Former Leeds United goalkeeper John Lukic made a landmark appearance for the club on this day in 1995, before a wonder goal from Ian Wright helped spoil the occasion.
John Lukic has a unique place in the history of Leeds United, as his career provided a bridge between the tail end of the Don Revie era and the club’s entry into the Premier League.
Although he is not revered among fans in the same way that his successor, Nigel Martyn, is, Lukic was an important figure at Elland Road across two long spells.
Lukic made his debut in 1979, in a side that featured Revie stalwart Trevor Cherry, was part of the title-winning side under Howard Wilkinson, and played in the Champions League for Arsenal in the year 2000.
It is fitting, therefore, that Leeds faced Arsenal on this day in 1995, as Lukic made his 400th appearance for the Whites.
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John Lukic made landmark Leeds United appearance on this day in 1995
Lukic ended his career as a two-club man, having spent two spells at both Leeds and Arsenal, enjoying significant success along the way.
Born in Chesterfield, Lukic made his league debut in 1979 and played a remarkable 146 consecutive games for the club, which remains a Leeds record.
Lukic left Leeds in 1983 to join the Gunners, where he played 223 times, winning the First Division title with the club in 1988/89 and the League Cup in 1986/87.
He returned to Leeds in 1990/91, as rising prospect David Seaman joined from QPR and went on to make 431 appearances in total for Leeds.
His 400th came on the 14th October 1995, in a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal, which is best remembered for a brilliant chip from Ian Wright, who turned David Wetherall inside out before leaving Lukic planted to the spot with a looping effort.
Lukic remains 17th on the list of all-time leading appearance makers for Leeds, one of only 19 players to have made more than 400 games for the club. Only Gary Kelly has made more appearances for Leeds than Lukic among players who made their debut after the shot-stopper.
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How many goalkeepers have more appearances than John Lukic?
Current Leeds manager Daniel Farke currently has a dilemma on his hands at goalkeeper, as Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri battle it out for a place in the Leeds side.
However, for a long time the goalkeeper position was something Leeds managers did not have to worry about, as a succession of keepers nailed down the number one shirt, as evidenced by LUFCData.
Most appearances as goalkeeper for Leeds United:
- Gary Sprake (1962-73) – 508
- David Harvey (1965-79, 83-85) – 447
- John Lukic (1978-83, 90-96) – 431
- Nigel Martyn (1996-2003) – 273
- Mervyn Day (1985-93) – 268
From Gary Sprake’s debut in 1962 to Martyn’s departure in 2003, the Leeds number one was one of the most easily identifiable roles in the squad.
Lukic is third on the list of most appearances by a Leeds goalkeeper, behind Sprake in the top spot and Lukic’s predecessor David Harvey in second. Current squad member Illan Meslier is surprisingly high on the list, with 215 appearances in seventh place.
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