Radebe lifts the lid on spectacular demise of his beloved Leeds United

LUCAS RADEBE realised the Leeds United dream was over the day demoralised players were left divided over money issues.

The Whites legend knew his beloved club were heading for disaster when the dressing room was torn apart during the harsh winter of 2003-04.

With cash-strapped Leeds already embroiled in administration, the side that had graced a Champions League semi-final less than three years before, was careering out of control and drastic measures needed to be put in place.

United would go on to be relegated from the Premiership at the end of that season and, heartbreakingly for the South African defender who epitomised everything good about the club, are still battling to make their way back now.

Radebe, whose authorised biography Lucas: From The Streets of Soweto To Soccer Superstar is launched on September 25, recalls the turmoil which had enveloped Elland Road and points to the day when players were asked to defer their wages as the day the club spirit finally shattered.

"We were always playing while not fully mentally fit," he told the Yorkshire Post. "Every day the players were wondering and not knowing what was going on.

"Sometimes we wouldn't be told anything at all and we were just reading things in the newspapers. It was really disappointing; morale was down, the spirit was down and it was severe.

"When we had to defer our wages there was a split in the team."

Radebe, who retired the following year after finally succumbing to a series of injuries, added: "We had to sit down together. Some players said 'yes', others said 'no' and it was a depressing time.

"We had all these big names in the dressing room but if you don't have that spirit, that common denominator, it can't work.

"It used to be so jolly, so fun but that was the worst point."

United's pressured squad did eventually agree to defer those wages in a bid to stave off financial disaster but the wheels were already turning and for someone like Radebe – famed for his dazzling smile and positive nature – to be left so downhearted shows what a nadir they had hit.

However, having escaped League One and won promotion to the Championship earlier this year, 'The Chief' as he was affectionately known, is hopeful the club he captained with such honour during his 11-year stay, can go on and make the final step on their planned return.

"I'm very proud to see Leeds coming back now," added Radebe, who signed from Kaizer Chiefs in 1994 and quickly formed an unbreakable bond with Leeds supporters.

"There have been a lot of question marks about what has happened to Leeds, it was a very sad thing to see this great club struggle as it did.

"I will never forget. I will always be part of Leeds United. Seeing them coming up like they are now has given me courage and hope.

"One day, possibly in the next few years, we'll be back in the Premiership where we belong and things will be different."

Although now living back in South Africa, he remains close to many of his former colleagues from his adopted home.

Radebe, 41, said: "I'm in touch with Kells (Gary Kelly) and Dominic Matteo, who comes and visits now and again, and I speak to Alan Sutton the physio once every couple of weeks.

"I see the chairman (Ken Bates) when he's down in Cape Town as well. I do miss it all – the camaraderie, the spirit, the togetherness that you have and all the laughter but also the fans and the sight of that green grass. I do miss that. It's something that sticks with me."

A major topic in the book is Radebe's relationship with David O'Leary, the Leeds manager who guided the club to two European semi-finals but who is also criticised by some fans for his role in the club's swift demise.

The Irishman casually stripped Radebe of the captaincy in front of heir apparent Rio Ferdinand with little explanation and later attempted to persuade the South African into taking early retirement because of his on-going injury issues.

Both incidents caused friction between the two.

"When he inherited the team from George Graham he was so passionate, not only about the team and the players but everyone," explained Radebe. "He was singing everyone's praises but then towards the end when things went bad he changed. At times I didn't understand what he was trying to do.

"My heart was at the club and I remember when he advised me to retire. I didn't want to do that and said it wasn't my time.

"We fell out and didn't speak for ages. It was horrible but I still wanted to play for Leeds, the club that had given me the opportunity and I wanted to say thank you to the people who supported me.

"He (O'Leary) is a good man but I think the game has changed him to be a different person."

After O'Leary's exit, the ever-resilient Radebe did bounce back to play for United again and he admits he would like to one day return in a different capacity.

"I'd love to coach back at Leeds and give back some more knowledge to the club that gave me the opportunity to play in the Premiership and a club I know so well," he said. "I've spoken to Ken Bates and I think it's up to me to speak to the manager to see if anything can be done.

"The time has to be right though considering my family and everything else. It's been a hectic few years."

Radebe, who lost his wife Feziwe to cancer in 2008, has overcome his own health issues to continue his active charity work and promote the World Cup which was staged in his homeland this summer.

A hero with the Bafana Bafana, their former captain has long been at loggerheads with the South African FA about their administration and lack of progress on the international scene.

He remains hopeful that hosting such a huge competition will leave a lasting legacy for South Africa but knows more work still has to be done.

"We've got the facilities, the stadia and the telecommunications," he said. "We've got everything going for us but the most important thing is our football has to improve.

"It needs a proper structure in place and a real system. They have got to learn from what the World Cup has done in terms of getting the people together but there has to be a strong presence at the highest level.

"If we can't change after a World Cup, I don't think we will ever change. There is a great opportunity there to make sure it develops from grassroots upwards."