On This Day: Elland Road's record attendance as Leeds United face Sunderland in FA Cup replay
and live on Freeview channel 276
A total number of 57,896 spectators crammed into Leeds United s famous home to see the FA Cup fifth round replay against Sunderland on the evening of Wednesday, March 15, 1967 following the initial 1-1 draw at Roker Park.
But steel and concrete crush barriers collapsed under the pressure of the crowd ten minutes into the game as fans spilled on to the pitch and its perimeter.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAmbulances were called and there were reports of around 20 people being taken to hospital although thankfully there were no serious injuries.
Leeds had ben unable to make the game an all-ticket affair due to the timing of the game after the replay and thousands of fans were locked out as turnstiles closed in the run up to kick-off.
But due to the sheer volume of pressure, it was the crush barrier at the corner of the Scratching Shed and Lowfields Road end that collapsed.
The game eventually restarted after a quarter of an hour pause with hundreds of fans watching sat down from the side of the pitch.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnother 1-1 draw followed as Sunderland took a 37th-minute lead through John O’Hare, only for United to equalise just one minute later through Johnny Giles.
Even extra time could not separate the two sides which meant a second replay in which Leeds recorded a 2-1 victory at Hull City's Boothferry Park.
United's FA Cup adventure was eventually ended with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in a semi-final at Villa Park as part of a season in which Don Revie's Whites finished fourth in the league and were beaten finalists in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup as Dinamo Zagreb took the crown.
Leeds, though, would not be bridesmaids for long.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA message from the Editor:
Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.
We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSubscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.
With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.
Click here to subscribe.
For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.
Thank you Laura Collins
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.