Hand-picked for greatness
Trevor Cherry Footballer BORN FEBRUARY 23, 1948 – DIED APRIL 29, 2020, AGED 72
HUDDERSFIELD-born defender Trevor Cherry was never lured by the glamour of London clubs, preferring to remain in Yorkshire for his entire playing career.
He began his 20-year career at Huddersfield Town before moving to Leeds United and then Bradford City.
He was capped 27 times by England, captaining his country once in a 2-1 victory against Australia.
While at Bradford, he helped them clinch the Third Division title in 1985 with a victory over Bolton Wanderers.
He had joined the Valley Parade club three years earlier and was awarded the division’s Manager of the Season award.
But celebrations were cut short by the tragic fire at Bradford’s stadium five days later, which claimed the lives of 56 fans.
Cherry attended many of the funerals and visited injured supporters recovering in hospital.
It was also his last game as a player, although he continued at Bradford as manager. He was sacked controversially by the Bradford board less than two years later.
Cherry made his debut for Huddersfield in 1965 and was a classy and versatile defender. He helped his side clinch the Second Division title in 1970 and was signed by Leeds after the Terriers were relegated in 1972. Cherry was bought to replace Jack Charlton and became an integral part of the side for a decade, as part of a formidable partnership with teammate Norman Hunter, who died last month.
Cherry’s greatest moment with Leeds came in 1975. Tasked with shackling the great Johan Cruyff in the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona, he helped his side to become the first English team to reach the final in seven years.
He was promoted to captain in 1976 after Billy Bremner left the club.
The following year, while playing for England, he was sent off against Argentina, making him the first Three Lions player to be red-carded in an international friendly.
Cherry later became a businessman, running successful ventures in hospitality and the waste paper industry. He is survived by wife Sue, two sons Darren and Ian, a daughter Danielle and five grandchildren.