Leeds Legends: Gordon Strachan

[Jimbo (Moderator)]

I thought it would be nice to create some threads for legends of Leeds United. Providing some background to the player and include images and video, so people can remember or learn about great players from the past. It would be great for people to share their memories and thoughts about each player, either as a Leeds fan or as an opponent.

GORDON DAVID STRACHAN

Gordon David Strachan OBE (born 9 February 1957) was born in Edinburgh. Strachan began his career with Dundee, making his debut in the 1974-75 season and becoming a regular player the 1975-76 season, soon becoming captain of the side.

A right-sided midfielder, Strachan made his senior debut in 1974 with Dundee before moving on within Scotland, to spend seven seasons at Aberdeen. He first played for the Scotland national team in 1980. While at Aberdeen Strachan won multiple domestic league and cup honours in the early 1980s, as well as the 1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup and 1983 European Super Cup. Moving to England, Strachan won the 1985 FA Cup Final in five seasons with Manchester United, before spending the next seven seasons as club captain at Leeds, winning the 1991–92 First Division league title. He played his last game for Scotland in 1992 while still at Leeds, and then moved to Coventry in 1995 for a final three seasons, as a player-coach.

Strachan came to prominence at the age of 20 when he was signed by Aberdeen on 1 November 1977 for a fee of £50,000. With the famous Aberdeen team of the 1980s, managed by Alex Ferguson and one of the few sides to break the traditional dominance of the Old Firm in Scottish football, he won two Scottish League titles, three Scottish Cups, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the European Super Cup.

In August 1984, Manchester United spent £500,000 to take him to Old Trafford in August. Strachan had previously signed for Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln, and United paid £75,000 compensation to resolve the row.

He contributed to the Red Devils' FA Cup victory over Everton in 1985, but gradually began to suffer a loss in form and eventually lost his place as a regular first team player. Aberdeen manager Alex Ferguson followed him to Old Trafford in November 1986 following the dismissal of Ron Atkinson.

Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson came to the rescue in March 1989, when he paid £200,000 for Strachan's services. The transfer fee soon paid dividends as Strachan's form resulted in helping Leeds to winning the Second Division title in 1990 and gaining promotion to the First Division after an eight-year exile. The following season he helped Leeds finish fourth in the First Division and Strachan was voted Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. A year later, he was a part of the team's strength in Leeds overtaking Manchester United to win the 1991–92 League Championship title in the last ever season of the old Football League before the creation of the FA Premier League. Strachan continued to be an active first-team player as Leeds enjoyed mixed fortunes during their first three seasons of the Premier League, although he was sometimes kept out of the side by back problems.

Strachan remained at Leeds United until March 1995, when he moved to Coventry City to work as player-coach under new manager Ron Atkinson.

Strachan made 197 appearances for Leeds, scoring 37 goals. He is still held in high regard amongst Leeds fans, many tipping him to one day come back as manager.

[AlgheroJambo]

This is a hard one for me because as much of a legend that Stachan is at Leeds, he also managed Celtic and supports Hibs

Being a Hearts fan that's about the worst person you could be as I absolutely detest Celtic and well I just pity Hibs because they are such a shitty wee club.

He actually grew up 10min along the road form where I was brought up.

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Ps enjoying the legend threads

[Jimbo (Moderator)]

He's also ex-Man Utd, but all that is irrelevant because of what he did at Leeds!

[DerekRiordinho]

Reporter: Gordon, can we have a quick word?

Strachan: Velocity

[Jimbo (Moderator)]

A few more for you:

Reporter: Welcome to Southampton Football Club. Do you think you are the right man to turn things around?
Strachan: No. I was asked if I thought I was the right man for the job and I said, "No, I think they should have got George Graham because I'm useless."

Reporter: Is that your best start to a season?
Strachan: Well I've still got a job so it's far better than the Coventry one, that's for sure.

Reporter: Are you getting where you want to be with this team?
Strachan: We're not doing bad. What do you expect us to be like? We were eighth in the league last year, in the cup final and we got into Europe. I don't know where you expect me to get to. Do you expect us to win the Champions League?

Reporter: Gordon, you must be delighted with that result?
Strachan: You're spot on! You can read me like a book.

Strachan: I've got more important things to think about. I've got a yogurt to finish by today, the expiry date is today. That can be my priority rather than Agustin Delgado.

Reporter: This might sound like a daft question, but you'll be happy to get your first win under your belt, won't you?
Strachan: You're right. It is a daft question. I'm not even going to bother answering that one. It is a daft question, you're spot on there.

Reporter: Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it?
Strachan: No, I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home, become an alcoholic and maybe jump of a bridge. Umm, I think I can take it, yeah.

Reporter: There's no negative vibes or negative feelings here?
Strachan: Apart from yourself, we're all quite positive round here. I'm going to whack you over the head with a big stick, down negative man, down.

Reporter: Where will Marion Pahars fit into the team line-up?
Strachan: Not telling you! It's a secret.

Reporter: You don't take losing lightly, do you Gordon?
Strachan: I don't take stupid comments lightly either.

Reporter: So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were better than you today?
Strachan: What areas? Mainly that big green one out there...

Strachan was on Sky on Sunday morning. He saw John Terry's goal and said he was impressed that Terry goes up expecting to score. He contrasted this to Claus Lundekvam the Saints central defender who goes up for every dead ball and never ever looks remotely like scoring. He said if there was a dead body lying in the penalty area the ball would hit it on the head several times a season which he said is more than Lundekvam can manage. He said referees should book Lundekvam for timewasting every time he goes up for a corner. When the co-commentator said if Lundekvam was watching Strachan was only joking. Strachan assured him he was deadly serious.