1965 - Leeds United
                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

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Player profiles  out of the Wembley Match Day Programme

 

GARY SPRAKE, Goalkeeper  Had his 20th birthday just four weeks ago, yet is a veteran in experience of around 150 top class games.  Played his first match for Leeds, his only club, at 16 when he was flown to Southampton in an injury emergency. Has been first choice for Leeds for three seasons now and is recognised by Wales as their number one also.  Six feet tall, strongly built, agile, able and daring.  His outstanding asset is his ability to take the hardest shot, the fastest cross cleanly and clear it quickly.

PAUL REANEY, Right Back Born here in London 20 years ago though you'd never guess it from his accent— reet Yorkshire.  He left for Leeds at the age of four months and has been with the Elland Road club all his career. Quick-tackling, capable, defensive-minded—as you would expect for a player converted by Don Revie from centre half—and usually orthodox. . But not always.  Watch for the occasional dramatic dash up his wing, either supporting or starting an attack.  Height 5 ft. 9 in., weight 11st. 4 Ib. Under-23 "cap."

WILLIE BELL, Left Back An amateur with the Scottish club Queens Park who turned professional when he signed for Leeds in 1960.  Won a Scottish amateur " cap " and was offered a free transfer by Leeds—until Don Revie took over.  He converted Willie, a wing-half who could double at centre-half, into a full back and neither has ever regretted it. Bell's height, 5 ft. II in., his weight, just under 12 St., and his natural toughness make this 26-year-old an uncompromising character in a tight situation.

BILLY BREMNER, Right Half One of the outstanding individual talents in the team. The speed of a winger—which he was. The craft of a creative inside forward—which he was. The bite, ball play and accuracy of a top class international wing half—which he surely one day will be. Has already captained Scotland's Under-23's. The complete player in defence and attack with a fiery temperament to match his hair. Only 5 ft. 5 in., and 10 st. 3 Ib., but could lick his weight in wild-cats.

JACK CHARLTON, Centre Half Six feet two inches—much of which appears to be taken up by the longest legs in the business.  The only survivor of the Leeds dark days.  He has been with the club for 13 of his 29 years. Brother of Bobby Chariton—" But you can call him ' the other Chariton' now" says this cheerful complete professional, capped by England a couple of weeks ago. His ability in the air makes him a more than useful man to have around in BOTH penalty areas.  Has a double-figures total for Leeds this season.  Watch his surge forward when they win corners.

NORMAN HUNTER, Left Half  A " late developer " who won neither schoolboy nor youth honours yet suddenly blossomed into an outstanding talent, already recognised by England under-23 and the Football League and must be in line for a World Cup cap.  Still only 20, but reads a game with exceptional maturity.  A disciplined, determined, dedicated youngster who seldom strays outside his own half, but when he does—watch out. This boy can shoot. Another six footer weighing almost twelve stones.

JOHNNY GILES, Outside Right Signed two seasons ago from Manchester United for £35,000 when he was already an established Eire international and played in the Cup Final two years ago in United's winning team against Leicester.  Fast, tricky and since joining Leeds has become tenacious too.  Always willing to drop back and work in patrol areas normally occupied by full backs or wing halves. Very accurate passer of a ball and has a shot of startling power for someone so small—only 5 ft. 5 in., 10 st. 6 Ib.

JIM STORRIE, Inside Right The most under-rated man in the Leeds attack, maybe in the whole team. This Scot, signed from Airdrie for £18,000 three years ago when he was Scotland's top scorer, is the man who grafts unselfishly, decoys willingly, taking on the unglamorous, demanding job of unsettling the opposition with his hustle and muscle.  Looks ungainly in full flight, but that splay-footed stride eats up the ground at great speed and he packs both power and accuracy into his shooting.  5 ft. 9 in., II st. 6 Ib.

ALAN PEACOCK, Centre Forward Rated--rightly-the best header of a ball in Britain. A man who can lead and link. But perhaps his greatest assets are courage and persistence on and off the field. They enabled him to come back recently after eight months of pain, anxiety and injury to recover immediately the form that made him England's first choice for the World Cup in Chile when he was with Middlesbrough.  Don Revie who paid £53,000 for this six-footer in February '64 says " The gamest guy I know.  He worked mornings and afternoons for months and his chin never once dropped on his chest.  He never gave up."

BOBBY COLLINS, Inside Left (Captain) The general of the Leeds team. A scaled-down Hercules on jockey's legs. Has almost freakish strength which, allied to experience, ability and knowledge, make him one of the game's greats-so great that Scotland called him back into their team this season at 34.  Signed three years ago for a bargain fee of £25,000 when he was supposed to be over the hill. One of the few players in the game who can make a ball bend or dip or both in flight and hits that ball with tremendous power. Only 5 ft. 3 in. and 10 st. 2 Ib., but every inch and every ounce is class.

ALBERT JOHANNESON, Outside Left Within 24 hours of taking over at Leeds, Don Revie signed this 23-year-old coloured South African who was visiting Elland Road on a month's trial-recommended to them by a fellow countryman who also played for Leeds, Gerry Francis. Albert, painfully shy off the field, has almost unbelievable ball control on it, enough to make him the equal of any winger in the world-though he doesn't always play as though he believes it himself. Is at his best on perfect playing surfaces-and they don't come any better than Wembley. Height 5 ft. 5 in., weight II st. 6 Ib.