Paul Reaney
Encyclopedia
Paul Reaney was a long-serving full back with the Leeds United
team of the 1960s and 1970s.
Reaney wore the No.2 shirt for Leeds and in a team renowned for its hard approach to the game, he more than held his own.
He moved to West Yorkshire
from London as a child and left school at 15. He was briefly a car
mechanic
before signing for Leeds as an apprentice, making his debut shortly before his 18th birthday . He impressed quickly and made 35 League appearances in his first season, and was part of the team which won the Second Division
in 1964.
Reaney settled into top-flight football, missing just one League game and scoring his first of six League goals for the club as Leeds challenged for both the League championship
and FA Cup
. But, in what would become a recurring scenario for Leeds under manager Don Revie
, they lost out on both. Manchester United
would win the title on goal difference and Reaney would feature in the side beaten at Wembley in the FA Cup final by Liverpool
.
Over the next three seasons, Reaney would miss just a handful of appearances as Leeds made further progress. Their classic back four was formed by 1967 – Reaney alongside Jack Charlton
, Norman Hunter and Terry Cooper with utility man Paul Madeley
frequently stepping into any of their positions when needed. In 1968 Leeds won the League Cup
and the Fairs Cup; in 1969 they achieved their goal of the League championship. Reaney was an unsung but truly vital part of what had now become a feared, indeed disliked team; and to round off the decade
, he won his first England
cap when he came on as a substitute in a match against Bulgaria
in 1968. Reaney's appearance has assumed greater importance in recent years as even though he was regarded as "white" during his playing career, he is viewed by many as "black" or mixed race now. His England debut was nine years before that of Viv Anderson
, who is widely credited as the first black man to play for England.
Leeds progressed in 1970 towards a unique "treble" of League championship, FA Cup and European Cup
but Reaney suffered twice the heartbreak. Not ony did Leeds miss out on all three trophies – the League went to Everton
; the FA Cup was won by Chelsea
after a replay; and Celtic F.C.
ended Leeds' European Cup bid in the semi-finals – but Reaney suffered a broken leg
in a game against West Ham United
and missed the run-in, including the FA Cup final. Madeley deputised for him for the rest of the season and Reaney missed the summer's World Cup in Mexico
.
Leeds started the following season without Reaney as he battled back from what was the first serious injury of his career. He eventually returned to make 18 League appearances and be part of the team which won its second Fairs Cup, but missed out on the League championship on the last day again. He did however, win two more England caps, though no more would follow.
Reaney was in the side which went yet again for the "double" in 1972 and this time was partly successful. They finally won the FA Cup in their third final, defeating holders Arsenal
at Wembley, but then lost the League title after a last-day loss to Wolves
. In 1973 there was more disappointment for Reaney as Leeds lost the FA Cup final to Sunderland
and a highly controversial European Cup Winners Cup final to A.C. Milan
.
Reaney's career at Leeds passed 500 appearances in 1974 as Leeds embarked on a record 29-match unbeaten start to the season to earn the League title for the second time under Revie, who then quit to take over the England job. Reaney was in the team which duly progressed to the European Cup final a year later, but yet again Leeds were defeated, and no more honours would come their way as the great team assembled by Revie began to age and split up. One consolation for Reaney was that in 1976 he was granted a testimonial by the club. Another was that he became known during his peak years as the only player who could mark George Best
, a fact acknowledged by Best himself.
He continued to play at Elland Road until 1978 when he was given a free transfer after 745 appearances. He joined neighbours Bradford City
and then completed his playing career in Australia
. On returning to England, Reaney became a coach at soccer schools and continues to coach schoolboys to this day. In 1993, burglars broke into Reaney's home and stole a safe containing his collection of medals, though left behind his trophies, caps and other honours.
He is remembered fondly by Leeds fans for his pinpoint crosses, goal-line clearances, overlapping runs and just for being there as the player whose profile was possibly the lowest of all Revie's players, yet who ended up third in the club's all-time appearance list behind Charlton and skipper Billy Bremner
. Football remembers him as the strong, silent, untroublesome one in a very controversial team.
Reaney can now be found during half term holidays running coaching sessions for kids at Potters Leisure Resort, Norfolk.
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
team of the 1960s and 1970s.
Reaney wore the No.2 shirt for Leeds and in a team renowned for its hard approach to the game, he more than held his own.
He moved to West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
from London as a child and left school at 15. He was briefly a car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
before signing for Leeds as an apprentice, making his debut shortly before his 18th birthday . He impressed quickly and made 35 League appearances in his first season, and was part of the team which won the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1964.
