Past Players - Vinnie Jones

‘If you’re umming and aah-ing about coming to Elland Road you can f**k off.’ They were on this massive, positive thing. No jolly up: 110% or nothing. I thought ‘If you cut these f***rs in half they’re going to bleed Leeds United.’

Vinnie Jones signed for Leeds United in June of 1989 for a fee in the region of £650,000; people thought Wilko was mad for this signing because at that time Jones was not known for his footballing skills, only a ‘hard man’ and just simply a controversial figure.

He made his Leeds debut against Anderlecht in a pre-season friendly and it wasn’t a good one. Jones drew blood by striking an opposition player in the face, of course the Leeds fans loved this but Sgt Wilko wasn’t impressed.

After the pre-season incident Wilkinson let Jones know what he thought and after this you could say he was focused and realized what Wilkinson was trying to achieve at Leeds.

Vinnie’s league debut came in our home fixture with Middlesbrough, he was called from the bench late in the game and made a gladiator like run onto the pitch as Elland Road erupted. He contributed in the late own goal, which started our promotion charge.

Jones formed a great partnership in the middle of the park with the tireless David Batty, which ultimately lead to the club’s promotion. In that season he made a total of 50 appearances and 5 goals. Remember that volley against Hull? The celebration made it even better.

This was the only season Jones played for Leeds and has the occasion tattooed on his leg. Somewhat crudely, Wilkinson sold him to Sheffield United for a fee around £700,000 in 1990 and stated that Gary McAllister was the level of quality needed for the First Division. It was a bit of a shock but also made sense.

With a cartoon like image and the infamous ‘V’ cut he is one of the most beloved players in the clubs history, he understood what it meant to be Leeds and he was like one of us. They don’t make them like Vinnie anymore.