Leeds United are one of the best supported teams in England with thousands of passionate followers heading to Elland Road every weekend. The club will compete in the Championship this season as they bid for promotion to the top-flight and have a storied history in England’s main division.
With the Whites aiming for the top, this article will look through Leeds’ history in the Premier League and give a rundown of the club’s EPL achievements over the last three decades.
Leeds’ Overall Premier League Stats
The Whites were the champions of England when the old First Division made way for the formation of the Premier League in 1992. Leeds stayed in the top-flight for 12 years but then spent 16 years stuck in the Football League before returning in 2020. This latest stay lasted three seasons before the club went down again in 2023.
Before considering whether to back Leeds to return to the Premier League, it might be worth checking out some new customer betting offers to ensure you get the best value when placing your bets. Overall, Leeds have played 15 campaigns in the Premier League. Of the 582 matches they have played, the team has won 223, lost 208 and drawn 151. Scoring a total of 793 goals, Leeds have conceded 784 and so have an overall Premier League goal difference of nine.
The Club’s Best Premier League Season
Leeds enjoyed their most successful time in the Premier League at the turn of the century, finishing third in the year 2000 which saw them qualify for the Champions League and reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Under manager David O’leary, the Whites built an exciting and dynamic squad combining experience with talented young players. With goalkeeper Nigel Martyn and defensive regulars Lucas Radebe, Gary Kelly and Ian Harte at the back, the likes of Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith were tasked play further up the field and shooting the team to glory.
Leeds then added Mark Viduka up front and Rio Ferdinand at the back to try and really push Manchester United and Arsenal at the top of the table. However, after investing heavily, the club struggled financially and had to sell a number of key players and, with the team weakened, suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2004. The club’s impressive side though is remembered with fondness with several memorable nights played out at Elland Road.
The Whites’ All-Time Top Premier League Goalscorers
Leeds’ top two scorers of the Premier League era both hail from Australia. Viduka, who found the net 59 times for the club, leads the way with Kewell next on the list with 45 goals. Striker Rod Wallace, who represented Leeds in the nineties is third with 42 strikes to his name. Bowyer and Smith complete the top five with 38 goals each.
Iconic frontman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is sixth in the rundown with 34 goals in 69 Premier League appearances for Leeds. Brian Deane is seventh with 32 goals with Harte, who was a set-piece specialist and boasted a wand of a left-foot next with a tally of 28.
Rodrigo is one of the few players from the modern era to hit more than 20 goals for Leeds in the Premier League and makes this list in ninth after sticking the ball in the back of the net 26 times. Gary McAllister and Tony Yeboah share tenth-place with 24 goals each.
Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison, Gary Speed, Michael Bridges and Raphinha also making the rundown with all five scoring more than 15 times for Leeds.
Most Premier League Appearances for Leeds
Gary Kelly boasts the most Premier League matches for the Whites having made 325 appearances between August 1993 and May 2004. The former right-back’s consistency means he is way out in front and actually played 112 more games than Harte, who is his nephew and sits second in the standings with 213 matches played between January 1996 and May 2004.
Goalkeeper Nigel Martyn played 207 times between the sticks for the Whites in the Premier League while midfielder Bowyer recorded 203 appearances. Centre-backs David Wetherall and Radebe are next in the list having played 201 and 197 games respectively.
Kewell played in 181 Premier League matches for Leeds, Wallace 178, Smith 172 and McAllister 151. Beyond the top ten names, Speed, Tony Dorigo, Viduka, Eirik Bakke, David Batty, John Lukic and Dominic Matteo all made more than a century of appearances for the club.
Summing Up
Despite missing more than half of the Premier League era after years stuck in the Championship and League One, Leeds have still played a major role in the story of England’s top-flight since 1992.
Boasting one of the most exciting games, there was a feeling at the start of the Millennium that the Whites could consistently challenge Man United and Arsenal for the title as their young and vibrant side developed and gained experience. Though the dream failed to materialise, Leeds remain one of the most storied clubs of the Premier League, having qualified for major European competitions and also enduring two relegations nearly two decades apart.
From top players to standout matches, Leeds have provided plenty of drama and narrative and their fans will be eager to see the club make it back to the big time.
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