Gary McAllister - Fans memories of a Leeds United midfield general

Gary McAllister was recruited after Vinnie Jones’ departure and proved to be the final piece in the midfield jigsaw for manager Howard Wilkinson.

He will go down as one member of the finest quartets the Whites have ever had, along with captain Gordon Strachan, David Batty and the late Gary Speed.

That foursome were highly influential in the title-winning season of 1991-92 and McAllister alone contributed with significant goals away at West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur as Leeds pipped Manchester United to the First Division title.

McAllister continued to improve after that, eventually becoming club captain for two seasons before his eventual departure to Coventry City.

Before that, it would be fair to say he was carrying the team in Wilkinson’s later years.

He played 294 games in total for the Whites across six season scoring 45 goals.

Your YEP asked to share memories of a player who returned to manage the club in 2008 and led them to the play-off final against Doncaster Rovers at Wembley ,a game which ended in heartache.

Responses included:

Dennis Randall - "He was the playmaker in the best midfield four ever to play in the Premier League alongside Strachan, Batty and the late great Gary Speed."

Alfie Karch - "When he was playing for Leicester, our last home game in 1989/90 season and hit a screamer and nearly broke the goal post. He was signed not long after and the rest is history."

Matthew Knowles - "Scoring the opening goal in our 3-1 Christmas Eve win against Manchester United in 1995."

Jeremy Peter Thornburn - "What a penalty taker he was."

Matt Tully - "I remember realising how important he was when he missed a game against Southampton and we were awful."

Dean Bennett - "Loved McAllister. My favourite when he played. A workhorse."

Morten Smedsdal - A very skillfull player and great captain. Remember his great goal against Nottingham Forest - our first home game in our First Division title winning season."

Chris Sheldon - "Manager on the day my son was mascot at Port Vale. Drew 3-3 in March 2008. Signed my shirt. True legend for me."

Craig Teasdale - " 1989/90 he played for Leicester city at Elland Road and scored a screamer. I thought we could do with him at Elland Road and low and behold that summer he came to us. He played with a swagger, pinging passes all over and scoring great goals. He always had the best boots."

Dave Edwards - "Pure class."

Chris Green - "Top man."

Martin Hopewell - "Great player. Part of a brilliant midfield. If we had that today it would be Europe here we come! For those with short memories before 1989 it was dire for years!"

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Laura Collins