Leeds United’s last title win was in 1992, the final season of the old Division One before the initiation of the Premier League. But where are those players now?
John Lukic:
The former Leeds shot stopper who enjoyed two stints at Leeds United and Arsenal played an integral role in the Championship winning season for the Yorkshire side and upon retiring in 2001 took up coaching. Lukic has been used by Arsene Wenger for coaching on a part time basis at Arsenal over the past few years.
Mel Sterland:
The Leeds United right back was seen as a bit of a Zico amongst the Leeds United faithful, being known for his set piece abilities. Sterland joined Leeds United when they were in the old Second Division and helped them gain promotion; furthermore Sterland was a key member of the title winning 1991/92 side. Upon leaving Leeds United Sterland played for Boston United before becoming player manager. He starred in football film ‘When Saturday Comes’ alongside Sheffield favourite Sean Bean and has released an Autobiography entitled ‘Boozing, Betting and Brawling.’ Unfortunately due to health issues Sterland is now unable to work, yet is believed to be penning a new book about his time as a professional.
Chris Fairclough:
The solid and reliable centre back hailing from Nottingham played a vital role in Leeds’s title winning side. Having joined Leeds United from Tottenham Hotspur in 1989 he was immediately placed in the heart of Leeds defence; having won player of the year in 1990 Fairclough was extremely popular with the fans. Upon his departure from Leeds the centre back had spells at Bolton, Notts County and York City. Fairclough is now a first team coach at a resurgent Nottingham Forest under Billy Davies.
Chris Whyte:
Leeds’s other centre back has been much of a journeyman throughout his career, The Londoner has played for numerous English teams such as Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Birmingham and West Brom as well as stints in the United States and Finland. Whyte made 113 appearances for the Whites and was last heard to be coaching in Finland for HyPS.
Tony Dorigo
The Australian born Englishmen enjoyed spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa before joining the title winning Leeds United side. The left back was of international quality with 15 England caps to his name. Following his retirement from the game Dorigo became a football pundit for numerous channels, particularly for Italian football coverage as he spent a season at Torino following his spell at Leeds. It is known that he is a property developer.
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Gordon Strachan
The short Scotsman enjoyed some of his best football years at two of the biggest rivals in the game with spells Manchester United and Leeds. The talented right midfielder was quick, aggressive and his goal contribution was fantastic. With 37 goals in 197 appearances for Leeds, Strachan was a mainstay of the side. Upon retirement Strachan entered management and has been quite successful. Spells with Coventry City and Southampton gave Strachan the opportunity to manage Celtic where he won three successive league titles. Strachan now manages at Championship promotional hopefuls Middlesbrough.
Gary McAllister:
Another Scot who graced Elland Road for the Whites is still to this day a big Leeds United favourite. McAllister provided Leeds with much creativity in the middle of midfielder and was an experienced Scottish international. Having had a spell at Coventry and Liverpool following his Leeds career McAllister came back for a brief management spell at Leeds in January 2008, he was dismissed from the position just 11 months into the job following some poor results. McAllister is currently out of work but has made it clear he would be interested in a management position if one became available.
David Batty:
The former England international was a no-nonsense midfielder much in the mould of Roy Keane who played centrally alongside Gary McAllister. Batty was only 22 yrs old when Leeds won the title and was seen as one of the most promising young English midfielders of his generation. Sold to Blackburn Rovers in 1993, Batty has had a successful career with a Premier League title to his name for the Lancashire club in 1995. Following a stint at Newcastle Batty returned to see out his career at Leeds United. Batty now spends the majority of his time working for numerous charities, including Cancer Research.
Gary Speed:
The evergreen Welshman made his name as a player during his Leeds United years and is one of the highest regarded players in British game. Having played on the left side for Leeds United, the former Welsh captain left Leeds in 1996 to join Everton before a lengthy spell at Newcastle United and a final flourish for Bolton and Sheffield United. With 669 league appearances, Speed was one of the games most reliable players. Following his spell at Sheffield United, Speed retired and is now a first team coach at the Yorkshire club.
Rod Wallace:
The former Southampton striker joined Leeds in 1991 and helped them gain the title in his first season. The pace filled striker scored 53 goals in 212 for the West Yorkshire side and after his spell at Leeds joined Ranger’s on a free transfer in 1998. Wallace was last seen as assistant manager of Kingstonian’s Under 18 squad in 2008.
Lee Chapman
The Leeds United legend has been hailed as the key ingredient to Leeds winning the league title in 1991. His 16 goals in 38 games that season were enough to pip Manchester United to the Championship. Known for his aerial presence, the striker scored many of his goals from set pieces or with his head. Having left Leeds in 1993 Chapman spent his final years playing for numerous clubs including Portsmouth, West Ham and Ipswich Town. Chapman now is married to actress Leslie Ash and runs numerous properties and bars around the country.
