The date... September 1, 1920 The event... Leeds United make their home Football League debut against South Shields The story... After Leeds United was formed in October 1919 following the expulsion of Leeds City from the Football League due to financial irregularities, the club played their first competitive action in the Midland League. Huddersfield Town chairman Hilton Crowther had failed in his bid to amalgamate the two clubs and took over at Elland Road believing that foundations were better placed for success in LS11. Leeds also appointed Arthur Fairclough as manager - who moved with Crowther across West Yorkshire - and the two began their campaign for the club to be handed a place in the Second Division once again. The pair began building a team fit to compete whilst plying their trade in the Midland League with a number of acquisitions. After months of appeals Leeds were finally voted into the Football League in May 1920. The Yorkshire Post wrote: "The promoters are to be congratulated on the energy and determination they have shown. "Financial stability seems already to be assured and the nucleus of a thoroughly capable side has been secured. So good a case did Leeds United make, and so effectively had claims been canvassed by Mr Hilton Crowther and Arthur Fairclough, that Leeds headed the poll with 31 votes." On September 1 - less that a year after the club's formation - United welcomed South Shields to Elland Road in their first ever home league clash. Len Armitage bagged the club's first goal in front of a 16,958 strong crowd, but the game ended in defeat as the visitors left with the spoils in a 2-1 win.
