On Sunday afternoon May 2nd 2005, 38,000 Leeds United fans paid tribute to quite possibly the nicest man ever to have worn the famous Leeds jersey – Lucas Valeriu Radebe. It was a testimonial game given to him in recognition for tremendous service given to the club between 1994 and 2005.

His arrival at Leeds had been quite dramatic. He arrived with another South African, forward Philemon Masinga, but the reasons for him moving to England weren’t made clear at the time. Lucas, nicknamed ‘The Chief’ by the adoring Leeds fans was born in Diepkloof, Soweto near Johannesburg only two weeks before Leeds United won their first ever League Championship in April 1969. But to keep him away from the violence of Soweto, his parents moved him to Bophuthatswana when he was 15. But it was in this very neighbourhood that Lucas was shot in 1991. He was walking with his brother when they heard a gunshot and Lucas quickly realised that he had been shot in the back and the bullet had passed out through his thigh. He was rushed to hospital, but although he lost a considerable amount of blood, he was told the injury was not life threatening and he would be able to continue to play football after a short rest. At the time, he was playing for Kaiser Chiefs and although nobody was ever arrested and charged with the shooting, Lucas was convinced that someone had been hired to shoot him to prevent him from moving to another club. There had been talk at the time of him leaving the Chiefs and such ‘punishment’ was not uncommon in the present climate of the country. 3 years later Leeds’ manager Howard Wilkinson enquired about signing Radebe and he took no persuading to leave the country and join Leeds United. The Chief went on to become one of the most popular and greatest of Leeds defenders.

The weekend of the testimonial match, I was all over the place.

I miss out on quite a few family events because of Leeds United, some, I have to admit, are a blessing in disguise. But on this particular weekend, we’d booked a villa at Center Parcs, Nottingham with six other family members, Lesley’s Mam, sister and husband and so on… Lesley and I had just announced that, after being together since 1978, we were to get married at Elland Road the following June. So on the Friday night we had a little celebration at one of the restaurants on the complex. Early next morning, I climbed into my Jeep and drove to Leicester for the match returning to Center Parcs that evening. The following day was spent drinking and splashing about in the many swimming pools. Then, early next morning, I headed back up to Leeds for The Chiefs big game at Elland Road on the Bank Holiday Monday.

Countless Leeds fans could be seen all the way up the A1 and one particular young lad, about 15 years old, was hanging out of the back window of the car, stripped down to the waist doing the ‘Leeds Salute’ at every car they passed.

It was a gloriously sunny day as thousands descended on Elland Road to watch the game – A Leeds X1 against a World X1.

The Leeds X1 consisted of stars such as Vinnie Jones, Gordon Strachan and Gary Speed. The Chief played for both sides, scoring twice for the World X1. Leeds got the opening goal, scored by Aaron Lennon, beating Bruce Grobelaar in goal. The World X1 equalised and then went in front before the Chief stepped up to make it 3-1 to the World X1. Leeds Ladies star, Lucy Ward pulled one back for Leeds but the World X1 went 6-2 up with goals from Ally McCoist and Gunnar Halle. Kilgallon pulled one back for Leeds before The Chief brought down the curtain 2 minutes from the end to make it 7-3 to the World X1.

The World X1 managed by Sam Allardyce included Nigerian captain Jay Jay Okocha, Radebes South African national team mate Doctor Khumalo and Peru’s Nolberto Solano.

Other stars who turned out on the day included, Phil Masinga, David Batty, Gary McAllister, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gary Kelly, Oliveir Dacourt, Nigel Martyn, Paul Robinson, Neil Sullivan, Clyde Wijnhard, David Wetherall, Chris Kamara, Eirik Bakke and Tony Yeboah.

Howard Wilkinson took charge of the Leeds X1 and said afterwards,

“Lucas is a model professional on the pitch, on the training pitch and off the pitch. He has been generous with his time both outside and inside of football. It was always done with a good heart and never seemed to be a burden to him. That is the mark of the man he is.”

All the takings from the game went to various charities that Radebe supports.

It is worth noting also that during his time at Leeds he turned down several moves away from Leeds, including manchester united and AC Milan, claiming he had too much of ‘an emotional bond with Leeds and the fans’ to leave.

He played 70 times for his country and is said to be a very good friend of Nelson Mandela’s. On a visit to Leeds, Mandela once said of Radebe, who was stood next to him, “This is my hero”.

One memory I have of The Chief off of the pitch was in Dublin airport coming back from a pre-season tour. I wondered into a shop and came across the Chief looking at some CD’s. His smile was huge and so infectious and we got chatting and then I got him to sign my match ticket from Shelbourne, I then shook his hand and left. Seconds later he was besieged by dozens of youngsters wanting his autograph. I looked back through the shop window and his smile never waned – not for a second.

My favourite memory of him on the pitch was of him scoring a vital goal against Partizan Belgrade at Heerenveen in the UEFA Cup. He scored it while he was on his arse. He also scored a last minute decider against Spartak Moscow in the same competition.

Lucas has a beer named after him – Radabeer – and I’d like you to join me in a toast to The Chief.