Leeds United fans will love who Vinnie Jones picked as the best captain of his career

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Former Leeds United cult hero Vinnie Jones has named one of his former teammates at Elland Road as the best captain he ever played with.

Vinnie Jones was brought to Leeds while the club were still in the Second Division, as legendary manager Howard Wilkinson looked to steer them back to the top flight.

Although Jones only played one full season at Elland Road, he played a crucial role in a combative midfield that also included the likes of Chris Kamara and David Batty.

Jones’ time at Leeds was cut short, as Wilkinson brought in midfielder Gary McAllister, who would eventually form part of a title-winning side the following year.

Now, reflecting on his time at Leeds, Jones has named another member of that title-winning side as the greatest professional and the greatest captain he has ever played under.

Vinnie Jones praises title-winning Leeds United teammate

Speaking to the Absolute Jokes podcast, alongside hosts Ray Parlour and Alan Brazil, Jones opened up on his time at Elland Road.

According to Jones, there was a long debate over whether he would captain the side or Scotland international Gordon Strachan. Despite missing out on the captaincy, Jones believes Wilkinson made the right decision to select Strachan, who eventually led Leeds to the title.

Strachan said: “When I went to Leeds, [we had] Gordon Strachan, and it was a toss-up, we’d done the pre-season and all that.

“And in all the papers, it was who’s going to be captain, who’s going to be captain? Me or him, me or him?

“And I’ve got to say he was the best, probably the best pro I’ve ever played with. Definitely the best captain I’ve ever played under, but as a man and a person and a motivator and a leader, he was fantastic. Only a little fella.

“Top player, and he had that respect, and it was the right decision. He became the captain at Leeds, and it became fantastic under him.”

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Why did Vinnie Jones leave Leeds United?

Wilkinson made a string of difficult decisions at Elland Road, famously selling Eric Cantona to Manchester United, and the decision to sell Jones was a similarly tough call.

Having signed McAllister for £1 million following their promotion back to the First Division, Jones found his opportunities in the first team limited, as Wilkinson backed the famous midfield quartet of Gary Speed, Batty, McAllister, and Strachan.

Jones eventually joined Sheffield United for £750,000 in September 1990, and Wilkinson justified the decision speaking to the York Press, via newspapers.com, stating: “Vinnie goes with my regret, but also my blessing. It would be impossible to measure his contributions at Leeds since he joined us.

“We are parting as good friends, but the crux of the matter is that he needs first-team football. I very reluctantly agreed to his transfer request because, although I fully understand his frustrations, I do not agree with them.”