Leeds United 92: It's all sweet memories for youngest star Jon Newcombe

AS the youngest member of Leeds United's title-winning squad to earn a medal, Jon Newsome admits it took several years to realise the magnitude of the achievement.
Jon Newsome, left, celebrates with Gary Speed, Gary McAllister and Eric Cantona with John Lukic behind.Jon Newsome, left, celebrates with Gary Speed, Gary McAllister and Eric Cantona with John Lukic behind.
Jon Newsome, left, celebrates with Gary Speed, Gary McAllister and Eric Cantona with John Lukic behind.

The Sheffield-born defender had moved to Elland Road the previous summer from Wednesday with just five league starts to his name.

Injury meant opportunities proved equally hard to come by at Leeds at first. Then, though, Mel Sterland suffered an ankle injury that left an opening at right-back that Newsome filled in impressive fashion.

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“It was my first year at Leeds,” recalls the 46-year-old. “I wasn’t fit at the start, but then I got in the squad for the last 10 games and played enough games to get a medal.

“I was 21 years old and you don’t realise at that age how special it is. You just get on with things and don’t give it a second thought. It was only years later when I realised the size of what we had done.

“Being part of that was special. Without playing a major role across the whole campaign, I did do my bit in the last few weeks.”

Newsome certainly did that, netting in a 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in March before scoring United’s second goal on the day the title was won at Sheffield United.

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“My memories are all happy ones of that time,” he said. “Especially that crazy day at Bramall Lane. Getting a goal on such a big day was great and made that bit sweeter by me being a Wednesday fan.

“Leeds fans do bring it up regularly when I meet them. It is great that people still remember something that happened 25 years ago. Leeds haven’t had too much success since then so maybe that is why people remember it so much. But they are definitely fond memories for me, a great time in my career.”