Leeds United were confirmed as First Division champions back in 1991-92 thanks to a Manchester United win, and Eric Cantona celebrated by doing something crazy at 3am.
Earlier that day on April 26 in 1992, Leeds had secured a 3-2 win over Sheffield United thanks to goals from Rod Wallace, Jon Newsome and a Blades own goal. They needed Liverpool to do them a favour.
Later that evening, Ian Rush – who would go on to play for Leeds after his legendary Liverpool stint – and Mark Walters scored for The Reds to defeat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United and clinch the title.
Typically, the Leeds players celebrated by enjoying a big party following confirmation that they had won what would be the last-ever First Division title, before the Premier League began in the 92-93 season.
What Eric Cantona did at 3am during Leeds title celebrations
Ironically, Cantona would end up joining the side that Leeds had pipped to the title. The Frenchman had only joined Leeds in January but had scored three goals in 15 games in the second half of the season.
An initial loan, followed by a permanent move in the summer – costing a total of £1m. The celebrations began in The Flying Pizza in Leeds, before the squad headed to Martin Goldman’s house to continue.
Goldman’s Electrical company was a club sponsor at the time and he recalled in an interview with The Mail in 2022 of how then-Leeds player Cantona jumped into his swimming pool at 3am, still fully dressed.
“The place was buzzing. Then, at about 11.30pm, Batty said to me, ‘We are going back to yours, we are still celebrating’,” Goldman said. “In the end, about 250 people came back to mine. It was unbelievable.
” had a house with a swimming pool and a football pitch. Eric Cantona jumped in the pool with all of his clothes on. Was p***** out of his head. We were playing football in the garden at 3am,” Goldman added.
How Leeds United’s 91-92 season compared to Don Revie’s brace
It was Leeds’ third top-tier title and the last the club have won. The Whites went on to push for a place in the top three after the First Division turned into the Premier League but struggled, on and off the pitch.
Financial ruination in the early noughties still continues to affect the club, with Leeds yet to fully recover and return to the top of English football. Ninth under Marcelo Bielsa is the best Leeds have mustered.
But the title win did see Leeds end a wait of nearly 20 years to call themselves Champions again, with Revie guiding Leeds to title wins in 1968-69 and 1973-74. Revie lost just two games during his first title.
Leeds are currently in first place under Daniel Farke and while The Whites could be about to secure some silverware, it will only be the Championship title. But, a return to the top tier is on the horizon for Leeds.
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