Billy Bremner

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About Bob 70-71

Billy at Leeds United c.1970

At primary school it was Billy's No.4 shirt that I wore. In the words of the 'Leeds United' song, 'there's a red headed tiger known as Billy and he goes like a human dynamo'. He was my hero and I wanted to be him. I was always short like him, and sometimes I modelled my temper on him. I was the only player on the pitch who wanted to play midfield ... till I decided it was a mug's game, and went in goal. Sadly I only saw him play twice, in my first two Leeds matches. They were both League matches away to Spurs in 1975-76, and 1976-77, the latter being his last ever away game for Leeds. Then as a manager he took Leeds within minutes of a Cup Final / promotion double, but got neither and was sacked. Now, I miss his occasional commentry for Radio Leeds, RIP, Billy.

See Billy Bremner - and the No. 4 shirt.

League Appearances:

Scottish Appearances:

Other games (other teams not yet known)

"Leeds United A Complete Record" by Martin Jarred and Malcolm MacDonald (1996) : Breedon Books, Derby. Wrote the following biographies:

As a player: 1959-1976.

Midfield. Born : Stirling, 9 December 1942. debut v Chelsea (a) Division One, 23 January 1960, W 3-1. Ht.5ft 5 1/2 in, 9st 13lbs (1974).

Billy's first picture in a Leeds United shirt in 1959

The core of Don Revie's great Leeds sides was the midfield blend of Billy Bremner's commitment and Johnny Giles' skill. Bremner, though was also skilfulland his passing, leadership, never-say die attitude and eye for goal made him one of the games's great midifelders. He played for St. Modan's High School and Gowanhill Juniors (Stirling) and, after being rejected by Arsenal and Chelsea for being 'too small', he joined Leeds in December 1959. In his early days he often brushed with football's authorities but gradually matured and collected many honours.

Billy c.1972

He won the first of 54 Scottish caps in May 1965, adding to Schoolboy and Under-23 honours, and is United's most capped player. He is the most successful skipper in the club's history, leading United to two League championships, an F.A.Cup win and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cup triumphs. He won the 1970 Footballer of the Year award as United narrowly missed a unique treble of League, F.A.Cup and European Cup.


Bremner moved to Hull City in September 1976 (£35,000) and ended his playing career after joining Doncaster Rovers in November 1978, where he played a handful of games. He led Doncaster to promotion from Division Four on two occasions and returned to Elland Road as manager in 1985 (see below) He currently lives in the Doncaster area and his son Billy, is a notable amateur golfer.


League: App 586 / 1, Gls 9;. F.A. Cup : App 69, Gls 3; League Cup: App 38, Gls 3; Europe: App 77, Gls 16; Charity Shield: App 2, Gls 0.

As a manager: 1985-1988.


In November 1978, Billy Bremner (see above) effectively ended his brilliant playing career when he left Hull City to take over as manager of Doncaster Rovers - their 17th boss since World War Two. Bremner retained his playing registration and turned out for Rovers in emergencies


With very little cash at his disposal, Bremner built his teams on the basis of hard-working players rather than expensive talent. Rovers had been languishing in Division Four for many years but, within two years of his appointment, Bremner took them to promtion when they finished third behind Southend and Lincoln.


bad luck and crippling injuries saw Doncaster relegated in 1983 but they bounced back the following season as Division Four runners-up. Bremner had several good young players in his ranks, including Ian Snodin, a midfielder whom he sold to Leeds for £200,000 in May 1985. Within months, the pair linked up again when Bremner was appointed manager at Elland Road, succeeding the loyal Eddie Gray.


On the field, Bremner had led Leeds to their greatest triumphs and now he aimed to do the same from the dug-out. United took time to adjust to the demands of his preferred style of play. He used a five man defence in front of goalkeeper Mervyn Day, but a series of disappointing displays saw them slip briefly into the relegation zone before playing their way out of trouble.


The following season Bremner steered his beloved United to the brink of double glory. They came within 20 minutes of reaching the 1987 F.A.Cup Final and ten minutes of gaining promotion to to Division One. A late surge took Leeds into the promotion Play-offs but they fell at the final hurdle in a replay against battling Charlton on an emotion charged night at St.Andrew's, Birmingham, going down 2-1 to two late extra-time goals. United's F.A.Cup run was an unexpected bonus, but again they came a cropper when glory beckeoned, losing 3-2 to Coventry City after extra-time in one of the most thrilling semi-finals Hillsborough had ever staged.


Bremner's reward was an extended contract but in 1987-88 Leeds appeared to go backwards and failed to live up to their billing as promotion favourites. Poor results at the start of the next season saw Leeds lingering near the foot of the table and Bremner was axed in late September 1988. Coach Peter Gunby was put in charge until United found a replacement for Bremner, whose devotion to the club he served so well could not be doubted. In July 1989, Bremner returned to Doncaster as manager, a job he held until he was dismissed in November 1991.


See further links with Billy on this site ...

Click to see this picture of Billy by Nick Oldham

There's some great photos of Billy sent by Ian Corry

Leeds United in 1972

The famous Leeds United wave.

League Cup Winners 1968

Also see how popular Billy was in a 30 year poll at Shoot!

Webmaster Bob next to Billy's statue at Elland Road, also see Statues

Billy gets mad with Manchester United on Willie Morgan's page.

See the 'Total Sport' match review of the 1974 Charity Shield.

Billy's old car went up for sale in October, 2000 - see News.

See the brief career review at Richard Whitehead

Billy has a Leeds,Leeds,Leeds special, see June/July 2003

Billy's Bar opened at Elland Road, October 2006, there is also now a Bremner Suite at the club (see Statues)

Billy's name adopted for House at Carr Manor High, see February 2007

See Books

Other links include ...

The best of the fans' sites I've yet come across is Images of Leeds United in particular the link to 'Billy Bremner. A Tribute to a Legend'.

There's a picture and career review in two parts at football-heroes.net and football-heroes.net - Billy Bremner part 2

The official site biography can be found on Leeds United Football Club - The Official Website

There's a tribute with pictures at Leeds United- Nostalgia time.

There's a further tribute at Ciaran Diver's Home Page at Players Info -Bremner

There's a few pictures of Billy winning the Championship at Leeds United - magic moments

And see Billy's full managerial record at www.soccerbase.com - The Internet Soccer Database

There's also an excellent managerial review at Leeds United - The Managers Part 2

See about the unveiling of the new statue at Leeds United FC - The Official Web Site

A famous Billy picture at Leeds www.squareball.co.uk- Billy Bremner

And on the same site again , a picture of Billy at the kick off of the Chelsea Cup Final at Leeds www.squareball.co.uk - Bremner - Harris

And some artwork of Billy at leedschat.com the square ball online - and some more pictures of Billy with Leeds on the same site at leedschat.com the square ball online

There's a cartoon picture of Billy at Leeds United Billy Bremner

Have a look at some great photos of Billy at Varley Picture Agency - Billy Bremner

Interested in Bremner genealogy, then visit http://www.brebner.com - also see email at December 2003

Thanks to Ian Corry for sending the leading pictue of Billy at Leeds c.1970. and the 4th picture down Billy c.1972. Ian runs the George Best Page

See the latest Soccer headlines at www.bobdunning.net