At the start of the 20th century, association football was quick to take its place as the world’s passion. Not everywhere, though. The USA still resists its charms in the 21st century. And the city of Leeds was slow to drop its preference for seeing an oval ball thrown.

Leeds City FC were a losing proposition, on the pitch and financially, but as long as Norris Hepworth matched his enthusiasm with the spare profits from his family’s fashion empire — which eventually became Next — the city and The City had boosters determined to make ‘socker’ a success. It also had a big football ground on Elland Road, and in 1910 The Football Association, from a combination of pity, benevolence, and knowing that a big market in one of the north’s biggest cities could become a big earner, offered a reward for Hepworth and City’s six years of trying to get the game going. Elland Road would host the FA Cup semi-final between Barnsley and Everton, bringing top class football to impress the locals, and a big influx of cash from visiting fans.

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