BIEER WE GO AGAIN Marcelo’s meticulous... just like Wilko
30 years after Leeds went up...
MEL STERLAND is backing Leeds United to finally reach the promised land – 30 years since he last helped them achieve that feat.
It was May 1990 when Howard Wilkinson’s side won 1-0 at Bournemouth on a riotous Bank Holiday weekend to clinch the Second Division title.
Leeds went on to finish fourth on their top-flight return and then pipped hated rivals Manchester United to the First Division title in 1992.
Legendary
Legendary right-back Sterland, nicknamed Zico, was a key figure in United’s success under ‘Sergeant Wilko’ (right, above) and has tipped them to go all the way under Marcelo Bielsa (right, below).
Sterland, 59, recalled: “The night before the Bournemouth game, I couldn’t sleep.
“The build-up was unbelievable because we knew that a win would see us realise our dreams.
“The day of the game was red hot. We got up and had breakfast and got on the coach to the ground.
“I thought we were at Elland Road because there were literally thousands of Leeds fans everywhere, with plenty of cans of beer.”
Lee Chapman headed home the winning goal in the second half from Chris Kamara’s right-wing cross.
Leeds fans, who had clashed with police on the beach the previous night, poured onto the pitch at the end to celebrate the promotion.
Sterland added: “It was just an amazing experience and we knew we had a good side.
“Wilko put together a team he knew he could trust – Vinnie Jones, Chris Kamara, Gordon
Strachan, young
David Batty and Gary Speed. Kammy created Chapman’s goal, but it was usually me doing that from the right flank… I made Chapman a millionaire and I’m still waiting for him to buy me a bottle of champagne!
“The scenes after we beat Bournemouth were absolutely mental with all the fans celebrating.
“And that memory will live with me forever. I think I was legless for about four or five days afterwards!”
Boss Wilko discarded several of his promotionwinning side in readiness for Leeds’ assault on the First Division.
Sterland, who played under Wilkinson at Sheffield Wednesday, said: “Howard brought in quality players such as Gary Mcallister, and that’s why he was successful.
“People talk about Marcelo Bielsa’s meticulous approach now, but Howard had it written into my contract that I would be fined £100 for every pound I went over 13st 2lb.
“One night after a big win at Elland Road, I went out and got absolutely p***ed, had a curry and then a Sunday lunch.
“On the Monday when I went to get weighed I was almost 13st 10lb. That weekend cost me £700!”
Promotion
Bielsa’s Leeds top the Championship and restart their promotion bid at Cardiff today.
Sterland, an Elland Road regular, declared: “I’d love to see Leeds back in the Premier League because they are a massive club with unbelievable fans.
“I look at players like Luke Ayling and Kalvin Phillips and they are ready for the next level.
“I love going to Leeds and the fans are brilliant with me. They all want to have their photos taken and chat about the old days.
“The potential of Leeds United is frightening and it will snowball once they are back in the Premier.”