10 Greatest Leeds United Defenders Ever
6. Paul Madeley
During his career with Leeds, Madeley played in a variety of different playing positions, making him a Utility player. In his 724 first-team appearances, spread over an incredible 17-year span at Leeds, he scored 34 goals, playing in every position except as goalkeeper.
Madeley made his Leeds debut in 1964 and spent his entire career through to 1980 with the West Yorkshire side, winning two First Division titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup under the manager Don Revie. He also played 24 times for England during the 1970s.
5. John Charles
John Charles is probably the best player on this list. The only reason that he is not on top is because he also played as a centre-forward, another position in which he excelled. He started as a centre-back but was converted to centre-forward due to the rise of a young Jack Charlton in the early 1950s.
As a centre half, no one could beat him in the air, his hulking presence, aerial ability, aggressive running and nose for the ball made him a great defender in his early years with the club.
4. Terry Cooper
Terry Cooper was an attacking-minded defender. He was particularly effective in partnership with winger Eddie Gray, whom he would join in attacking forays. With his iconic white boots, we would dominate down the left-hand side with some blistering runs and he’s the man that some attribute the more modern-day attacking wing-back to.
His forward raids were a key part of Revie’s Leeds’ attacking arsenal and set a trend that future full-backs would follow. With Leeds, he won the First Division championship in 1968-69, the League Cup in 1968, and the Fairs Cup in Europe – twice – in 1968 and 1971.