Legends

Leeds United legends have left an indelible mark on a club which has a rich history of remarkable players to have graced Elland Road.

From Billy Bremner to Norman Hunter to Lucas Radebe, these players are celebrated for their exceptional talent, leadership, and commitment to the team.

Billy Bremner

Billy Bremner is one of the great Leeds United legends, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s history. He spent 17 years at Leeds, playing over 750 games and winning numerous trophies, including two league titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.

Bremner joined Leeds United as a 17-year-old in 1959 and quickly established himself as a combative midfielder with a fantastic work rate. He captained the team to their first-ever league title in 1969, and then led them to European glory in the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, scoring in both legs of the final against Juventus.

Bremner’s leadership and determination were key to Leeds’ success during this period. He was a tenacious player who never gave up, and his ability to drive his team forward inspired his teammates to raise their game. He was also an excellent passer of the ball, with a great vision and understanding of the game.

In addition to his success with Leeds, Bremner was a regular for the Scotland national team. He earned 54 caps for his country and captained them at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany.

After retiring from playing, Bremner went on to have a successful career as a manager, including a spell in charge of Leeds in the early 1980s.

Bremner’s legacy at Leeds United is immense. He is remembered as a true club legend, a player who embodied the spirit and values of the club. His statue stands outside Elland Road, the home of Leeds United, as a testament to his enduring impact on the club and its fans.

Eddie Gray

Eddie Gray joined Leeds as a teenager in 1963 and quickly established himself as one of the most talented young players in the country. He was a technically gifted winger with excellent dribbling skills and a knack for scoring spectacular goals.

Gray was a key part of the Leeds team that won the First Division title in 1969 and the Fairs Cup in 1971. He also played a crucial role in the team that reached the European Cup final in 1975, scoring a stunning goal in the semi-final against Barcelona.

Gray was known for his incredible skill on the ball, his ability to beat defenders, and his eye for goal. He was also a tireless worker on the pitch, always willing to track back and help out his teammates in defence.

After retiring from playing, Gray went on to have a successful career as a coach and manager. He had several spells in charge of Leeds United, as well as coaching stints at several other clubs.

Gray’s legacy at Leeds United is immense. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, a player who embodied the spirit and values of the club. His statue stands outside Elland Road, along with having an entire suite dedicated to his name at the ground. Immortalised.

Jack Charlton

Jack Charlton was one of the most iconic players in the history of Leeds United Football Club. He spent his entire playing career at the club, making over 750 appearances and winning numerous domestic and European titles.

Charlton was a commanding centre-back who was known for his towering presence, his incredible strength in the air, and his unwavering commitment to the team. He formed a formidable defensive partnership with Norman Hunter, and the two players became known as “The Iron Curtain” for their ability to shut down opposing attacks.

Charlton was a key part of the Leeds team that won the First Division title in 1969, as well as the Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971. He also played a crucial role in the team that reached the European Cup final in 1975, where they were narrowly defeated by Bayern Munich.

Off the pitch, Charlton was known for his warm personality and his love for the club. He was a fan favourite at Elland Road, and his name became synonymous with the success and glory of Leeds United.

After retiring from playing, Charlton went on to have a successful career as a manager, but it is his time as a player that he will be remembered for most. He was a true icon of the game, a player who embodied the spirit and values of Leeds United, and his legacy at the club will never be forgotten.

Norman Hunter

During his time at the club, Norman Hunter established himself as a Leeds United legend. He was one of the toughest and most feared defenders in English football, known for his uncompromising style of play and fierce tackles. He was a key part of the legendary Leeds United side that won two league titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup and reached the European Cup final.

Hunter started his career as an apprentice at Leeds, making his debut for the club in 1962 at the age of 18. He quickly established himself as a regular in the first-team squad, and his tough-tackling style and no-nonsense approach to defending quickly made him a fan favourite. Hunter played in a number of different positions during his time at the club, but he was most often used as a centre-back, where he formed a formidable partnership with Jack Charlton.

Hunter’s performances for Leeds soon caught the attention of the England selectors, and he made his debut for the national team in 1965. He went on to win 28 caps for England and played in the 1970 World Cup, where he helped the team reach the quarter-finals.

Hunter’s time at Leeds was not without controversy, however. He was famously sent off during the 1973 FA Cup final against Sunderland for a wild tackle on Jim Montgomery, and he was also involved in a number of on-field altercations with opposition players over the years. Despite this, he remained a hugely popular figure among Leeds fans, who affectionately nicknamed him “Bites Yer Legs” due to his tough-tackling style.

After leaving Leeds in 1976, Hunter went on to have spells with Bristol City and Barnsley before retiring from football in 1982. He later worked as a coach and a pundit and remained a regular presence around Leeds United, where he was widely regarded as a club legend. Hunter sadly passed away in April 2020, but his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of Leeds United will live on.

Peter Lorimer

Peter Lorimer is one of the greatest players in the history of Leeds United, having spent a total of 16 years at the club across two spells. During his time at Leeds, Lorimer established himself as one of the most prolific and talented goalscorers in English football, known for his powerful shooting from a distance and his ability to find the back of the net with both feet.

Lorimer made his debut for Leeds United in 1962 at the age of just 15 after graduating from the academy and quickly established himself as a regular in the first team. He was a key part of the legendary Leeds United side that won two league titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup and reached the European Cup final during the 1960s and 1970s. He also played a key role in Leeds’ run to the European Cup final in 1975, where they were narrowly beaten by Bayern Munich.

Throughout his time at Leeds, Lorimer’s shooting ability was one of his most notable attributes. He scored a number of memorable goals for the club, including a long-range strike against Burnley in 1970 that is still regarded as one of the greatest goals ever scored at Elland Road. In total, Lorimer scored 238 goals in 705 appearances for Leeds, both of which are club records.

