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Paul Madeley
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Paul Edward Madeley (20 September 1944 – 23 July 2018) was an English footballer, who played for Leeds United and the England national team.[2] During his career with Leeds, Madeley played in a variety of different playing positions which led to him being described as a Utility player.[3][4][5] Madeley made more than 500 appearances for Leeds in the Football League and appeared in 24 internationals for England between 1971 and 1977.
Key Information
Leeds United
[edit]Born in the Beeston area of Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire[6] Madeley signed for Leeds from non-league Farsley Celtic in May 1962[7] and made his debut for Leeds in January 1964,[8] following injuries to Freddie Goodwin and Jack Charlton, and became a regular in the team from 1966 onwards.
Madeley was arguably the most versatile of players – in his Leeds United career, he played in every position on the pitch except goalkeeper and wore every shirt from No. 2 to No. 11 (and occasionally No. 12) as a result. His natural ability to adapt to a different role on a frequent basis meant that he was often in the side chosen by manager Don Revie at the expense of a 'specialist' in that position, though the majority of the time there was a player either injured or suspended whom Madeley would replace – usually in defence.[9]
However, Madeley was utilised in attacking positions when Leeds won their first major honours under Don Revie; in the 1968 Football League Cup Final, Madeley wore the No. 9 shirt (striker) in the 1–0 win over Arsenal,[10] whilst in 1971 he scored the crucial away goal against Juventus which helped Leeds win the Fairs Cup – in the two legs he wore the No. 11 shirt (left wing/midfield).[11] His versatility led to the nickname "The Eleven Pauls", which was used in the 1972 FA Cup Final song Leeds United.[12]
Having deputised so well for Paul Reaney at club level, Madeley was asked by Alf Ramsey to take Reaney's place in the England squad for that summer's World Cup in Mexico, but Madeley politely refused, saying he wanted to rest and, as a stand-in, was unlikely to kick a ball.[12]
In the 1971–72 season, Madeley again found himself moving round the side as injuries and suspensions to his teammates, and in the end he never missed a League match, though for a third year in a row Leeds failed to clinch the title on the last day of the season. In April 1972, left back Terry Cooper suffered a broken leg, so Madeley switched to the No. 3 shirt for the season's end and the FA Cup final, which Leeds finally won with a 1–0 win over Arsenal.[13]
Revie signed Trevor Cherry as a replacement for Cooper in the summer of 1972, and Madeley moved across to the centre of defence for much of the next season as Jack Charlton's distinguished career at Leeds wound down.[14] He wore the No. 5 shirt as Leeds lost the FA Cup final to Sunderland, and the European Cup Winners Cup final a few days later in Salonika, which Leeds lost to A.C. Milan in controversial circumstances.[15]
Leeds won the League in 1974 – Madeley missing just three matches – and even after Revie's departure that summer to take over the England job, reached their first and only European Cup final a year later, with Madeley in the No. 5 shirt again.[16]
In his autobiography, Right Back to the Beginning, Revie's successor Jimmy Armfield related a telling story about Madeley negotiating a new contract: "He once actually signed a new contract on what was virtually a blank piece of paper. I called him in to discuss terms and opened discussions by saying, 'OK, Paul, we'll give you so much'. He replied that he had no intention of leaving Leeds so he might as well sign the contract and let me fill in the details. I said, 'What do you want, then, two years or three years?' He answered, 'Either way, I'll leave it to you. I just want to play for Leeds,' and that was that."[12]
Madeley was granted a testimonial season in 1977, and eventually retired from playing in 1980 with 724 appearances in all competitions to his name.[12][5][17]
International career
[edit]Madeley made his England debut in 1971 against Northern Ireland in Belfast in the 1970–71 British Home Championship at right-back;[18] a position he was to win the majority of his 24 caps in a six-year international career.[3] The then England manager Alf Ramsey had previously approached Madeley to replace injured Leeds teammate Paul Reaney at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, but Madeley politely declined, stating that he needed a rest and that as a stand-in he was unlikely to play a part.[5] Madeley later partnered Bobby Moore at centre-back as the latter won his 100th cap against Scotland in 1973.[19] His final cap came against the Netherlands in a friendly at Wembley in 1977.[3][18]
