#15: Hail To The Chief!

#15: Hail To The Chief!

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Episode fifteen of The Square Ball arrived with two results to discuss — and a conversation with a Leeds United legend that dominated the second half of the programme.

White Watching covered the previous fortnight. A goalless draw at Doncaster Rovers on a Sky Sports Friday night was grinding but welcome, representing the kind of response the hosts had been asking for after Barnsley. Leeds then beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Elland Road, Bradley Johnson scoring on 83 minutes in a game that produced two red cards — Robert Snodgrass dismissed on 88 minutes, Sheffield United’s Danny Ward on 90+2. The referee came in for extended criticism. George McCartney had joined on a month’s loan from Sunderland to address the left-back situation temporarily; his performance at Elland Road was well received.

The centrepiece of the episode was a thirteen-minute interview with Lucas Radebe, conducted at Elland Road to coincide with the publication of an authorised biography. Dan Moylan and Michael Normanton had visited on the morning of the Sheffield United game, though the session was cut short by the publishers’ schedule. Radebe spoke about arriving in Leeds — wet, dark, and considerably less hospitable than the Soweto he had grown up in, including a spell in Holbeck. He described being introduced to Tetley Bitter in the Victoria pub alongside Philemon Masinga, sharing accommodation in conditions that seemed modest even by 1994 standards. He talked about his near-departure from the club during Howard Wilkinson’s tenure — frustrated at being deployed out of position and underused, he had packed his bags at one point before deciding to stay. An injury that prevented him fulfilling work permit criteria ultimately secured his future at Leeds. The full thirteen-minute interview was to appear in issue three of the Square Ball magazine.

Ben Alnwick, a goalkeeper on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, joined on a 28-day emergency loan with Kasper Schmeichel still sidelined. Mike Grella moved to Carlisle on loan. Ed Miliband was confirmed as a Leeds United supporter. Paul Gascoigne had taken charge at Garforth Town.