Jason Wilcox - The right Leeds United signing at the wrong time

He was Leeds United signing who made the right move at the wrong time.
Jason Wilcox celebrates scoring against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in December 2002.Jason Wilcox celebrates scoring against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in December 2002.
Jason Wilcox celebrates scoring against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in December 2002.

Jason Wilcox moved to the Whites for £4 million from Blackburn Rovers in December 1999 and made an instant impression by scoring on his full league debut against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light the following month.

He would go on to help Leeds reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and play a part in the club's run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

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But his game time proved sporadic with a younger rival - Harry Kewell - stepping through the academy at Thorp Arch.

Jason Wlcox celebrates scoring against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light in January 2000. PIC: GettyJason Wlcox celebrates scoring against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light in January 2000. PIC: Getty
Jason Wlcox celebrates scoring against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light in January 2000. PIC: Getty

“I loved my time at Leeds and I only wished that I’d been able to play more games," he told the YEP in 2014. "The problem for me was that they had a young side with players who were coming through the academy and they stuck by them very heavily. I had Harry Kewell in my position and Leeds made sure they protected his value. He was one of their biggest talents, really popular with the fans.”

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During his five years with the club Wilcox played 105 times, on occasions at left-back as Kewell tore up the flank in front of him.

Your YEP has asked the Elland Road faithful to share memories of a player able to demonstrate his vision and creative ability out wide when opportunities came and injuries subsided.

Responses included:

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Stephen Reynolds - "I was in the away end at Sunderland when he scored a belter at the Stadium of Light. I was right behind it."

Gordon Elliott Flash - "Best memory his goal at Stadium of Light along with Bridges to put us top of the league in January 2000. Euphoria."

Mike Weaver - "Extremely under-rated and worked so hard with a great cross. And that goal against Bolton!"

Sam Barker - "Sunderland away. Scored a cracker and Bridges got the winner."

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Stuart Connolly - "Scored in my first ever game at Elland Road. 3-0 win against Coventry in March 2000."

Dan Hill - "Loved watching him as a kid."

Anthony Maddaford - "Good squad player but the memory that sticks out is his screamer against Bolton."

Jason Stones - "Underrated player."

Ricky Brown - "Was an underrated squad player."

Peter Barber - "Great signing. Very dependable."

Matthew Lettin - "Cracking goal at Bolton."

Liam G Smith - " That strike against Bolton away. One of the best performances of a bad season that night. Absolutely frozen daft."

Gregory Campbell - "Smasher."

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