Clarke takes over as manager, and cracks the whip.

29: Smash & Grab

Part three of the 1980-81 season. A late winner at Old Trafford and the redemption of John Lukic.

30: Sibling Strife

Part four of the 1980-81 season. A family reunion, falling attendances and Allan Clarke threatens to quit.

31: Balcombe in the Middle

Part one of the 1981-82 season. An inauspicious start to the season as Allan Clarke looks for a striker and finds one close to home.

32: Kenny's gonna get ya

Part two of the 1981-82 season. Allan Clarke strengthens the defence, another young striker emerges, and Leeds enter the video market.

33: Frozen

Part three of the 1981-82 season. A cold wind blows through Elland Road.

34: Oh Frankie Frankie

Part four of the 1981-82 season. Still grim, but with the welcome arrival of FrankWorthington.

35: The Dying of the Light

Part five of the 1981-82 season. A dramatic end to the season.

36: Back in the Jug Agane

Part one of the 1982-83 season. Leeds adjust to life back in the 2nd Division.

37: Please Behave

Part two of the 1982-83 season. Chelsea away, lots of Geordies and Kevin Keegan is welcomed back to Yorkshire.

38: Make United Great Again

Part three of the 1982-83 season. Falling attendances, financial constraints and a gradual changing of the guard.

39: Arsenal Ad Nauseam

Part four of the 1982-83 season. Derby disorder and an Arsenal cup marathon.

40: Eddie's Nadir

Part one of the 1983-84 season. Leeds reach the lowest point of the 80s.

41: The Exorcist pt II

Part two of the 1983-84 season. Elland Road ground-sharers Hunslet FC seek to lift a gypsy curse, whilst Eddie Gray takes more practical measures.

42: Plucked

Part three of the 1983-84 season. Superstition reigns and a cup exit at Scunthorpe.

43: Ken's Scoreboard

Part four of the 1983-84 season. Ritchie's arm, Lorimer's record, and Ken Bates gets upset.

Use of this footage is on the basis of "fair use" as determined under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, and "fair dealing" under Section 29 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, allowing for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching and research. The project is non-profit.