Reaney settled into top-flight football, missing just one League game and scoring his first of six League goals for the club as Leeds challenged for both the League championship
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
and FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. But, in what would become a recurring scenario for Leeds under manager Don Revie
Don Revie
Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...
, they lost out on both. Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
would win the title on goal difference and Reaney would feature in the side beaten at Wembley in the FA Cup final by Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Over the next three seasons, Reaney would miss just a handful of appearances as Leeds made further progress. Their classic back four was formed by 1967 – Reaney alongside Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
, Norman Hunter and Terry Cooper with utility man Paul Madeley
Paul Madeley
Paul Madeley was a footballer during Leeds United's glory era of the 1960s and 1970s and the last high-profile 'utility' player....
frequently stepping into any of their positions when needed. In 1968 Leeds won the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and the Fairs Cup; in 1969 they achieved their goal of the League championship. Reaney was an unsung but truly vital part of what had now become a feared, indeed disliked team; and to round off the decade
Decade
A decade is a period of 10 years. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek dekas which means ten. This etymology is sometime confused with the Latin decas and dies , which is not correct....
, he won his first England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap when he came on as a substitute in a match against Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
in 1968. Reaney's appearance has assumed greater importance in recent years as even though he was regarded as "white" during his playing career, he is viewed by many as "black" or mixed race now. His England debut was nine years before that of Viv Anderson
Viv Anderson
Vivian Alexander "Viv" Anderson MBE is an English football player and coach, who played for clubs including Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in the 1970s and 1980s...
, who is widely credited as the first black man to play for England.
Leeds progressed in 1970 towards a unique "treble" of League championship, FA Cup and European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
but Reaney suffered twice the heartbreak. Not ony did Leeds miss out on all three trophies – the League went to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
; the FA Cup was won by Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
after a replay; and Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
ended Leeds' European Cup bid in the semi-finals – but Reaney suffered a broken leg
Broken Leg
Broken Leg is an indie rock song written and recorded by Australian indie rock band Bluejuice. The song was voted no. 5 in the 2009 Triple J Hottest 100. The accompanying music video was voted in at no. 1 on Rage's RAGE FIFTY countdown that was voted for by viewers and shown on the last weekend of...
in a game against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and missed the run-in, including the FA Cup final. Madeley deputised for him for the rest of the season and Reaney missed the summer's World Cup in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Leeds started the following season without Reaney as he battled back from what was the first serious injury of his career. He eventually returned to make 18 League appearances and be part of the team which won its second Fairs Cup, but missed out on the League championship on the last day again. He did however, win two more England caps, though no more would follow.
Reaney was in the side which went yet again for the "double" in 1972 and this time was partly successful. They finally won the FA Cup in their third final, defeating holders Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at Wembley, but then lost the League title after a last-day loss to Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. In 1973 there was more disappointment for Reaney as Leeds lost the FA Cup final to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and a highly controversial European Cup Winners Cup final to A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
.
Reaney's career at Leeds passed 500 appearances in 1974 as Leeds embarked on a record 29-match unbeaten start to the season to earn the League title for the second time under Revie, who then quit to take over the England job. Reaney was in the team which duly progressed to the European Cup final a year later, but yet again Leeds were defeated, and no more honours would come their way as the great team assembled by Revie began to age and split up. One consolation for Reaney was that in 1976 he was granted a testimonial by the club. Another was that he became known during his peak years as the only player who could mark George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
, a fact acknowledged by Best himself.
He continued to play at Elland Road until 1978 when he was given a free transfer after 745 appearances. He joined neighbours Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and then completed his playing career in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. On returning to England, Reaney became a coach at soccer schools and continues to coach schoolboys to this day. In 1993, burglars broke into Reaney's home and stole a safe containing his collection of medals, though left behind his trophies, caps and other honours.
He is remembered fondly by Leeds fans for his pinpoint crosses, goal-line clearances, overlapping runs and just for being there as the player whose profile was possibly the lowest of all Revie's players, yet who ended up third in the club's all-time appearance list behind Charlton and skipper Billy Bremner
Billy Bremner
William John "Billy" Bremner was a Scottish professional footballer, most noted for his captaincy of the Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s. He has since been voted Leeds United's greatest player of all time and has a statue outside the South East corner of Elland Road...
. Football remembers him as the strong, silent, untroublesome one in a very controversial team.
Reaney can now be found during half term holidays running coaching sessions for kids at Potters Leisure Resort, Norfolk.