Going back to Leeds United

We are entering the silly season when many names will be linked with Leeds United, regardless of which Division we are in come two weeks time. Inevitably these links will see some old favourites mentioned, and we can expect to see Alan Smith, David Healy, Ian Harte and Richard Cresswell join Robbie Blake as being touted for an Elland Road return.

But how many players have been a success second time around at Leeds?

Way back when John Charles made a high profile return to Elland Road from his time at Juve and the Leeds board paid him handsomely which ultimately meant a dramatic rise in ticket prices. Big John did not rediscover his form, the team played poorly in front of sparce crowds at ER and the board lost patience selling the great man back to Italy, this time to Roma. A MISS!

So who else returned to Leeds and how did they do?

John Lukic left Leeds one season after relegation in 1983 and enjoyed great times at Arsenal winning two league medals. His return to Leeds in 1990 was initially very successful winning another league medal in 1992 with the Whites. But a dramatic loss of form - which started in the Rangers game in Scotland in the old European Cup - saw Lukic become largely unreliable behind Wilko's preferred choice of ageing centre-backs. A HIT (then MISS!)

David Batty was another local boy who was allowed to go only to make a dramatic return. Injury on his second debut was a major blow but he came back to form an excellent pairing with Olly Dacourt as David O'Leary's team took on Europe's best. Some would say Batts played his best games for Leeds under DOL but it all turned sour. A rumoured bust-up on the training ground (when Batts allegedly decked Kewell - wish I'd seen that!) saw him dropped. He was also completely frozen out under incoming Manager Venables who had signed Aussie legend Paul Okon instead! Brief appearances under Peter Reid but Batts left after being shown the door by Eddie Gray under mysterious circumstances with rumours he lead a players revolt when asked to defer wages. A HIT (then MISS!)

Of the others, Brian Deane had an indifferent first spell at Leeds and returned under Kevin Blackwell straight after relegation from the PL. He joined the exclusive club of scoring four in a game when he put QPR to the sword but hardly set houses ablaze with his performances. A MISS.

Scott Sellars was sold by Billy Bremner for a paltry £25k in 1986 and returned in 1992 for £700k under Wilko. He had some good games, particularly against Stuttgart in the 4-1 battering, but Wilko rarely used him and he went on to the Toon where he became a bit of a legend. A MISS.

David Harvey and Peter Lorimer were both deemed finished when Eddie Gray surprisingly recalled the two veterans in 1983 to lead his excellent young team. Neither were expected to do well but managed to put in some good performances in a team that nearly gained promotion on two occassions. A HIT & a HIT (although expectations were low, it should be noted)!

Lee Chapman is a Leeds legend and he came back to Leeds on loan in 1995 but was sent-off against West Ham and his other game was a 5-0 battering at Liverpool. A MISS!

So the omens do not look good for players coming back to Leeds so maybe we should leave these guys in the past and move on?

Of course, if reality ever permitted it would be great to see Paul Robinson, James Milner and Aaron Lennon in Leeds colours again before they are past it and I always dreamt of an emotional return for Jon Woodgate. But the chances of these happening are all unlikely, especially with Bates at the helm.

It is a time for new heroes and new legends to form. Maybe the past should stay just there?