Someone asked on Twitter if Pablo Hernandez was a Leeds Legend. The answers ranged from yes, no, yes when we’re promoted, no not played enough games, no not won anything. It got me thinking, how would you define a Leeds legend? Even if we’re promoted I wouldn’t define any current player as legend status yet even if promoted, is that harsh?
Think a lot depends on ones age. To someone of my vintage, my legends were Dons team. Every one of them. That’s my benchmark then when trying to figure out the modern day ones. It’s an unfair comparison but I can’t help it. Anyone too young to have witnessed Dons team likely won’t Use the same standard to compare to. For supporters in their twenties, like my daughters, they barely have any top flight footie to relate to at all so the likes of Pablo and Snoddy are legends
I would agree with that approach as I too started in 1970 and in those days players tended to stay around with one team for a lot longer. Therefore to me the true legends are the players from the Don's team of the early 70s but there have been plenty of truly great players since then such as Strachan, vinnie, yeboah, nigel Martin, Gary speed David batty.... Actually they are quite legendary too!
Legend - an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field. There's obviously the Revie lot. John Charles. Wilko's promotion and division 1 winners. Then it gets interesting. Players like Yeboah, Martyn, Kelly who won nothing. The old league 1 guys like Beckford, Becchio got all the headlines but Andy Hughes was popular and those who were there at Tranmere will never forget Tresor Kandol. It's all relative to the individual fan. I remember 'the Terminator' Molenaar. Still brings a smile to my face. In my mind they are the players who are unforgettable. Does that make them a legend? It probably does. Does it matter if it's a positive or negative light? Probably not, as long as they were memorable. As fans we only try and remember the good ones but by definition the bad ones are equally deserving of the title. I mean, feck me, I will never forget Carlton Palmer in a Leeds shirt.
A few on Twitter said Yeboah but I’ve a feeling it’s the wonder goals he scored that stick in people’s minds and he was only with us two seasons. Vinnie Jones is a cult hero for me but not a legend, post Revie for me is McAllister, Strachan, Batty, Speed and Radebe. I can’t even include Lee Chapman, I’ve never took to him and I can’t answer why. Lee Bowyer, I’m not sure, another cult hero or legend?
For me the one we should have kept but didn't was Cantona in my opinion he should have been a legend for us and not them.
This makes a lot of sense. Vinnie definitely a cult hero and I love him to bits, but a club legend ? Not really, I reckon he would agree. Revie's team goes without saying and the lads from Wilko's side too. Lee Bowyer, not for me. A fantastic player but not a legend, if we'd gone on to win the champions league that season then it would've been a different matter. But ask my son and he would say Beckford and that's a valid point. He's been a Leeds fan since he was a nipper when we were in league one so the guy that scored all our goals, including the one that knocked the scum out of the cup and the one that got us promoted makes him a legend in his eyes (and a minor one in mine, if that's not a contradiction in terms !), and Jansson would be his version of Vinnie.
I think we should have a section called super dooper Legends and another group a second tier so to speak called Legends. Tony Currie was a Legend on the pitch to me anyway.
I started in the 80's. My favourites, though can't really call them legends are Ian Baird and John Sheridan
You don't become a legend because you sold him a house, and no I don't want to hear the story again uncle Albert.
I know, just a bit of banter. Go on then get the story over with, next door neighbour, down the road, had a meal, whatever it was, go for it Albert.
Radebe Legend, special mention for Andy Hughes, Vinny, Strachen, and Alioski as favourites with a special fan connection.
You've absolutely nailed it, Rich. It had never occurred to me that there are legends, and there are cult heroes. Legends are very special, & it would be unusual for a Leeds fan not to acknowledge a true legend. Cult heroes, are a level below, and these guys might be subject to argument. Andy Hughes, for instance, is a cult hero imo, and just doesn't have the qualities to be an undeniable legend. Yeboah - cult hero. Had he been here longer +/or won more, then he could have been a legend. But he's not, imo, 'just' a cult hero.
