Date: Wednesday, 24th October 1973.

Venue: Elland Road, Leeds.

Competition: UEFA Cup, Second Round, First Leg.

Score: Leeds United 0 Hibernian 0.

Scorers: Leeds United: Nil. Hibernian: Nil.

Attendance: 27,145.

Teams:

Leeds United: Harvey; Cherry, Madeley; Bremner, Ellam, Yorath; Lorimer, Clarke, Jones (Jordan), Bates, F. Gray (O’Neill).

Hibernian: Arthur; Bremner, Schaedler; Stanton, Black, Blackley; Seith (Hazel), Higgins, Gordon, Cropley, Duncan..

Referee: Karoly Palotai (Hungary).

United had made it fairly obvious that they were not over-interested in progressing far in the UEFA Cup and for their Second Round First Leg game at Elland Road they chose to rest Gordon McQueen, Norman Hunter and Johnny Giles. In addition Eddie Gray was out with a long term injury. Roy Ellam was given another chance to prove his worth at centre-half while Terry Yorath stood in for Norman Hunter, Mick Bates moved into Johnny Giles’ place in midfield and Eddie’s younger brother Frank took Bates’ place on the left. Joe Jordan and Jimmy O’Neill both got playing time as substitutes for Mick Jones and Frank Gray but nobody from either side could get their names on the scoresheet and Hibernian would have been the happier of the two teams when it finished a goalless draw.

Scottish club Hibernian were confident that they could nail the theory that football north of the border, apart from Celtic and Rangers, lacked quality. Hibs certainly proved that with their First Leg display at Elland Road. Even though they were without Norman Hunter who was completing his three match Euro-ban, Paul Reaney, Johnny Giles, Eddie Gray and up-and-coming central defender Gordon McQueen, Don Revie offered no excuses after his side were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw.

In Alex Cropley, Hibernian had the best player on show, but fortunately for Leeds, David Harvey and Paul Madeley kept cool heads on an uncomfortable night for a disjointed Leeds outfit. Tony Higgins could have won it for the Scots in the first and last minute of the game, while Alex Cropley’s sublime skills ensured his side enjoyed the bulk of the chances. United had an escape early on when Alan Gordan appeared to be pushed in the box but the referee waved aside appeals for a penalty. Alex Cropley then sent a twenty-yard drive whistling over the top before Alan Gordon intercepted a misplaced Mick Bates’ pass and fed Higgins, whose low shot was saved by David Harvey.

United’s only real chance of the first half came after thirty-five minutes when Allan Clarke’s back-header was caught first time on the volley by Frank Gray but went just wide. Don Revie, sensing that the tie could be snatched away from Leeds’ grasp, replaced knee injury victim Mick Jones with Joe Jordan at half-time, and United did improve, forcing Him Arthur to make two fine saves to deny Peter Lorimer. But there was no denying Hibs’ superiority and Manager Eddie Turnbull was justifiably upbeat, commenting, “I’m confident about the outcome at Easter Road.” Don Revie added, “We have no excuses tonight, even though we had so many players out. Hibernian are a great side and their chances tonight were a little better than ours. But remember, one goal for Leeds at Easter Road could be worth double. If we have our full side out I am certain it will be a great game up there.

Teams:

Players:

Roy Ellam, Jimmy O’Neill, Frank Gray,

Terry Yorath, Joe Jordan and Mick Bates were given a chance in an under-strength United team

Gordon McQueen, Norman Hunter and Johnny Giles were amongst the United players who were rested or not available