Some Leeds United fans have offered a clear message to former Whites defender Lucas Radebe after the South African suggested he was treated ‘like a Yorkshireman’ during his time at Elland Road.
Radebe spent 11 years in West Yorkshire, having signed with the club from Kaizer Chiefs in 1994 and never stepped foot on the field for a domestic game in another side’s jersey before retiring in 2005.
The 70-time international made 235 outings for United over his years in England, across which he was shown just 35 yellow cards, two red cards, named captain by George Graham and featured heavily in the early stages of our 2000/01 Champions League efforts.
Radebe has now admitted to the BBC’s Football Focus, via quotes by the Yorkshire Evening Post, that he felt like he belonged to Leeds as the fans warmly adopted him.
“I still get goosebumps thinking about Champions League nights at Elland Road,” the 50-year-old said.
“I really enjoyed my time there. I felt like I belonged to Leeds. To come from the streets of Soweto to have a career in the UK and in the Premier League.
“For me, it was the appreciation to the people of Leeds. They took me in as one of theirs. I was like a Yorkshireman.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to his comments with a clear message, that Radebe was not just ‘like a Yorkshireman’ he will ‘always be Yorkshireman’…
The Chief will always be a Yorkshireman. #LUFC https://t.co/cPPTydKExt
— David jones (@15DMJ) March 30, 2020
Lucas, you are a Yorkshireman, just born somewhere else..👍
— Daley (@Daley57486700) March 30, 2020
Leeds Legend! Enough said! MOT
— Wol Wowczuk (@Wol66704777) March 30, 2020
You’ll always be Yorkshireman in our eyes Lucas best back four player we’ve ever had MOT
— Robert liversidge (@RobertDogsnob) March 30, 2020
Forever an Hounorary Yorkshireman MOT
— STUART WILSON (@wilsosd) March 30, 2020
You’ll always be one of us Chief @LucasRadebe
— andy mundy (@mundymanic) March 30, 2020
No “like” about it chief, you are a Yorkshirman! MOT
— Nathan Evans (@n4th4n3v4n5) March 30, 2020
In other Leeds United news, fans have been up in arms after reports claimed the club could target a £25,000-per-week “liability” this summer.