After retiring from playing, Lorimer remained involved in football as a coach and a pundit, and he continued to be a beloved figure among Leeds fans. His passing in March 2021 was a great loss to the club and the wider footballing community, but his legacy as one of Leeds United’s greatest-ever players will live on.

John Charles

John Charles is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Leeds United, having spent eight years at the club during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Charles was a versatile player who could play as a centre-back, a centre-forward, or even as a winger, and he was known for his exceptional physical attributes and his outstanding technical ability.

Charles made his debut for Leeds United in 1949 and quickly established himself as one of the most talented young players in the country. He played a key role in Leeds’ promotion to the First Division in 1956 and was a vital part of the team that finished second in the league in the 1956-57 season.

In total, Charles scored 93 goals in 155 appearances for Leeds United, including a hat-trick in a 7-1 win over Doncaster Rovers in 1953. He was also a regular for the Welsh national team, earning 38 caps and scoring 15 goals.

Charles’ performances at Leeds United earned him a move to Italian giants Juventus in 1957, where he became the first British player to command a transfer fee of over £100,000. He went on to enjoy great success in Italy, winning three Serie A titles and reaching the European Cup final in 1963.

Despite his success in Italy, Charles remained a beloved figure among Leeds fans, and he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2006. His passing in 2004 was a great loss to the club and the wider footballing community, but his legacy as one of Leeds United’s greatest-ever players will live on.

Allan Clarke

Allan Clarke is considered to be one of the great Leeds United legends. The striker joined Leeds in 1969 from Leicester City for a then-club-record fee of £165,000 and quickly established himself as a key player for the team.

Clarke’s first season at Leeds was a successful one, as he helped the team to win the First Division title and reach the European Cup final, where they lost to AC Milan.

He went on to score a total of 151 goals in 364 appearances for the club, making him the fifth-highest goalscorer in Leeds’ history.

One of Clarke’s most memorable moments at Leeds came in the 1972 FA Cup final, where he scored the winning goal against Arsenal in the 53rd minute. The goal, which was a diving header from a Mick Jones cross, secured Leeds’ first FA Cup trophy in the club’s history.

Clarke’s ability to score goals in big games and his technical ability on the ball made him a valuable asset for Leeds. He was known for his intelligent movement off the ball and his ability to create chances for his teammates as well as himself.

Clarke left Leeds in 1978 to join Barnsley, but his legacy at the club remains strong. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year three times during his time at Leeds and was also capped 19 times by the England national team.

Overall, Allan Clarke’s Leeds United playing career was marked by his exceptional talent as a striker, and his ability to score important goals at pivotal moments.

Gordon Strachan

Gordon David Strachan OBE is an undeniable Leeds United legend. The right-sided midfielder who spent some of his finest years playing at Elland Road. He spent seven seasons as Leeds United club captain, winning the 1989–90 Second Division and 1991–92 First Division league titles along the way.

In March 1989, Strachan was signed by Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson which required dropping down into the Second Division. He quickly became a popular figure at Elland Road, and earned comparisons to former favourites Bobby Collins and Johnny Giles.

He signed a two-year contract and was awarded the captain’s armband – whilst forming an unlikely midfield partnership with hard-man Vinnie Jones and led the club to the Second Division title in 1989–90.

With the Whites now in the First Division, Wilkinson secured a midfield quartet of Strachan, Gary McAllister, David Batty and Gary Speed.

They achieved a commendable fourth-place finish in 1990–91 and also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. Strachan was voted FWA Footballer of the Year for his performances during the campaign – becoming the first man to win the award both in Scotland and in England.

He became an even bigger fan favourite when he captained Leeds to the league title in 1991–92, subsequently denying his former club Manchester United the title.

Lucas Radebe

Lucas Radebe is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders to ever play for Leeds United Football Club. The South African centre-back joined Leeds in 1994 from Kaizer Chiefs and quickly established himself as a key player for the team.

Radebe’s first few seasons at Leeds were hampered by injuries, but he gradually became a regular starter for the team and was named club captain in 1998. He led the team to some of their most successful seasons in recent history, including a memorable run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2001.

Off the pitch, Radebe was an inspirational figure, using his profile to promote anti-racism campaigns and other social causes. He was also known for his charity work, particularly in his native South Africa, where he set up the Lucas Radebe Education Trust to support disadvantaged children.

Unfortunately, Radebe’s career was cut short by injuries, and he was forced to retire in 2005 at the age of 35. However, he remains a beloved figure among Leeds fans, who affectionately refer to him as “The Chief”.

Jermaine Beckford

Jermaine Beckford‘s Leeds United career is considered to be one of the most successful in recent history.

The striker joined Leeds from non-league side Wealdstone in 2006 and quickly established himself as a key player for the team. Over the course of his five-year stint at the club, Beckford scored 85 goals in 152 appearances, becoming a fan favourite and a cult hero among the Leeds faithful.

One of Beckford’s most memorable moments at Leeds came in the 2009-10 season when he scored a crucial goal in the League One play-off final against Bristol Rovers, securing promotion to the Championship for the team. He also scored a number of important goals in Leeds’ run to the FA Cup fourth round in 2010, including a brace against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Beckford’s ability to score goals in big games and his work rate on the pitch made him a valuable asset for Leeds. He was named the club’s Player of the Year in the 2008-09 season and also won the Football League Young Player of the Month award twice.

Despite his impressive performances for Leeds, Beckford left the club in 2010 to join Everton. He later played for a number of other clubs, including Leicester City and Preston North End, before retiring in 2018.

Overall, Jermaine Beckford’s time at Leeds United was marked by his exceptional talent as a striker and his ability to score crucial goals in important games. He remains a beloved figure among Leeds fans, who still sing his name at Elland Road to this day.