Paul Madeley - Leeds United's 'Rolls Royce'

“You fill in the details, I just want to play for Leeds” - Paul Madeley to Jimmy Armfield when discussing his new contract.

He once actually signed a new contract on what was virtually a blank piece of paper. I called him in to discuss terms and opened discussions by saying, ‘OK, Paul, we’ll give you so much’. He replied that he had no intention of leaving Leeds so he might as well sign the contract and let me fill in the details. I said, ‘What do you want, then, two years or three years?’ He answered, ‘Either way, I’ll leave it to you. I just want to play for Leeds,’ and that was that”.

You don't get that kind of loyalty in football these days and you also don't get a career like Paul Madeley's. Madeley gave eighteen years of service to his home club, with that making 712 starts for Leeds United during the sixties and seventies. Madeley played every position except goalkeeper for Leeds this led to his nickname the 'Rolls Royce', with his reading of the game, calmness and positional sense he was any managers dream and he would have easily made the transition between the modern game and his own era.

Madeley who was Leeds to the core won all Domestic honours and had success in Europe, he's a player who is never spoken about nor Is Don Revie and the great Leeds side which is a joke, they have never gotten the credit they deserve. 

People always call past players Legends but some don't really deserve that tag, Madeley is definitely worthy. Sadly Paul hasn't had the best of luck with health problems in recent years and is currently battling with Parkinson's Disease. But one thing we all know is that he has established himself as one of the Leeds greats and will always be remembered. 

MOT