Leeds United Playing Squad for the relegation 2003-04 Season
The Chief
Lucas Radebe Defender - central
Squad Number: 1
International: South African full
Signed by Howard Wilkinson for just £250,000 in 1994 Lucas went on to captain both club and Bafan Bafana, the South African national side. Tremendously loyal, a footballing icon and ambassador in his own country, Lucas has been plagued with knee injuries over the last two seasons. Last season under Venables he played at the end with crippling pain in his knees to save the club from relegation due to an inexplicable shortage of England international-class central defenders (Rio and Woodgate- where are they now? Answers on a postcard to Pillock Ridsdale, c/o Barnsley FC). It was so bad that after games he couldn't train or even walk up the stairs at his home! After surgery in the summer the problem hasn't completely gone away but the courageous man will see through the season. Peter Reid has brought in Camara and Roque Junior to central defence, so, after his heroics of last season, hopefully "The Chief" can take it easier this season and make cameo substitute appearances and play in some cup games.
www.leedsutd365.co.uk verdict: great servant to the club, simply the best
