A look back at some Leeds United links and history as we prepare for a trip to Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday (12.30pm)...
Goalkeeper to goalscorer!
There can't be many goalkeepers who can claim to have scored a goal from open play for two clubs - Paul Robinson did just that for us and Leeds! Robbo scored with a late header to salvage a 2-2 draw for Leeds against Swindon in the League Cup on 24 September, 2003. Three and a half years later, he struck again, this time from deep in our half as a free-kick - aiming for Mido up front - sailed over advancing Ben Foster and home in a Premier League win against Watford at the Lane on 17 March, 2007. One of a number of players to feature for both teams, Robbo came through the Academy system at Elland Road - a member of Leeds' Youth Cup winning team in 1997 - to make 119 senior appearances before joining us in May, 2004. It wasn't long before he was England's #1 and played at the 2006 World Cup. He made 175 appearances for us before moving to Blackburn in 2008. Robbo took his career appearance tally to 498, plus 41 England caps, before retiring in 2017.
Early glimpse of Lennon at the Lane
Aaron Lennon was the youngest Premier League player when he made his Leeds debut against us at the Lane on August 23, 2003. Aged 16 years 129 days, 'Azza' replaced Mark Viduka in the 79th minute as we ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a rocket from Mauricio Taricco and substitute Fredi Kanoute's spectacular overhead kick. Aaron signed for us in July, 2005 and enjoyed a stellar career at Spurs over 10 years, quickly becoming and England regular - he made it into the 2006 World Cup squad - winning the League Cup in 2008 and helping us into the Champions League in 2010. He made 367 appearances in total before spells at Everton, Burnley, Kayserispor in Turkey and back to Burnley before retiring in 2022 - and he remains in the Premier League's top 10 youngest players list!
All going off at Elland Road - 1968!
Leeds were chasing glory on four fronts when we met Don Revie's famous side of the late 1960s/early 1970s twice over Easter in 1968. With the League Cup already in the bag, Leeds were also in the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and the First Division title race when they headed to N17 on Good Friday, 12 April. We ran out 2-1 winners as as Martin Chivers headed home Jimmy Greaves' cross, Paul Madeley levelled but we won it through a late Greavsie strike. Five days later the return match at Elland Road was described as 'a stormy affair' in a later programme feature by our Club Historian, Andy Porter. It all kicked-off on the hour, when Leeds were awarded a penalty after Pat Jennings clashed with Mick Jones. Big Pat was booked! As Andy describes it, 'Dave Mackay was so upset that as soon as the ball was put on the spot, he lashed it into the back of the net!' Peter Lorimer scored from the spot, and that proved the winner. Alan Gilzean was later sent off for what we'll describe as an 'off the ball incident'. Leeds won one of their last five league games to finish fourth (they won the title the next season, 1968/69), then lost the FA Cup semi-final against Everton, but lifted the UEFA Cup by beating Ferencvaros - now managed by Robbie Keane, ex of Spurs and Leeds - in the final.