60 |
Eirik Bakke (1999-2006) |
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Born
Sogndal in 1977, he signed for United in 1999 and soon became the find of
his initial season. Brought over from Norway to be groomed for Premiership
football, he made it impossible for Manager David O'Leary to leave him
out. Captain of the Norwegian under 21's, he went on to win full caps and
represented his country in Euro 2000. Voted Leeds Young Player of the Year,
his tremendous touch, passing ability and an eye for goal, his £1.75m fee
looked a bargain, until injuries started to dog his career. Has won 25 full
and 34 under 21 caps and, has 153 starts and 26 from the bench to date with
20 goals. He missed most of 2003-04 season and repeated the
misfortune in 2004-05, when he was loaned to Aston Villa.
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59 |
Terry Yorath (1967-1976) |
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Aggressive hard-tacking
Yorath emerged from the shadows of Elland Road to enjoy an international
career, which brought him 59 caps for Wales. He was noted at school for his
ability as a Rugby Union scrum-half but fate led him to become a rugged
defender and eventually an effective ball winning midfielder. In 165
appearances in league, cups and Europe for Leeds he scored 11 goals. After
leaving Leeds he went to Coventry, Spurs and the Vancouver Whitecaps before
starting a management career by becoming player manager of Bradford City.
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58 |
Robbie Keane (2000-2002) |
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Born
1980 in Dublin. Capped by Eire over 50 times with an excellent International
strike-rate, he rose quickly to prominence with Wolves where his ball skills
won the admiration of older players, scoring 24 goals in only 67 games. A
fee of £6m took him across the Midlands to Coventry City. He was the subject
of several very expensive transfer deals costing Inter-Milan £13m, United £12m
and Tottenham £7m as he changed clubs in quick succession. Often used by
United as a shock tactic bench player. Keane's quick-thinking and ball
skills made him a threat to any defence. United's glut of striker power saw
him reluctantly leave after initially turning down an £8m transfer to
Sunderland. Made 36 starts, with a further 18 from the bench scoring 19
times which was usually followed by his signature cart-wheel and gunslinger
celebration.
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57 |
David Wetherall (1991-1999) |
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Howard
Wilkinson signed him for Sheffield Wednesday in 1989. He and fellow defender
Jon Newsome followed Wilkinson when he moved to Leeds in 1991. A solid and
reliable central defender his studious approach to the game was reflected in
his gaining of a chemistry degree. He started 232 games and scored 18 times
before leaving for Bradford City in 1999. He earned cult staus with vital
goals against Man U, but earned even greater acclaim when scoring the winner
for Bradford City against Liverpool on the last day of the season, to save
his team from relegation and ensure United's qualification for the ECL.
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56 |
Chris Fairclough (1989-1995) |
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Born
Nottingham 1964, he joined his hometown club Forest in 1981 gaining the first
of his seven England under 23 International caps before leaving for
Tottenham Hotspurs in 1987. A classy defender, he was often given the man
marking role by Leeds after his 1989 transfer and graduated to defensive
midfield after David Batty left the club. Christened Courtney but preferring
to be known as Chris, he was voted Supporters player of the year in our
promotion season and followed this up by starring in our championship win in
1992. After 232 starts and 23 goals he moved to Bolton Wanderers in 1995.
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55 |
Michael Bridges (1999-2004) |
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Born
North Shields in 1978, the tall elegant striker had a magnificent first
season after joining United for a reported £5.6m from Sunderland in 1999,
leading the scorers with 21 goals, including an hat-trick in only his second
appearance at Southampton. The talented striker had played mainly understudy
to the Phillips-Quinn partnership at Sunderland and seemed destined for
higher honours in the game, after soon gaining England under 23 caps with
Leeds, and being called up to the full squad by Kevin Keegan. It was not to
be, as his career was blighted by injuries soon after his first season and
he spent almost 3 years in the treatment room before firstly going on loan
to Newcastle United and then being released on a free transfer to Bolton
Wanderers. Made 61 starts, 21 from the bench and scored 21 times.
