Jovial photos take you back to Leeds in January 1997

By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 13th Jan 2026, 04:45 BST

These light-hearted photos chart a month in the life of your Leeds in the late 1990s.

They turn back the clock to January 1997 and showcase the stories making the news around the city. Students at a high school were preparing to stage a thriller while plans were unveiled for redevelop the land around Elland Road stadium. It was a 31 days which saw staff at Leeds City College pay tribute to a jazz legend while drinkers at a pub were banned from wearing baseball caps. READ MORE: Watch - Secrets of Leeds Queens Hotel revealed including hidden tunnel LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

These Wortley High School students were preparing to stage A Night of Fear, described as a production of shock, rock and horror. Pictured, from left, are Lindsey Havercroft, Richard Potter and Tanja Bage with some of the other performers.

1. Wortley

These Wortley High School students were preparing to stage A Night of Fear, described as a production of shock, rock and horror. Pictured, from left, are Lindsey Havercroft, Richard Potter and Tanja Bage with some of the other performers. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox

Leeds College of Music paid tribute to Ronnie Scott who would have been 70 on January 28, 1997. This datewas remembered by the College at a specially dedicated lunchtime jazz session in the Civic Theatre Bar. Pictured are jazz tutor Al Wood, left, alto sax and Bill Charleson, tenor sax, in action.

2. Leeds city centre

Leeds College of Music paid tribute to Ronnie Scott who would have been 70 on January 28, 1997. This datewas remembered by the College at a specially dedicated lunchtime jazz session in the Civic Theatre Bar. Pictured are jazz tutor Al Wood, left, alto sax and Bill Charleson, tenor sax, in action. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox

An artist's impression of a proposed arena development at Elland Road.

3. Leeds United

An artist's impression of a proposed arena development at Elland Road. | Caspian Photo: Caspian

Leeds Schools FA U-15s are pictured with Premier League stars of the future featured in the line up. Back row, from left, are Danny Gautney, Shaun Hobson, Gareth Morgan, John Hosfield, James Jeffrey, Gareth Liversidge, Jerome Nolan, Peter Laybourn and Richard Hall. Front row, from left, are Harpal Singh, Aaron Lennon, Nick Montgomery, Andy Moores, Neil Davis, Calem Connolly, Adam Nuller and Oliver Whiteley.

4. Elland Road

Leeds Schools FA U-15s are pictured with Premier League stars of the future featured in the line up. Back row, from left, are Danny Gautney, Shaun Hobson, Gareth Morgan, John Hosfield, James Jeffrey, Gareth Liversidge, Jerome Nolan, Peter Laybourn and Richard Hall. Front row, from left, are Harpal Singh, Aaron Lennon, Nick Montgomery, Andy Moores, Neil Davis, Calem Connolly, Adam Nuller and Oliver Whiteley. | Justin Lloyd Photo: Justin Lloyd

Drinkers were banned from wearing baseball caps in The Alwoodley pub. Pictured is manager Darren Greenwood.

5. Alwoodley

Drinkers were banned from wearing baseball caps in The Alwoodley pub. Pictured is manager Darren Greenwood. | Roy Fox Photo: Roy Fox

Olympic javelin thrower Mick Hill visited Carr Manor Primary where he presented the school's U-11s athletic team with the Leeds Primary Schools Indoor Athletics championship trophy and awards.

6. Meanwood

Olympic javelin thrower Mick Hill visited Carr Manor Primary where he presented the school's U-11s athletic team with the Leeds Primary Schools Indoor Athletics championship trophy and awards. | YPN Photo: YPN

Leeds 1990s Wortley Otley

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