Leeds United is one of the most popular English clubs. The Yorkshire club has a proud respected history as one of the pillars of the game in England. The Peacocks have been fortunate to have had extremely talented footballers feature for them in their 102 years of existence. Today, we list out seven of the greatest players to have played for Leeds United.
1. Billy Bremner
The former Scottish international is regarded as one of the best if not the greatest Leeds United player. King Billy, as he was fondly called, captained the Whites during their most successful periods in history. Bremner made over 771 appearances for the Elland Road side from 1959-1977, scoring 115 goals to boot. The former Doncaster Rovers manager won 2 league titles, one FA Cup, and League Cup title for his beloved Leeds United. A statue in his honor is erected in front of the Peacocks home ground Elland Road.
2. Peter Lorimer
Another Scot is regarded as one of the best ever to feature for Leeds. Lorimer was an attacking midfielder who played at Elland Road for about 20 seasons in total. His first spell with the club was between 1962-1979 before returning in 1983 to play a further three seasons. Peter is the record highest goal scorer for the West Yorkshire side, having netted 238 times in 703 appearances. During his time at Leeds, he also won the league twice alongside a League Cup and an FA Cup triumph. Lorimer was voted the ninth greatest Leeds player of all time.
3. Jack Charlton
Mr. one-man club himself, Sir Jack Charlton is considered the greatest defender to feature for the Whites. Sir Charlton featured over 760 times across 21 seasons between 1952-1973 for Leeds United, scoring over 90 goals. Jack was also part of the golden years of Leeds winning a League and FA Cup title.
4. Nigel Martyn
The former England goalkeeper is considered by many Leeds to be the best shot-stopper ever to have featured for the Whites. His sharp reflexes, almost cat-like were essential in helping Leeds finish 3rd in the 1999-2000 English Premier League, qualifying for the lucrative UEFA Champions League the following season, where they got all the way to the Semi-finals. Nigel made 273 appearances over 6 seasons.
5. Eddie Gray
Eddie Grays is another Scotsman to round off our list of the greatest Leeds United players of all-time. Gray was a winger who appeared 577 times for the Peacocks from 1966-1983. He scored over 60 goals and won a handful of League and Cup titles at Elland Road.
6. John Charles
The versatile Welsh footballer played as a centre-forward or as a centre-back for Leeds United. John Charles was one of the best well-rounded footballers to have come out of Britain, and was an asset to Leeds United. John Charles is also one of the few football players that have never received a yellow card or red card.
7. Bobby Collins
Bobby Collins spent five years at Leeds United, from 1962 to 1967, playing 149 league matches. He was signed by manager Don Revie in 1962, and captained Leeds United to a potential League and FA Cup double in 1964. Leeds missed out on the League on goal average to Manchester United, and were defeated in the 1965 FA Cup Final to Liverpool.