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54 |
Duncan McKenzie (1974-1976) |
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Born
Grimsby in 1950, he turned professional with Nottingham Forest in 1968. He was
brought to Leeds by Brian Clough for £240,000. The manager had but a brief
stay but the dazzling showman forward became one of the most popular players
ever at Elland Road. His highly-individual skills which brought him some
stunning and spectacular goals. Despite being the idol of the Leeds fans and
leading goalscorer in 1975/76, he was sold to Anderlecht for £200,000, after
playing 76 games and scoring 30 goals. He soon returned to England and saw
service with Everton, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers before heading for the
United States and later Hong Kong.
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53 |
Willis Edwards (1925-1943) |
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Born
1903, Willis joined LUFC in 1925 from Chesterfield, he became the finest
wing-half of his day. His splendid ball control, incisive passing and
supreme heading ability earned him 16 England Caps and 11 appearances for
the Football League. Made 444 appearances and scored 6 goals until 1939 and
even then turned out in emergencies as a guest. Willis was a true Leeds
Legend,later serving time also as a Trainer and Manager.
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52 |
John Lukic (1990-1996) |
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He
signed for Leeds in 1978 where he succeeded David Harvey despite opposition
from future internationals David Seaman and Henry Smith. He made his debut
in 1979 and made a club record 146 consecutive appearances. After gaining
England Youth and under 23 honours his run was broken when he asked for a
transfer and he was signed by Arsenal in 1983 for £125,000.He never gained
full international status but won a League Cup Winners and runners up medal
together with a League Championship medal before reurning to LUFC fo £1m in
1990. He had a brilliant season as United took the championship in 1992. He
played 430 games before returning to Arsenal in 1996.
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51 |
Danny Mills (1999-2003) |
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Born
Norwich 1977, he initially played for his home town team. After a £4m
transfer from Charlton Athletic in 1999, Danny found himself with only 20
appearances in his first season with Leeds, due to the re-emergence of Gary
Kelly. He maintained enough form to be chosen at England under 21 level,
including the European Championship winning team in Slovakia. An
ideal player at EPL level he had the ability to play any of the back four
positions and to push forward in midfield if need be. He regained his first
team berth and won over his critics to become an important part of David
O'Leary's team. Despite a few on-field indiscretions, he won a place in
England's 2002 World Cup team, recovering from an initial poor performance
to become a solid performer, as the team reached the quarter finals.
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50 |
Ian Snodin (1985-1987) |
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Joined Doncaster with his
brother Glynn in 1980 as a teenager and although an unfashionable
club, Snodin's displays won him four England Under-23 caps in 1985. In May
that year he joined Leeds and succeeded Peter Lorimer as captain. He left
Leeds in 1987 to join Everton where he won a League Championship medal. He
later switched from midfield to right back and only injury prevented him
from being capped for England in Albania in 1989 He made 55 appearances for
Leeds scoring 8 goals.
Visit "Leeds United F.C. History" for more detailed information |
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49 |
Mervyn Day (1985-1993) |
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Hailed as a future England
goalkeeper after a breathtaking start to his career, he never quite
fulfilled that promise, although he enjoyed a successful second career at
Leeds. He was the youngest FA Cup Final goalkeeper in 1975, the same year he
was named Young Player of the Year and winning England Youth and Under 23
caps. Eddie Gray signed him for Leeds in 1985 and he played an important part in
Billy Bremner's teams and was a key figure in the run to the FA Cup
semi-final in 1987 before picking a Division Two winners medal with Howard
Wilkinson in 1990.
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48 |
Arthur Graham (1977-1983) |
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After only a handful of
Scottish League appearances, Graham won a Scottish FA Cup medal with
Aberdeen against Celtic in 1970, when he was 17. He joined Leeds in July
1977 and within months won the first of his 10 Scottish caps. A direct winger, he
netted three hat-tricks for Leeds, including a quick-fire effort at
Birmingham in January 1978. After United slumped, he stayed on one more
season before a surprise transfer to Manchester United in 1983. He made 259
appearances scoring 47 goals, including 3 goals in 3 European appearances.
