Leeds celebrities

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Tue 17 Apr, 2007 7:53 pm

Does anybody have any storys about Leeds celebrities? All Leeds united fans will remember Albert Johanneson. I think it's a terrible shame how his life ended. The 1st black player for Leeds who never really played to his full potential he turned to drink & faded into obscurity. Selling his Wembley medals for beer & been forgot by his old club he lay dead behind his front door for a week untill he was missed. He used to be seen frequenting the Three legs & the vine he was always a gentleman thanking you kindly dear sir if you bought him a pint.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Tue 17 Apr, 2007 7:59 pm

Leeds 1968

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 18 Apr, 2007 12:08 am

It was indeed a tragedy how Albert ended up, I'm priveleged to say that I saw him play (just once, I believe it was his last game for Leeds, v Burnley 1970).A minor point but he wasn't the first black player for Leeds- In the late 1950's another black South African called Gerry Francis played a few games.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 18 Apr, 2007 9:09 am

Madeley, O'Grady, Harvey,Sprake, Charlton,Hunter.Johansson, Belfitt, Jones,Hibbitt,Gray,Lorimer.Reaney,Cooper,Giles,Bremner,Greenhoff,Bates.

Loinerpete · Post by **Loinerpete** » Wed 18 Apr, 2007 3:34 pm

Albert was a great winger, we used to call him the black flash, ive seen him weave his way through many a defence in the 60`s..so sad to see how he ended up, i once saw him in the late 80`s in the templar pub, i said hello albert, his face lit up and we had a pint together, i remember thinking what a sad figure he was. I thanked him for all the times he had taken my mind off my freezing cold feet stood on a stool so i could see over the wall at elland road, it takes me back.......jumpers for goalposts!!!

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 19 Apr, 2007 9:49 am

Hope this works!Leeds team of 1961/62 with albert in the middle row. Gerry Francis is also on that row, next to Bremner

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 19 Apr, 2007 10:05 am

Wahey the system works!In the previous photo -note the ramshackle old Kop behind the players, demolished in 1968. Imagine getting that passed by Health and safety these days!Anyway here's another pic of Albert -signing for Leeds(1961 I believe).Behind him are Gerry Francis (I'm not sure what his exact role was but he was some sort of agent who set up the signing), Don Revie and Club Secretary Cyril Williamson.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Thu 19 Apr, 2007 10:11 am

It's great seeing old nostalgia stuff!

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 19 Apr, 2007 12:08 pm

Talking about looking over walls at Elland Road Loinerpete - apparently a steward caught some kids trying to climb over the wall at Elland Road last week. He shouted at them - " oy!! you two!! get back in!!"

Loinerpete · Post by **Loinerpete** » Thu 19 Apr, 2007 12:15 pm

sattire, i love it.....look closeley at the old kop, that hut at the back was the only tea bar!!!!