Saturday Interview: Emulating boyhood heroes would be perfect for Bromby

One of football's most notorious hard men, the former hod-carrier was never far from controversy during a career that brought 12 red cards and the dubious distinction of being booked just four seconds into a game.

Jones has since moved into acting but his reputation as the man who took violence off the terraces and on to the pitch remains.

With that in mind, Simon Grayson could be forgiven for breaking out into a cold sweat as Leigh Bromby reveals today to the Yorkshire Post that the former Wimbledon midfielder is one of his all-time heroes.

The Leeds United manager can, however, relax as the deeds he wants to emulate do not involve grabbing anyone by the privates or launching thigh-high assaults on an opponent.

Dewsbury-born Bromby, a season ticket holder at Elland Road as a boy, said: "I first watched Leeds the year before Howard Wilkinson became manager (in 1988) when players like David Batty and Gary Speed were at the club.

"Vinnie Jones signed soon after and all the players from that era became my heroes as a kid. It was a great time to support Leeds with the promotion season being the best of the lot.

"A lot of Leeds fans look back fondly on that time because the atmosphere was so good and I am no different. It would be great to emulate what that team achieved by winning promotion with Leeds this season.

"Twenty years on from the season we won promotion, those players have never been forgotten by the fans. There is even a piece in every home programme this season about it, while the club also recently brought out a DVD of all the goals.

"It would be brilliant if, in years to come, people were looking back and making videos about our promotion."

Asked if any particular memories of the 1989-90 Second Division title success stand out, the United defender added: "There were so many great games that it is difficult to pick out just one. Though if I had to, I would say the day Vinnie Jones scored and then jumped on to the fence behind the goal to celebrate with the fans.

"I thought he was going to jump over on to the terrace at one stage. Now I am playing for Leeds, I am hoping to score a goal and do exactly the same. I want to copy Vinnie!"

Bromby has already broken his scoring duck in a Leeds shirt with a stunning 25-yard effort as Stockport County were beaten 4-2 in the final game of 2009.

Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, the trip to Edgeley Park is one he remembers with mixed feelings as it also brought a fifth yellow card of the season.

The caution for a first-half foul on Carl Baker proved particularly costly as it incurred a one-match ban, forcing Bromby to sit out the trip to Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.

To a childhood Leeds fan who had been to Old Trafford several times to support his team, it was a cruel blow and one that he hopes to make up for today when United enjoy another glamour tie at Tottenham Hotspur.

Bromby said: "I was gutted to miss out – especially after having been there so many times as a kid to watch Leeds.

"It would have been extra special to play – and win – at Old Trafford.

"I went to the game and although it was frustrating, I was also delighted for the lads and the club. I know exactly what that win meant to all the fans.

"In many ways, going to Spurs is a similar situation to the one we faced before the Manchester United game. The pressure is off and, hopefully, we can cause another upset."

Before moving to Leeds in a 250,000 deal last August, Bromby had spent the majority of his career in Sheffield – playing for both Wednesday and United after being spotted as a youngster with part-timers Liversedge.

Understandably, he opted to keep relatively quiet about his Leeds affiliations in the Steel City due to the rivalry that exists between the clubs.

Now, however, Bromby has no need for such reticence as he looks to fulfil not only his own dreams but also those of his equally Leeds-mad father, David.

He said: "I think my Dad was even more excited than me when I signed for Leeds. I had trained here as a kid and also had a spell at Huddersfield Town but nothing happened with either and I went to Sheffield.

"Dad came to every game but he also kept his season ticket at Elland Road. Fortunately, Leeds were riding high in the Premier League, so most of their games were on Sunday and that meant he could watch both.

"If there was a clash, he would watch me and I always appreciated that but now the whole family can watch Leeds. My problem is never having enough tickets."

Today's trip to White Hart Lane is a reminder of more successful times for Leeds as a travelling army of 4,200 head for the capital. Following their third round heroics at Old Trafford, United's game has again been selected for live transmission by ITV and millions are expected to tune in at tea-time hoping for another shock.

As enjoyable as the return to the national spotlight is, though, there is also a widely-held belief in Leeds that Tuesday's League One trip to Swindon Town is by far the most important of the club's next two fixtures.

With Norwich City able to climb to the top of the division with victory at home to Brentford today and Charlton Athletic hosting Leyton Orient on Monday, United could well be one of three sides locked on 57 points by the time they travel to the County Ground.

Bromby said: "Losing at Exeter brought it home how badly we want to be going to places like Manchester United and Spurs on a regular basis and the only way to do that is by getting back on track at Swindon."