Leeds football teams

[johntree]

This is a very long shot, but as a child I was always told my grandfather played football for Leeds City I have checked out every possible avenue and cant find any reference to it, I know he was lodging in Leeds in 1901 but returned to Liverpool to be married in 1904. does anyone know anything about football teams  around 1900 -01.
thank you johntree.

[Gadget]

Hi John

If you could give me the name and approx date and place of birth of your grandfather, I could check for him in a football ref book that I have. It doesn't include all players but he might be there 

brevitas

[KGarrad]

Leeds City FC was formed in 1904.
They played an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie against Rockingham Colliery, in September 1904, with a team comprised of:
W.H. Mallinson; Skelton, H. Dixon; R.Morris, J. Morris, T. Tennant; P. Heffron, Page, Musgrave, Cummings, Simpson.

They joined the Football League the following season.

Some player profiles here:
http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/leedscityprofiles.php/

The history of Leeds City states: "Inside-Right Page had been with Liverpool Reserves" in relation to players with previous experience.
Was this your chap?

[johntree]

Many thanks for that information, his name was William Leatherbarrow born in Liverpool  1881.
maybe he had something to do   with Liverpool Reserves.I do know he was working in Leeds 1901.
 I am hoping this is the start of clearing up a family mystery.
Thank you both for your time,I will look forward to hearing from you.
best wishes
johntree

[KGarrad]

As I said - Leeds City FC wasn't founded until 1904.
And there is no Leatherbarrow on the website I mentioned?

[Gadget]

Hi Kevin

I think we here you    However, if John's ancestor played for another team, the fact that he played for a Leeds side at some point (before they became 'officially' Leeds City FC) would be shown in my listing.

brevitas

[KGarrad]

That website has the teamsheets from every Leeds City match?

There was a Leeds FC, but that had folded by 1888.
Maybe Hunslet FC? But they disbanded in 1902.

Other possibilities include Rothwell, Meanwood and Oulton.

Leeds City was born out of Holbeck Rugby Club, when they failed to gain entry to The Northern Union in 1904. Holbeck had the use of the ground at Elland Road.

[johntree]

Thank you once again, I think I will call it a day, and put it down to a family mystery.
all the best
johntree.

[AndyC65]

Just to add that Leeds City are the forerunner of today's Leeds United, and also played at Elland Road.

They were thrown out of the league and disbanded in 1919 for making "illegal payments" to players during the war.

Leeds United was formed that year and took the place of Leeds City reserves in the Midland league.

The payment issue maybe excluded the record of some players?