My Leeds Utd XI

At last, it’s match week! It has been exactly 100 days since Leeds breezed past Huddersfield Town at Elland Road before the brakes were put on the season. In that time, to fill the void of no live football, TV broadcasters and Youtube have delved into the archives and shown classic matches from the past giving us a chance to reflect and revel in nostalgia. 

So with that in mind and to get us in the mood for English Football’s return this week, we’re going to review our Leeds United XI, not from all time, but from our era of supporting the whites. Sorry Bremner, Charles et al! We would love to hear yours too!  

Goalkeeper - Nigel Martyn 

Possibly the only non Revie era player that would get into an all time Leeds United XI and generally accepted as the club’s greatest ever keeper.  

One club stalwart of over 500 appearances, granted a testimonial in 2002 and gave all proceeds to cancer charities following the death of his sister. Ryan Giggs’s toughest opponent and who can forget that goal against Wigan complete with Fan Zone commentary. 

Arrived as an unknown from South Africa and retired 11 years later as a club legend and Nelson Mandela’s ‘hero’.  Lucas developed into one of the Premier League’s finest defenders and only consistent bad luck with injuries prevented him from being considered in the world’s elite. 

Arrived in the summer of 2016 as a relative unknown but with pedigree having just represented Sweden at Euro 2016. Pontus can almost single handedly be responsible for the relationship between the fans and players that exists today after years of that relationship being fractured with his matador like actions on the pitch and with the crowd. Ben White’s incredible performances on loan this season has softened the blow of his leaving, and means he hasn’t been missed as much as expected. 

Arrived alongside 14 other signings in 2014 in Massimo Cellino’s Serie B experiment and it says something of his commitment and love that has blossomed with Leeds that only he and Liam Cooper remain from that summer splurge. Better players have played in Leeds’s defence over the years but his passion and quiet off the pitch, warrior on it personality has gained the Swiss cult-hero status at Elland Road. 

Snoddy arrived in League One as a tricky winger with an eye for goal and helped propel Leeds from those depths and develop as the best player in the Championship in the early 2010’s before his ambition exceeded te club’s at the time. In Jon Howe’s 100 greatest Leeds United’s players he is ranked as the best Leeds player never to play in the top flight for the club. We also named our family dog after him so he has to have a place in this team!  

A high profile court case involving Bowyer and team mate Jonathan Woodgate threw the most exciting young team in Europe into chaos at the turn of the century. However, Bowyer’s performances were incredible at this time, tirelessly bossing games from
box to box against the Premier League and Europe’s elite and popping up with vital goals. It remains a ‘what if?’ moment if he hadn’t of been suspended for United’s Champions League semi - final 2nd leg at Valencia on the eve of the game.  

Leeds have a long history and love of combative number 4 central midfielders. Bobby Collins, Billy Bremner, Gordon Strachan and David Batty. It was thought Dacourt was brought in to replace the latter but instead they formed a formidable partnership. Hard in the tackle and a beautiful range of passing took Leeds up another level. 

Hernandez’s career looked like coming to an end and in his swan song when playing at Al- Arabi in Qatar before Garry Monk offered his old Swansea City team mate a short term deal at Leeds. That short term deal has blossomed into Pablo illuminating Elland Road with his wizardry and a huge part of Marcelo Bielsa’s team even at 35. 

Leeds have been blessed with many good number 9’s in the past but right up there is the burly Aussie. A touch of magnificent grace and a thunderous shot made him first choice even when rivalled by Smith, Fowler, Keane and Bridges for the forward role. His 4 goals against Liverpool in 2001 and his last minute winner at Highbury to save Leeds from relegation in 2003 will be remembered forever. 

The windscreen fitter who turned to Leeds United Superstar. Okay it didn’t happen like that over night but when Leeds went down to League One he was given his chance and 85 goals in three years suggest he took it. Two moments etched in 2010 etched him into Elland Road folklore when he scored the winner at Old Trafford to dump Manchester United out of the FA Cup and the goal on the final afternoon of 2009/10 to clinch promotion on his final ever appearance. Despite only playing for Leeds at their lowest ebb, his presence on the east stand and on Jamie Cooper’s Dream Scene painting suggest he is a bonafide Leeds legend and my personal favourite of all time. 

I’ve had 19 to choose from in 20 years of following the whites and only David O’Leary and Simon Grayson come close to Marcelo Bielsa. Rarely has a manager been so adored and the football of the past two years has been a joy to watch. Happy second anniversary too by the way to the King of Elland Road. 

I have to concede that Harry Kewell is in my opinion the best player I have seen play for Leeds in my time but his career choices since give him no place in this team. Likewise Alan Smith who I idolised as a child and Rio Ferdinand whose career took off at Leeds and went on to enjoy a glorious career at some small club across the Pennines. 

Other players I agonised over including were Dom Matteo, Ian Harte, Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio. 

The players in my team are not necessarily the best in each position I could of picked but i wanted my team to encapsulate the spirit of Leeds United and reflect the moments of joy they have given me.

 So to fill the time of the next six days before Cardiff away let us know your Leeds United XI. 

Marching On Together

Lawrence O’Sullivan