Leeds United is a club synonymous with the color white, a color that has become iconic for the team and its fans. But was it always this way?
Surprisingly, Leeds United once experimented with other colors, including red, a choice that would seem unthinkable today, given their intense rivalry with Manchester United. Here’s a deep dive into the history behind Leeds United’s kit colors and whether the club ever truly embraced red.
Leeds United’s Early Kit History
Leeds United was founded in 1919, and like many clubs, they experimented with various kit colors in their early years. Their initial colors were blue and yellow, with kit designs changing over time as the club worked to establish its identity.
During these formative years, the club hadn’t yet settled on the all-white kit that would later become a defining part of their image.
Red in Leeds United’s Kit: The 1930s
In the 1930s, Leeds United wore away kits that featured red elements on a few occasions. Though this was far from a primary kit choice, the club’s willingness to include red highlights shows how the team was still searching for its unique identity.
These kits were rarely worn, and the use of red was largely experimental rather than a committed color choice.
The Influence of Don Revie and the All-White Transformation
The turning point for Leeds United’s kit identity came in the early 1960s when manager Don Revie took charge. Known for his innovative ideas, Revie saw an opportunity to distinguish Leeds United by introducing an all-white kit, inspired by the European giants, Real Madrid.
This bold change not only set the club apart from others but also instilled a sense of unity and pride. From then on, the white kit became synonymous with Leeds United, marking a new era that would see the team achieve significant success.
Rivalries and the Rejection of Red
One reason red was abandoned entirely was the club’s growing rivalry with Manchester United. As Leeds United became a force in English football, matches between them and Manchester United intensified, leading fans to view red as the color of their rivals.
This rivalry contributed to Leeds fans rejecting red in any form on their kits, further strengthening the club’s connection to white as a symbol of pride and distinction.
Leeds United’s Modern Kit Choices
In recent years, Leeds United’s kits have stayed true to the iconic white for home games, while away kits experiment with different colors like yellow, blue, and black. These color choices maintain Leeds United’s distinct identity while avoiding red, a color that is still seen by fans as representing rival clubs.
There have occasionally been minor controversies over kit designs, but the club’s commitment to avoiding red has remained strong, honoring both tradition and fan sentiments.
Conclusion
While Leeds United did wear red elements in their early years, it was a short-lived experiment that ultimately did not align with the club’s identity. Don Revie’s introduction of the all-white kit solidified Leeds United’s colors, and the rivalry with Manchester United cemented red as a color to be avoided.
Today, Leeds United’s colors are a proud part of their legacy, symbolizing unity, tradition, and a unique identity in English football.
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