Post-playing career
[edit]After retiring Madeley invested in a shop in Leeds selling sports goods and worked for his family's DIY business.[20] He and his brothers sold this business for £27 million in 1987.[21] In 1992, he had a benign brain tumour removed. He had a mild heart attack in 2002,[22] and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2004.[23] Madeley was portrayed by actor Chris Moore in the 2009 film The Damned United, an adaptation of David Peace's novel of the same name about Brian Clough's ill-fated tenure at Leeds.[23][24]
Madeley died on 23 July 2018, aged 73.[25]
Honours
[edit]Leeds United
- Football League First Division: 1968–69, 1973–74[26]
- Football League Second Division: 1963–64[20]
- FA Cup: 1971–72;[26] runner-up: 1969–70,[27] 1972–73[27]
- Football League Cup: 1967–68[26]
- FA Charity Shield: 1969[28]
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1967–68, 1970–71[20]
Individual
- Rothmans Golden Boots Awards: 1972, 1973, 1974[29]
- PFA Team of the Year: 1973–74 First Division,[30] 1974–75 First Division,[30] 1975–76 First Division[31]
- Leeds United Player of the Year: 1975–76[32]
References
[edit]- ^ Rollin, Jack (1981). Rothmans Football Yearbook: 1981–82. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 196. ISBN 0-362-02046-9. OCLC 868301130.
- ^ Mason, Peter (25 July 2018). "Paul Madeley obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ^ a b c "Paul MADELEY – England – Biography 1971–77". sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ "Paul madeley". freewebs.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ a b c "Paul Madeley". leedsunited-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ "LUFCTALK: Paul Madeley". lufctalk.com. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ^ "England Players Online: Paul Madeley". englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ^ "Leeds United Player Profiles: Paul Madeley". ozwhitelufc.net.au. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ^ Townsend, Nick (14 December 2003). "Leeds can't bank on Mr Versatile for a sugar daddy". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Richard (2 March 2018). "1968 League Cup final win carried Leeds United into era among the elite". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "1970 European Competitions". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d Hay, Phil (23 July 2014). "Former Leeds United star of Revie era Paul Madeley dies aged 73". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Former Leeds United player Paul Madeley dies aged 73". Sky Sports. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "The Definitive History of Leeds United: Review of the Seventies – 1969–1979". mightyleeds.co.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- ^ "1973 UEFA Cup Final". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Leeds United 1973–74". World Football. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Leeds United Stats – Final Table Division One 1979–80". wafll.com. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ a b "England Player Profile". englandfc.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ "Scotland 0 England 5 – 14/2/1973". 11v11. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b c Bagchi, Rob (23 July 2018). "Paul Madeley, Leeds United's 'Mr Versatile', dies at the age of 73". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "United dominate rich list". The Telegraph. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ "United's Rolls-Royce Brought To Book". Leeds United F.C. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ a b Ley, John (26 March 2009). "The Damned United: Where are they now?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ "The Damned United: Full cast and crew". IMDb. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ^ "Paul Madeley: Leeds United legend dies, aged 73". BBC Sport. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b c "Paul Madeley, former Leeds and England utility man, dies aged 73". The Guardian. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b Vernon, Leslie; Rollin, Jack (1977). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78. London: Brickfield Publications Ltd. p. 491. ISBN 0354-09018-6.
- ^ Durham, Adrian (2013). Is He All That?: Great Footballing Myths Shattered. Simon and Schuster. p. 166. ISBN 978-1471131615.
- ^ "1969-1970 British Team of the Season". BigSoccer. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b Lynch, Tony (1995). The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. London: Random House. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-09-179135-3.
- ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 141.
- ^ "Leeds United legend Paul Madeley dies aged 73". 23 July 2018.
