Peterson: Paul Wayne (Paul)

1966-1971 (Player Details)

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Born: Luton: 22-12-1949

Debut: v Derby County (a): 30-03-1970

5’6” 10 st 6 1/2lb (1970)

Peterson joined Leeds from school, served his apprenticeship and signed professional terms on his seventeenth birthday in December 1966. His career with United saw his first team appearances come in quick succession at the end of the 1969-70 season when Manager Don Revie rested many of his weary players after they had been battling on four fronts throughout the season. United were still vitally involved in the European Cup and the FA Cup, but were out of the League Cup and did not look like overhauling Everton in the League. Revie gave Peterson his debut at left back in the infamous League game at Derby County, when Revie incurred the wrath of the FA by omitting all his regular team and was duly fined for it. The Leeds team was David Harvey; Nigel Davey, Paul Peterson; Jimmy Lumsden, David Kennedy, Terry Yorath; Chris Galvin, Mick Bates, Rod Belfitt, Terry Hibbitt, Albert Johanneson. Unsurprisingly they lost 4-1. His second game came in the memorable 2-1 victory over Burnley at Elland Road when Eddie Gray scored two of the best goals ever seen at Elland Road. The team saw Terry Yorath switch to right back, Paul Madeley and Eddie Gray take up the right and left wing-half positions John Faulkner at centre-half, Albert Johanneson, Chris Galvin and Terry Hibbitt switch to cente-forward, inside left and outside-left respectively with Peter Lorimer coming in on the right wing. The next game a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City saw Peterson on the bench, having been replaced by Terry Cooper at left back. Terry Yorath gave way to Nigel Davey at right-back, Billy Bremner replaced Paul Madeley at right-half, Allan Clarke was in at inside right with Mick Bates moving to inside-left and Rod Belfitt returning to centre-forward. John Faulkner sustained a nasty injury and Peterson took his place. His final game came in the last League game of the season in a 3-2 defeat at Ipswich as United lined up: David Harvey; Nigel Davey, Paul Peterson; Terry Yorath, David Kennedy, Eddie Gray; Chris Galvin, Peter Lorimer, Rod Belfitt, Mick Bates, Terry Hibbitt. United were well served by an array of left-backs with Terry Cooper at the head of the list and many versatile defenders capable of playing there in an emergency. His chances limited, he went on a free transfer to Swindon Town in June 1971. He made only one appearance for them, at right-back on 29th January 1972 in a 4-1 defeat at Birmingham City before going into Non-League football with Stevenage Borough. He was later Coach and Assistant Manager at Stevenage, where he worked with Derek Montgomery, with whom he played in the United junior sides in the late 1960’s.