I was thinking to myself, what would I see as the best Leeds United team of all time, taking the great players from all generations and creating one 11-man line-up which could, in my opinion, be the best?
The players I came up with didn't necessarily always score the most goals or were part of trophy-winning sides, but to me, they are the best. Some choices may seem questionable to most, but remember this is all about opinion. I've gone for the traditional 4-4-2 formation, so here we go...
GK: Nigel Martyn- Signed by Howard Wilkinson in 1996, he was the keeper who was part of Leeds' 'European adventure' in the 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 seasons, putting in man-of-the-match performances against some of Europe's best, most notably away at A.S. Roma. He served the club for 7 years, making 273 appearances, and was named in 'Leeds United's greatest team'. A worthy nomination.
RB: Gary Kelly- One of my all-time favourite Leeds United players. The Republic of Ireland full-back put everything into every game I ever saw him play for the Whites. A one-club man, now a rarity in the game where so many transfers take place. He reached the milestone of 500 appearances for the club at home to Luton Town in February 2006, shortly after an F.A Cup replay against Wigan, in which he scored a stunning volley; one of only 4 goals in his career.
CB: Jack Charlton- The record-holder for most Leeds United appearances, this being just one of many honours Charlton earned in his time at Leeds. Another who only played for one team, he won a League Championship, an F.A Cup, a League Cup and two Fairs Cups with Leeds, as well as having a World Cup winners' medal to his name. Despite being a centre-back, Charlton was never shy going forward either, scoring an impressive 70 league goals.
CB: Lucas Radebe- 'The Chief'. Signed from Kaiser Chiefs in South Africa in 1994, he soon became a fan's favourite and a club legend. Radebe played over 200 league games for the club, which would have been more had he not been plagued with injury towards the end of his career. Not only was he a great player, but also a top quality ambassador for football. In 2005, as he retired from playing, proceeds from his testimonial, which attracted international stars and a huge crowd at Elland Road, were donated to charity. He also has been known to have a friendship with Nelson Mandela, who once even proclaimed that Radebe was "his hero".
LB: Terry Cooper- Another of the great Revie side of the 60s and 70s. His career didn't start in the most usual circumstances. He simply turned up at Leeds with a pair of football boots and asked for a trial, from then on he impressed enough to earn a place in the team. His honours while at the club include a League Cup, in which he scored the only goal of the final against Arsenal, 2 Fairs Cups, and the F.A Cup in 1972. However, Cooper missed the final following a terrible injury in April of that year, which saw him out of the game for almost 2 years. Once back to fitness, he had lost his place in the team to Trevor Cherry and the emerging Frank Gray. He left the club shortly after, but will always be remembered as a great full-back of the Revie era.
RM: Peter Lorimer- The all-time leading goalscorer for Leeds United with a staggering 238 goals in 703 games. He also set the record for Leeds' youngest ever player, making his debut at just 15. His powerful strikes were enough to worry opposing defenders and earn him nicknames like "Lash" and "Hotshot", with some of his shots at goal reaching 90mph it is said. A legend of the game and the club, has to be in this team.
CM: Billy Bremner- The song Leeds United fans sing about him speaks for itself really; "Little Billy Bremner is the captain of our crew, for the sake of Leeds United he would break himself in two, his hair is red and fuzzy and his body black and blue, as Leeds go marching on." The epitome of Revie's Leeds team, a fan's favourite, voted Leeds United's greatest ever player, a member of both English and Scottish football's halls of fame, in his 772 appearances for Leeds no-one was as great as Billy Bremner. The statue in his memory and honour outside Elland Road is a fitting tribute, and so is a place in this team and any "Leeds United's greatest".
CM: John Sheridan- One of the brighter things to come out of the dark decade of the 80s in Leeds United's history. The Irish international played 272 games for the club, scoring 53 goals along the way. A big favourite with the fans, he helped Leeds reach the semi-finals of the F.A Cup and achieve 4th place in the old Second Division in the 1986/87 season, only missing out on promotion in the play-offs.
LM: Robert Snodgrass- The only current Leeds player to make it into the team. He may not have the experience or the honours of other possible contenders, but there's no denying he's a great footballing talent. Since joining from Livingston in 2008 he has made 176 appearances, scoring 39 goals, with many more assists to his name. As Leeds gained promotion, 'Snoddy' was named in the League One Team of the Year, and under new manager Neil Warnock has been named as club captain. Hopefully one for the future, to accompany what he has already achieved.
ST: Allan Clarke- The scorer of the winning goal which saw Leeds United lift the F.A Cup for the only time in their history in 1972. Allan 'Sniffer' Clarke was a poacher in front of goal, scoring 151 goals in 351 games for the Whites. Most notable of those was him Wembley goal against Arsenal, a classic Clarke goal, stooping to head the ball into the corner. His partnership with Mick Jones was one of the most renowned features of the Leeds United team under Don Revie, being half of that duo has to earn Clarke a place in my team.
ST: John Charles- Known as "the Gentle Giant", Charles was never booked or sent off in his 327 appearances for Leeds United, where he played both centre forward and centre back. His best attribute was probably his goal-scoring, with a total of 157, including one season in which he managed a ratio of more than a goal every game. He left a great legacy from his time at the club, with the West Stand of Elland Road being named after him, and a bust of him can be found in the entrance lobby to the Banqueting Suite. There is also the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds, named after the Welshman.
So there you have it. My personal Leeds United all-time XI. Feel free to comment with any changes you'd make, remember it's all about personal opinion.
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