On Monday June 30, 2025 Leeds United paid tribute to its former centre forward, Alan Peacock who passed away at the age of 87 following a battle with dementia.
Alan Peacock was born in Middlesbrough on October 29, 1937 and would represent his home town club on 238 occasions, scoring 141 goals, before being tempted to Elland Road by manager Don Revie in February 1964.
Below is a brief account leading up to the England striker arriving in LS11.
Revie's Leeds celebrated Christmas Day 1963 by sitting on top of the Second Division and remained there on December 28, despite collecting just one point from a possible four after playing a seasonal double-header against Sunderland, who after beating Leeds 2-0 at Roker Park, sat in second place.
In the League, Leeds had won 14, drawn nine and lost two before the bells would chime to see in the New Year and although only 19 goals had been conceded, the 42 scored was the lowest total in the top four.
After the defeat by Sunderland, Leeds beat Cardiff City 1-0 in the FA Cup before a 47th minute goal from Don Weston saw off Manchester City at Elland Road. The following week, Leeds came from 2-0 down to salvage a point at Swindon Town thanks to an 89th minute goal scored by Norman Hunter.
Four days after losing in the FA Cup Fourth Round replay against Everton, an Albert Johanneson equaliser ensured a point at home to Cardiff, on a day which saw Sunderland thrash Swindon 6-0 to take over at the leadership of the second tier.
Early on in February 1964 reports emerged in the press that Revie wanted to sign 26 year old England international Alan Peacock, from Middlesbrough, to spearhead his side to promotion. Peacock's manager at Ayresome Park was the former Leeds boss Raich Carter and Carter declined to comment on the speculation.
Whoever broke the story to the newspapers clearly had some insight and days later it was reported that Leeds and Middlesbrough had agreed a fee for the centre forward, despite interest from First Division side Everton.
Everton had seen a £40,000 bid knocked back and manager, Harry Catterick then informed Middlesbrough that he would match Leeds' offer but insisted on watching Peacock play for 'Boro that weekend whilst Revie had other ideas - he wanted Peacock in his eleven to face Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Don Revie and Chairman, Harry Reynolds travelled North in an attempt to persuade the striker to ply his trade in West Yorkshire. The decision was purely down to Peacock who admitted he was very impressed with what he had heard from Revie and Reynolds and after undergoing a medical, he signed on the dotted line the following day, in time to travel to East Anglia.
The Don was a happy man, firmly believing he had found the answer to remedy a weakness in Leeds' finishing:
"I am happy. Alan is a type of player I have always admired. You can never guarantee success with anything but I think he'll make a great deal of difference."
The final fee was just over £53,000 which broke Leeds United's transfer record with Peacock declaring:
"It is my ambition to play in the First Division and I am hoping I can help Leeds to gain promotion this season."
When asked by the media about how many games he had played for Middlesbrough that season, Chairman Reynolds chipped in:
"It doesn't matter how many games he's played for Middlesbrough, it's the games for Leeds United that are going to count."
Peacock made his debut at Carrow Road and Leeds had to be satisfied with a point in a 2-2 draw after letting a two goal lead slip. After Don Weston opened the scoring 13 minutes into the second half, the new man buried a header to make it 2-0 just six minutes later.
Alan Peacock was up and running and by the end of the season, he had bagged eight goals in 14 games as Leeds won the title and a ticket to dine at English football's top table.
Alan Peacock Rest In Peace.