Leeds legends Hunter, Reaney, Jones, Yorath and Hendrie axed in Cellino cost-cutting drive

Norman Hunter waves to Leeds fans. Below - Leeds United celebrate winning the FA Cup in 1972. From left: Mick Bates, Paul Madeley, Eddie Gray, Paul Reaney, Johnny Giles, Jack Charlton, Allan Clarke, Billy Bremner, Peter Lorimer, Norman Hunter, David Harvey.

Paul Reaney, Norman Hunter, Mick Jones, Terry Yorath and John Hendrie will no longer be employed by Leeds next season.

The group have worked for several years in United’s corporate suites but their jobs are being culled as part of a wide-reaching cost-cutting process.

United owner Massimo Cellino implemented a formal redundancy scheme at Elland Road last month in an attempt to reduce losses of more than £1m a month.

Leeds United celebrate winning the FA Cup in 1972. From left: Mick Bates, Paul Madeley, Eddie Gray, Paul Reaney, Johnny Giles, Jack Charlton, Allan Clarke, Billy Bremner, Peter Lorimer, Norman Hunter, David Harvey.

The club are understood to have offered the ex-players the chance to stay on without pay next season, replacing wages with matchday hospitality for the five men and a guest for each home game.

Reaney, the former Leeds right-back and a member of Don Revie’s legendary squad, said the group would be leaving their positions but said: “No matter what’s happened, we’ll always support Leeds United.

“We’re not going to forget about or abandon a club who we played for and won trophies for. I wish the club all the best for next season.”

Leeds recently removed another high-profile ex-player from their payroll by ending Dominic Matteo’s spell as a club ambassador.

Eddie Gray is expected to remain in a similar position next season but Peter Lorimer - the third of three ambassadors at Elland Road - has yet to learn if he will be kept on.

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