The 757 certainly had redeemable TO performance.
The first to visit Leeds/Bradford was in early 1984. At time runway was 15/33 and only 5400feet.
Monarch put a 75 on what was normally a 737 operation to Palma. Presumably only carrying the 73's pax load but rumour had it they took baggage from co-timed Britannia flight saving that flight a tech stop for fuel.