External links
[edit]- Paul Madeley at Englandstats.com
Paul Madeley
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing in Leeds
Paul Madeley was born on 20 September 1944 in Beeston, a working-class suburb of Leeds, England.[2][4] He grew up in the shadow of Elland Road, Leeds United's stadium, which was just a short distance from his childhood home, fostering an early connection to the city's vibrant football scene.[4] The youngest of three sons born to John Madeley and Gladys Madeley (née Nelson), Paul was raised in a modest household typical of post-war Leeds, where economic recovery shaped community life.[2] His family background reflected the industrial working-class ethos of the area, with Madeley leaving school at an early age to enter the workforce, initially as an apprentice in an insurance broker's office.[2][5] Although specific details on his parents' occupations are limited, the family's later involvement in a local DIY business underscores their entrepreneurial spirit within the community.[4] Madeley attended Parkside School in Leeds, where he first engaged with organized sports amid the post-war resurgence of youth activities and local leagues.[2] He earned recognition as an England schoolboys trialist, highlighting his emerging talent in football within the competitive schoolboy environment of the city.[4] Beyond football, Madeley showed prowess in athletics, remaining undefeated in city schoolboy sprinting events from ages 7 to 15, which demonstrated his natural athleticism and versatility from a young age.[4] This exposure to multiple sports through school and community play laid the groundwork for his lifelong dedication to physical pursuits.Entry into professional football
Paul Madeley began his competitive football journey playing for local school teams in Leeds during his teenage years, representing Cross Flatts Park Junior School and Parkside Secondary Modern School, as well as the Middleton Parkside Youth team alongside future professionals like Paul Reaney and Rod Johnson.[5] He earned recognition as an England schoolboys trialist, honing his skills in the vibrant local football culture of post-war Leeds that emphasized grassroots participation.[5][3] In the early 1960s, while working as an insurance broker, Madeley joined non-league side Farsley Celtic in the summer of 1961 at the age of 17, making his debut for the club on Remembrance Day 1961 in a 5-1 defeat to Scarborough Reserves alongside his brother Mick.[6][5] He contributed to Farsley Celtic's strong performance in the Yorkshire League Division One that season, helping the team secure a fourth-place finish, 13 points behind the champions.[6] Madeley's talent caught the attention of Leeds United scouts during a match against the club's junior side, leading to trials at Elland Road where he impressed manager Don Revie.[6][7] This culminated in his signing as an apprentice with Leeds United in May 1962, marking his transition from amateur to professional football.[3][5] Upon joining Leeds, Madeley entered the youth training system, where coaches began experimenting with his positional versatility under Revie's guidance, grooming him as a potential successor to defender Jack Charlton and exposing him to multiple roles early in his development.[5] His progress was evident in the 1963 season, when he made his first appearances for the Leeds reserve team, gaining valuable experience in competitive senior-level matches.[6][5]Club career
Signing with Leeds United
Paul Madeley joined Leeds United from non-league side Farsley Celtic in May 1962, where his performances as an amateur had caught the attention of the club's scouts, facilitating his transition into professional football. Initially taken on as an apprentice, he combined his development at Elland Road with part-time work in an insurance office, honing his skills in the youth setup under the guidance of manager Don Revie.[5][3] Madeley secured his first professional contract with Leeds in 1963 at the age of 18, marking the end of his apprenticeship and the start of his full-time commitment to the club. His versatility was evident from the outset, as he trained across various outfield positions, preparing him for the demands of senior football in the Second Division.[8][9] He made his league debut on 11 January 1964, playing at centre-back in a 1-0 home victory over Manchester City. Under Revie, Madeley served as a utility player, deputizing in defense and midfield amid injuries to established squad members, which allowed him to gain valuable experience in multiple roles.[5][4] During the 1963-64 season, Madeley featured in four league matches and two FA Cup ties, totaling six appearances as Leeds secured promotion as Second Division champions. This limited but impactful exposure highlighted his quick adaptation to the physical and tactical rigors of professional play, building a foundation for his future prominence in the team.[9][5]Rise and key achievements
