Rod Wallace - Fans memories of a Leeds United hotshot

He was the Leeds United striker whose darting runs could slice open any defence.
Rod Wallace celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in April 1994. PIC: Varley Picture AgencyRod Wallace celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in April 1994. PIC: Varley Picture Agency
Rod Wallace celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in April 1994. PIC: Varley Picture Agency

Rod Wallace knew how to find a route to goal helping Leeds United win the First Division title and a Charity Shield within two seasons of joining the club.

Read More
Lee Chapman - 9 memories of a Leeds United goal machine

He will be remembered by the Elland Road faithful for his sharpshooting and some memorable goals during his seven seasons with the Whites.

Rod Wallace fires home against Tottenham Hotspur in April 1994.Rod Wallace fires home against Tottenham Hotspur in April 1994.
Rod Wallace fires home against Tottenham Hotspur in April 1994.
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His wonder goal following a mazy dribble against Tottenham Hotspur in April 1994 won him the Goal of the Season competition. For a generation of fans that strike ranks as one of the greatest solo goals ever seen at Elland Road.

His 65 goals for the Whites also included a hat-trick against Coventry City at Highfield Road on the final day of the 1992/93 season.

Your YEP has asked the Elland Road faithful to share memories of Hot Rod, a striker voted the 45th best ever Leeds United player in an official poll.

Responses included:

Gary Wood - "Rod Wallace was electrifying. The outstanding goal verses Spurs obviously takes the headlines (I was stood in the kop 8 rows up behind the goal...witnessing that as the ball was heading towards me as it struck the top corner). The absolute shock at what you had just seen. Rod is a Leeds United legend. 100 per cent."

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Taff Tataat - "That goal of the season v Spurs. I was thrown out of the Working Men's Club for celebrating too loudly and spilling my pint on the snooker table - ruining the green baize."

Kenneth Martin Jackson - "My all-time favourite player."

Ian Radford - "The goal against Spurs. Absolutely brilliant."

Nick Rosefield - "Turning up five minutes after kick off at Goodison for a Rumbelows Cup tie, and we were 2-0 up already, thanks to Rod."

Niall De Búrca - "The goal against Spurs. My favourite Leeds goal."

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Shay Cunningham - "That goal against Norwich when the title was already wrapped up. It would have been GOTS if the game wasn’t a dead rubber."

Robert Tuffley - "Wednesday getting hammered at home. Wallace run Roland Nielsen, Sweden international right back, to shreds. At the time he was considered the best in the division."

David Williams - "Flying volleyed goal he scored as a last minute equaliser at ER against Everton! 1-1. I was there, brilliant goal, you can imagine the atmosphere!"

Martin Carrigan - "Smashing one in at Blackburn in a 4-3 win."

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Matt Carr - "Against Spurs at White Hart Lane. I’ve have never seen a human run as fast over 20 years as Rodders. Still makes me shake my head in disbelief."

Sue Millward - "Loved watching him play."

Derek Hobbs - "Rod was the man, great partnership with Chapman. Some good goals against Spurs."

James Amos - "Fastest player in the division I thought . His link up play with Hasselbaink was brilliant as well as Chappy . Brilliant solo goal dribbling round half a team to bend in a pearler."

Simon Marsh - "Remember going to Upton Park midweek. Boring game until Rod popped up with a late winner. And knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup at Highbury."

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Dave Gladwin - "The last game of the title winning season against Norwich, I had £30 on Rodders to score the first goal, it was a bet to win my season ticket the following season. But it wasn't just that. It was the fact that if Man U had not lost to Liverpool the week before that goal would have been the one to win the title and it was some goal. Rod was robbed of a life defining moment but he stays in the heart for always nevertheless."

Darren Vaines - "Where do you start? One of our best!"

Gary Harvey - "Loved watching him play. Him and Chapman. A formidable pairing."

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