‘We deserve more credit for title win’
Speaks to Leeds’ 1991-92 hero Gary McAllister
GARY MCALLISTER says the Leeds side crowned English champions in 1991-92 deserve to be remembered among the greats.
Under Howard Wilkinson, Leeds finished ahead of Manchester United and McAllister believes history has not been fair to a team that included Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman and Eric Cantona.
“We lost only four games out of 42, to Crystal Palace, Oldham, Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City,” said McAllister (below), now No.2 to Steven Gerrard at Rangers.
“None of the best teams of the day – United, Arsenal,
Sheffield Wednesday, Liverpool and Forest – could beat us in the First Division. We scored more goals (74) than anyone except Arsenal and got four or more four times away from om home, which tells you how positive we were.
“We also kept 20 clean sheets and were unbeaten at home.
“So it annoys me when people belittle what we did. It’s patronizing.”
The previous season, McAllister’s first at
Elland Road after a £1million move from Leicester, Leeds finished fourth.
They added Tony Dorigo, Rod Wallace and Steve Hodge and made a blistering start in 199192.
It wasn’t until the 11th game of the season that Leeds were beaten – and it took a 94th minute goal from Palace to topple them.
The arrival of Eric Cantona in January 1992 is considered a turning point – but McAllister says it wasn’t.
“Eric started six matches and came on in nine,” he said. “He helped turn one against Chelsea, but his other two goals were in games that were already won.
“He was a positive influence, but to say he made the difference getting over the line doesn’t stack up.”
McAllister thought Leeds wouldn’t get over the line after a 4-0 loss at Manchester City in April. That left United clear favourites, but wins over Leeds in both the FA Cup and League Cup left them with a pile up of fixtures.
McAllister said: “There seemed to be a problem between Mark Hughes and Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) and we thought: ‘Keep that going please!’”
The door opened for Leeds af after United had back-to-back lo losses to N Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
With two g games left, Le Leeds were in the d driving seat. Victory at Sheffield United and defeat for the Red Devils at Anfield would make Leeds champions.
The Blades were beaten 3-2 and then Liverpool ended United’s hopes.
“I did feel for the United players,” said McAllister, “but I didn’t think they were particularly gracious towards us.
“’Fergie’ did an interview afterwards where he made it clear we hadn’t so much won it as United had lost it.
“I was watching in Chappy’s (Lee Chapman’s) living room, waiting to be interviewed and I shouted: ‘There he goes again, as gracious as ever.’
“Denis Law came back in my ear and said: ‘You do know he can hear you.’ It took him about 20 years to forgive me!”