CHAMPIONS JFH: Leeds rule in Yorkshire
FORMER Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insists his heart will always belong to Elland Road.
Hasselbaink, the Dutchman who became a cult hero for the Yorkshire club during two seasons wearing the famous white shirt, says he feels more love for Leeds than any of his old teams.
And that is why he is thrilled to see Marcelo Bielsa’s men seal a return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence from the top-flight.
Hasselbaink, 48, played for 10 clubs during his career – including Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Middesbrough, Charlton and Cardiff.
But he feels his strongest affinity for Leeds – despite his bitter departure from Elland Road in the summer of 1999.
Hasselbaink said: “Things really took off for me when I arrived at Leeds United. My style was appreciated and with the help of Leeds I got into the Dutch national team and I went to the World Cup in France.
“Leeds is the only club that really matters for everyone in Yorkshire.
“It is fascinating to see how much they love the club and how proud they are of their team.
“In London, you have so many professional football clubs. In Manchester, you have City and United. In Liverpool you have Liverpool and Everton.
“But Leeds only has Leeds United. When you are born in Leeds, you are Leeds till you die.”
Leeds face Derby today – the team that ended Bielsa’s promotion dream in the play-offs last season – celebrating promotion and the Championship title.
Hasselbaink, 48 (right) believes the club will grace the Premier League.
He said: “I always saw the passion for the club in the stands when I was playing.
“It is a special place and a special football ground. The atmosphere at Elland Road you find nowhere else in the Premier League.
“You don’t hear more noise anywhere else than at Leeds. I find it an intimidating stadium – and I know better than anyone – because I also played there when I was a striker with Chelsea.
“The ground always seems to burst with people, no matter what level the club was playing. I loved it that there were still 40,000 there.” Hasselbaink scored 34 goals in 69 games for Leeds after arriving in a £2million deal from Boavista.
And many fans still haven’t forgiven him for the way he departed to Atletico in the summer of 1999 – or his subsequent return to the Premier League 12 months later with Chelsea.
Hasselbaink insists it was never about the money.
He said: “It was all politics. I wanted to stay. But I did think that what they offered me was not right.
“And there was something else – I don’t think I fitted in the plans of David O’Leary. “George Graham, who had brought me to the club, had gone to Arsenal. “O’Leary was his successor and that did play a part.” He added: “I still go to Leeds a lot. I made some of my best friends in life there and whenever I visit I go with them to the match.
“The fans love me again. The atmosphere is great and everything between me, the club and the fans is brilliant.
“That was not the case when I left – but the fans didn’t know the real story. “I would love to play for Leeds United all over again. Absolutely!”