Leeds United Football Club was founded in 1919 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, rising from the ashes of their predecessor Leeds City, who were disbanded by the Football League over allegations of illegal payments. The new club took over Elland Road, which remains their home ground today, and were elected to the Football League in 1920.
The club's most celebrated era came under manager Don Revie in the 1960s and 1970s. Revie transformed a financially troubled side into one of England's most formidable clubs, adopting an all-white kit inspired by Real Madrid and building a squad around legends such as Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, and Norman Hunter. During this period Leeds won two First Division titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, while also reaching the final of the European Cup. It was a golden generation that left a lasting imprint on English football.
A second period of success arrived in the early 1990s under Howard Wilkinson, when Leeds claimed the First Division title in 1991–92 — the last before the division rebranded as the Premier League. The club then endured a dramatic fall, dropping as far as the third tier before a slow rebuild saw them return to the Premier League. After winning the Championship in 2019–20, they struggled to sustain top-flight status and were relegated in 2023. A swift recovery followed, and Leeds won the Championship again in 2024–25 to secure a return to the Premier League.
Leeds share fierce rivalries with Manchester United and Chelsea. Their identity is rooted in Yorkshire pride, symbolised by the White Rose on their badge and the sea of white at Elland Road.