Leeds City had ended the Second Division campaign in 1912-13 a wonderful 6th in their first season under new manager Herbert Chapman. Hopes were extremely high as the City supporters eagerly anticipated the start of 1913-14. With Jimmy Speirs pepping up the forward line, ace goalscorer Billy McLeod had rediscovered his most potent form, scoring 27 goals in 38 matches - form he sustained in 1913-14 as City played with a conviction that marked them out as potential first division material. The attack was enlivened further by the signing of amateur winger and professional journalist Ivan Sharpe from Derby County; and the defence stiffened by John Hampson, bought from Chapman's old club Northampton to replace Evelyn Lintott at centre half.

Although some of their old fallibilities remained, City were no soft touch for opposing forward lines. One important defensive signing was that of full back Fred Blackman from Huddersfield Town, regarded by the Yorkshire Post as 'possibly the most polished back in the second division'.

Interest in City's progress was now such that the club had managed to sell season tickets worth £2,000. The optimism looked well founded as they approached their game on November 29 1913 against lowly Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. Forest were already bottom and were still there the following April. Going into the match, Leeds had managed 16 points out of a possible 24 and were amongst the front runners for the title. Speirs had scored seven, McLeod 6 and Arthur Price 4 as the City team showed deadly accuracy in front of goal.

Things looked perfectly set up for an easy Leeds win and that was the way it turned out, with the side gaining the club's best ever League victory.

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Speirs and Price had been operating at inside left and right respectively, but for this game they were switched, to devastating effect, as Leeds sprinted into a 3-0 lead within half an hour of the kick off. Forest keeper John Hanna did well to block a powerful drive from Price in the opening exchanges, but could do nothing as the ever alert McLeod pounced on the rebound to open the scoring. Price then struck twice more to give City a clear lead well before half time.

The 3-0 half time advantage made Forest's position seem impossible and spirit in their dressing room was low. Their tormenters went to town after the break and continued to pulverise the helpless opposition. Any distant thoughts of a comeback were dispelled almost immediately as Hampson headed a fourth goal from a corner by Sharpe. The humiliation worsened as McLeod really turned the screw, hitting a second half hat trick to end with four goals, and ten for the season by the time this, his 13th match was over. Speirs scored the other City goal, between McLeod's second and third, in an 8-0 mauling.

The local paper, the Leeds Mercury was gushing in its praise. JRB, the football correspondent, wrote: "The City forwards were a brilliant lot, who displayed fire and resolution in their attack. They were supported by a trio of halves who did their work excellently, while Copeland and Affleck were a puissant pair of backs." The style of sports journalism has obviously changed significantly over the years!

'This score, a record for the City team, marks the grand advance they have made this season ... hopes of supporters will naturally dwell all the more lovingly on promotion prospects,' wrote the Yorkshire Post. 'Speirs changed places with Price as the inside man ... to the wonderment yet ultimate gratification of the club's followers.'

The assured win was watched by a crowd of 14,000 spectators, with gate receipts amounting to £370. City had moved up to a top three position and Forest's position at the bottom of the table was now desperate.

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