Post by Mr Leeds United on May 2, 2005 12:21:11 GMT -5
From BBC Sport
Over 37,000 Leeds United fans paid tribute to South African defender Lucas Radebe at a testimonial in his honour at their Elland Road ground on Monday.
The massive crowd was treated to a ten-goal extravaganza between a select Leeds XI, including former South Africa and club team-mate Phil Masinga, Gordon Strachan, Vinnie Jones and Gary Speed, as well as a World XI.
Radebe himself played for both sides during the match and got on the scoresheet twice for the World XI.
Leeds' Aaron Lennon scored the opening goal of the game in the 33rd minute as he beat Bruce Grobelaar, the former Liverpool and Zimbabwe goalkeeper.
Besiktas's John Carew, whose father is Gambian, made it 1-1 for the World XI before his team-mate on the day, Birmingham's Mario Melchiot, also found the net.
Radebe himself then stepped up and scored from the penalty spot for the World XI.
Leeds Ladies star Lucy Ward pulled one back for the Leeds XI before two goals from former Scotland international Ally McCoist and one from Norwegian Gunnar Halle made it 6-2 to the World XI.
Lucas is a model professional on the pitch, on the training pitch and off the pitch
Former Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson
After Matthew Killgallon made it 6-3 for the Leeds XI, the final word fittingly went to the man of the hour as Radebe grabbed his second of the game with just two minutes remaining to make the final score 7-3 to the World XI.
The World XI, managed by Bolton's Sam Allardyce, also included Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha, Radebe's former South Africa team-mate Doctor Khumalo and Peruvian forward Nolberto Solano.
The former Bafana Bafana captain has been at Leeds for a decade but a spate of injuries has hampered his career over the last three seasons and he is expected to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
But Radebe's dedication to the club's cause, in the midst of problems that saw the team relegated from the English Premiership, has not gone unnoticed.
Former Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson, who managed Leeds XI in conjunction with incumbent Kevin Blackwell, was full of praise for the central defender.
"Lucas is a model professional on the pitch, on the training pitch and off the pitch," Wilkinson began.
"He has always been generous with his time outside football and inside.
"It was always done with a good heart and never seemed to be a burden to him.
"That is the mark of the man he is."
All the gate takings from Monday's match are going to charities that Radebe supports.
Other former players who turned out in support of the South African were former Leeds players David Batty, Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister, Vinnie Jones, Gary Speed and Ghana's Tony Yeboah.
Great Tribute to a Great Legend Happy Retirement Cheif
Over 37,000 Leeds United fans paid tribute to South African defender Lucas Radebe at a testimonial in his honour at their Elland Road ground on Monday.
The massive crowd was treated to a ten-goal extravaganza between a select Leeds XI, including former South Africa and club team-mate Phil Masinga, Gordon Strachan, Vinnie Jones and Gary Speed, as well as a World XI.
Radebe himself played for both sides during the match and got on the scoresheet twice for the World XI.
Leeds' Aaron Lennon scored the opening goal of the game in the 33rd minute as he beat Bruce Grobelaar, the former Liverpool and Zimbabwe goalkeeper.
Besiktas's John Carew, whose father is Gambian, made it 1-1 for the World XI before his team-mate on the day, Birmingham's Mario Melchiot, also found the net.
Radebe himself then stepped up and scored from the penalty spot for the World XI.
Leeds Ladies star Lucy Ward pulled one back for the Leeds XI before two goals from former Scotland international Ally McCoist and one from Norwegian Gunnar Halle made it 6-2 to the World XI.
Lucas is a model professional on the pitch, on the training pitch and off the pitch
Former Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson
After Matthew Killgallon made it 6-3 for the Leeds XI, the final word fittingly went to the man of the hour as Radebe grabbed his second of the game with just two minutes remaining to make the final score 7-3 to the World XI.
The World XI, managed by Bolton's Sam Allardyce, also included Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha, Radebe's former South Africa team-mate Doctor Khumalo and Peruvian forward Nolberto Solano.
The former Bafana Bafana captain has been at Leeds for a decade but a spate of injuries has hampered his career over the last three seasons and he is expected to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
But Radebe's dedication to the club's cause, in the midst of problems that saw the team relegated from the English Premiership, has not gone unnoticed.
Former Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson, who managed Leeds XI in conjunction with incumbent Kevin Blackwell, was full of praise for the central defender.
"Lucas is a model professional on the pitch, on the training pitch and off the pitch," Wilkinson began.
"He has always been generous with his time outside football and inside.
"It was always done with a good heart and never seemed to be a burden to him.
"That is the mark of the man he is."
All the gate takings from Monday's match are going to charities that Radebe supports.
Other former players who turned out in support of the South African were former Leeds players David Batty, Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister, Vinnie Jones, Gary Speed and Ghana's Tony Yeboah.
Great Tribute to a Great Legend Happy Retirement Cheif
pity yeboah didnt score one of his usual screamers . he runs his own hotel now ...............................................................Lucas -pure legend