Madeley's breakthrough came during Leeds United's promotion to the First Division in the 1963-64 season, where he made his professional debut as a centre-half against Manchester City on 11 January 1964, contributing to the team's second-place finish in the Second Division that secured their return to the top flight under manager Don Revie.[2] His early versatility across defensive and midfield roles laid the groundwork for his integration into Revie's emerging powerhouse squad, which transformed Leeds into consistent title challengers by the late 1960s.[5] A pivotal moment in Madeley's ascent arrived in the 1967-68 season, as he featured prominently in Leeds' first major honour, the Football League Cup. Playing as a forward wearing the number 9 shirt, he started in the final against Arsenal at Wembley, helping secure a 1-0 victory through a disciplined team performance that ended Leeds' long trophy drought.[2] The following season, 1968-69, Madeley appeared in 31 league matches in various positions, underpinning Leeds' First Division title win with his reliability and tactical adaptability.[5] His contributions extended to Europe in the 1970-71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, where, deployed in left midfield, he scored a vital goal in the first leg against Juventus in Turin, helping secure a 3–2 aggregate triumph and Leeds' second continental success.[10] Madeley's peak form was evident in the 1969-70 campaign, during which he played over 50 games across all competitions, including the league, FA Cup, League Cup, and European Cup, as Leeds finished as runners-up in the First Division while reaching the European Cup semi-finals.[5] He continued to excel in 1971-72, stepping in at left-back due to Terry Cooper's injury and starting in the FA Cup Final, where Leeds defeated Arsenal 1-0 to claim their first-ever FA Cup.[5] By the 1973-74 season, Madeley had amassed over 500 appearances for Leeds, forming a cornerstone of the squad that clinched the First Division title for the second time, with his selection to the PFA Division One Team of the Year underscoring his enduring impact.[3]Later years and retirement
Following Don Revie's departure to manage the England national team in 1974, Leeds United underwent significant managerial instability, with Brian Clough's brief 44-day tenure in summer 1974 before Jimmy Armfield took charge, leading to a transitional period marked by declining team fortunes and increased reliance on veteran players like Madeley.[2] The club struggled to replicate its earlier dominance, finishing mid-table in subsequent seasons, and Madeley, whose prior successes in the 1960s and early 1970s had extended his career longevity, continued to feature prominently despite the challenges.[11] In the 1975-76 season under Armfield, Leeds flirted with relegation early on but rallied to secure a fifth-place finish in the First Division, with Madeley making 40 appearances across all competitions as he adapted to defensive roles amid injuries to teammates like Gordon McQueen and Paul Reaney.[12] However, persistent physical demands and minor injuries began to affect his availability, contributing to a gradual reduction in his playing time; by the 1979-80 season, his appearances dropped to 29, reflecting the toll of nearly two decades of high-intensity football.[13] Madeley's final competitive outing came in the 1980-81 season, limited to just eight appearances before a career-ending injury in a 5-0 home defeat to Arsenal on November 8, 1980.[5] He announced his retirement later that season at age 36, citing the cumulative physical toll of his versatile career, which included 726 appearances and 33 goals for Leeds United across all competitions.[2][9][14]International career
England debut and selection
Paul Madeley's entry into the England national team came under manager Alf Ramsey following the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where Madeley had been approached as a potential replacement for injured Leeds United teammate Paul Reaney but declined the invitation due to exhaustion from his club's demanding schedule and a preference for a family holiday.[1] His strong performances at Leeds, including contributions to their push for domestic honors, had caught Ramsey's attention as a versatile defender capable of filling multiple roles in the backline.[15] Madeley earned his first cap on 15 May 1971, starting at right-back in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the British Home Championship at Windsor Park, Belfast.[16] This debut marked the beginning of his international career, with Ramsey valuing his reliability and adaptability amid ongoing squad transitions after the World Cup disappointment.[3] In his first two years, Madeley accumulated eight caps, all as a starter, including appearances in European Championship qualifiers against Switzerland in October and November 1971, as well as British Home Championship matches in 1972.[16] These early outings often saw him deployed in defensive positions, where he faced stiff competition from established stars like captain Bobby Moore for central defensive spots, highlighting the depth of talent in Ramsey's squad.[1]Major tournaments and caps