Visit "Leeds United F.C. History" for more detailed information |
|
47 |
Jim Storrie (1962-1967) |
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Storrie's goals helped
Leeds United to establish themselves as a force to reckoned with on their
return to Division One in 1964. He was bought in June 1962 and marked his
debut with the winning goal on the opening day of the following season. He
finished 1962-63 with 25 league goals, played his part in United's promoting
drive the following season and was top scorer when they made their return to
Division One. In February 1967 he signed for Aberdeen and missed a penalty
in that year's Scottish Cup Final.
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46 |
Gary Sprake (1962-1973) |
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Remembered more
for two errors than for his wonderful 11 years (and over 200 clean sheets)
of helping Leeds win cups and top league placings. The gum chewing, 37 times
capped for Wales keeper still remains our goalkeeper with the most appearances. His
totally unsighted, instinctive save in Hungary denied the greatly superior
Ferencvaros, to give Leeds the honour of being the 1st English club to win
the Fairs Cup Final. But alas, history will remember Gary differently. He
moved to Birmingham in 1973, for £100,000 - after an alleged estrangement
from Don Revie.
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|
45 |
Rod Wallace (1991-1998) |
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Like
twin brother Ray, Rod was born in Lewisham in 1969. He signed for
Southampton in 1986 and soon won 11 under 23 and a couple of England "B"
caps. Joined Leeds in 1991 for £1.6m and his busy feet complimented the raw
power of Lee Chapman as they enjoyed a superb campaign in the championship
winning season. It resulted in his inclusion in the England Squad but injury
robbed him of the honour. His form dipped after that but his goal against
Tottenham Hotspur in April 1994 ranks as one of the greatest solo goals ever
seen at Elland Road. After 221 starts and 66 goals he left the club for
Glasgow Rangers in 1998, later playing with Bolton Wanderers and Gillingham.
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44 |
Gary Kelly (1991-2007 ) |
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Born
Drogheda 1974, after signing in 1991 he went from a struggling reserve-team
front man to World Cup full-back in 1993-94. He made the right-back
position his own with a series of superb displays, his blinding speed and
tenacity making him a daunting opponent for any winger. He was ever-present
in his first two seasons and presently has the most appearances of any
player at the club. Holder of over 50 caps for Eire he is approaching the
twilight of a long and distinguished career with United and has, as yet, no
silver wear to adorn it. He was selected in the Premiership "team of the
year" in 1999-2000. Record to 2004, 405 starts and 15 from the bench
with 3 goals.
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|
43 |
Frank Gray (1971-1979) |
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Younger
Brother of Eddie and Father of Andy, Frank was born in Glasgow in 1954.
Winner of 32 Scottish caps. Frank first joined Leeds in 1970, emulating
brother Eddie's feat of scoring on debut, he quickly settled in midfield,
gaining 5 under 23 caps before moving to left back. Moved to Nottingham
Forest in 1979, for a then club record £500,000, where he won an European Cup
winners medal to compliment the runners up medal gained at Leeds. He
returned to Leeds in 1981 for £300,000 and became Scotland's left back in the
1982 World Cup. In all he made 396 starts and scored 35 goals before joining
Sunderland in 1985.
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42 |
Ian Baird (1985-1987, 1988-1990) |
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Moved
to Leeds from Southampton in 1985 for £75,000. The robust striker, who's
aggression often got him in trouble with the referees, was United's top
scorer in 1986/87, but moved to Portsmouth in the close season for £285,000.
A hard up Portsmouth allowed him to return to Leeds for £185,000. The advent
of Lee Chapman saw him move on to Middlesborough for £500,000 where he scored
two goals against Newcastle United on the final Saturday of the season to
ensure his new team staved off relegation and his old team gave him a Second
Division championship medal! He made 190 appearances and scored 57 goals.
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|
41 |
Eric Cantona (1992) |
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Born
Paris 1966, hailed as a hero, the fiery French Star's shock departure to
arch-rivals Man United stunned Leeds Fans, many of them turning their
adulation into spite. He only stayed for 9 months and his record of 25
starts and a further 10 from the bench while hitting the net 14 times says
little for his cult status. The "Ooh-ah Cantona" love affair blossomed as
he recorded superb hat-tricks against Tottenham Hotspurs following the
superb treble against Liverpool at Wembley in the Charity Shield, and who
would ever forget his brilliant individual effort against Chelsea.
Visit "Leeds United F.C. History" for more detailed information |