LEEDS LED OUT OF BANKRUPTCY AND UNITED BY AUCTION

In 1904 Leeds City FC was founded and the club joined the Football league the following year. The club did not have the happiest of times, with low attendances, no promotions and just as the famous Herbert Chapman was leading them out of the mire, WAR broke out. City was found guilty of financial irregularities during wartime, such as paying players which was not allowed.

The club was dissolved in 1919 and at the Metropole Hotel in the city, on October 17th, players were auctioned off along with other assets, in what was described as a "melancholy spectacle". Nine clubs bought 16 players totalling £9250. Leeds United was founded the next year.

Port Vale took over their fixtures to finish the season and ironically found themselves in a similar situation in 1968 but were "re-elected" by the other league clubs.
There is a Leeds City team formed in 2006, presently playing in the West Yorkshire League.

In 1905, another City club, Manchester, was found guilty of making illegal payments after a brilliant Cup and League run in 1904. 17 players from the club were banned and Manchester United manager, Ernest Mangnall stepped in early to nab three City bargins from the sale.

There was a lot of dodgy stuff going on in football those days.....nothing has changed.