Madeley earned a total of 24 caps for England between 1971 and 1977, all without scoring, establishing himself as a reliable utility player in various defensive and midfield roles during a period of transition for the national team.[16] His international career began with a debut in the 1971 British Home Championship against Northern Ireland and culminated in a friendly defeat to the Netherlands on 9 February 1977, under manager Don Revie.[16][17] A significant portion of Madeley's caps came during England's unsuccessful qualification campaigns for major tournaments, where his versatility allowed him to fill multiple positions amid squad injuries and tactical shifts. In the 1972 UEFA European Championship qualifiers, he featured in Group 3 matches against Switzerland (both home and away legs in 1971) and Greece (away in December 1971), as well as the quarter-final legs against West Germany (home and away in April and May 1972), contributing to a group stage that England topped before a 3-1 aggregate quarter-final loss to West Germany, ending their hopes of reaching the finals.[18][19] These appearances, totaling around 10 in the European qualifiers across campaigns, highlighted his adaptability but did not lead to tournament progression.[16] Madeley's role extended to the 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where he played in both legs against Poland in 1973—a 2-0 away defeat in Chorzów on 6 June and a 1-1 home draw at Wembley on 17 October—that ultimately cost England qualification on goal difference.[20][21] Despite these high-stakes outings, Madeley never started in a major tournament final, serving primarily as a squad utility option during an era when England failed to advance beyond qualifiers for the 1974 World Cup and 1976 European Championship.[22] His contributions included several friendlies interspersed with these campaigns, underscoring his value in maintaining team depth without securing a spot in the finals.[16] By 1977, at age 32, Madeley stepped away from international duty, prioritizing his club commitments at Leeds United amid fluctuating form and increasing competition for places in the England squad.[23] This marked the end of a seven-year international stint defined by dependable service in qualifiers rather than tournament glory.[24]Playing style
Versatility across positions
Paul Madeley demonstrated remarkable versatility throughout his 18-year career at Leeds United, playing in every outfield position except goalkeeper.[2][25] This adaptability allowed him to fill roles across the defense, midfield, and forward line, making him an indispensable squad member during periods of injury or rotation.[26] Under manager Don Revie, Madeley underwent targeted training to hone his multi-positional capabilities, enabling seamless transitions between roles in Revie's tactical setups.[27] This development earned him the nickname "Mr. Versatile," reflecting his ability to perform competently wherever deployed.[25] Notable examples highlight Madeley's positional flexibility in major matches. In the 1968 Football League Cup Final against Arsenal, he wore the No. 9 shirt and played as a centre-forward, contributing to Leeds' 1–0 victory at Wembley.[2][5] Three years later, during the 1971 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final against Juventus, he lined up as a winger (No. 11 shirt) and scored Leeds' first goal in the 2–2 first-leg draw that, via away goals, helped secure the trophy after a 0–0 second leg.[2][28] In the 1972 FA Cup Final, following left-back Terry Cooper's broken leg earlier in the season, Madeley shifted to the No. 3 position at left-back, helping Leeds defeat Arsenal 1–0.[5] He also frequently deputized at right-back, such as during the 1969–70 season when covering for Paul Reaney.[5] Madeley's positional usage varied by season and competition, often dictated by team needs. Primarily a defender or midfielder, he appeared in central defense and midfield during the 1960s league campaigns, transitioning to forward roles in cup ties like the 1968 League Cup.[5] In the 1970–71 season, for instance, he played 34 league games across defensive and midfield positions while contributing to the Fairs Cup success in an attacking capacity.[13] Over his Leeds tenure, he wore every outfield shirt number from 2 to 11, underscoring his broad deployment.[29]| Season/Competition | Primary Positions Played | Appearances (Examples) |
|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 League Cup | Centre-forward | 5 (including final) |
| 1969–70 League | Central defender, right-back | 31 |
| 1970–71 Fairs Cup | Winger, midfielder | 12 (including final) |
| 1971–72 FA Cup | Left-back | 5 (including final) |
| 1972–73 League | Central midfield, defender | 34 |
