Leeds United had little to rejoice throughout their 16-year hiatus from the Premier League, with their distress solely exacerbated as they even dropped into League One for a interval.
It was the bottom the membership had slumped to of their historical past and marked essentially the most depressing interval to assist the Whites.
A return to the highest flight appeared essentially the most unlikely of targets however little did they know they have been about to unleash a person who would take the staff on his again to return them to inside only one promotion of their dream.
The goalscoring exploits of Jermaine Beckford will go down in historical past on the Yorkshire outfit, as he appeared after they wanted him most to inject some hope again into the membership.
Whilst there have been solely a handful of heroes made earlier than their eventual 2020 return, the 6 foot 2 striker definitely will stay a kind of few to step up at their darkest hour.
How did Jermaine Beckford play for Leeds?
Having signed from Wealdstone after his unbelievable scoring file drew widespread consideration, the younger ahead thrived on mortgage at Scunthorpe United the place he foreshadowed his spectacular League One type that might show so necessary.
Is Jermaine Beckford a Leeds legend?
Yes
No
Upon his return to his mother or father membership, who had themselves simply been relegated from the Championship, he established himself as a mainstay within the facet, scoring 20 occasions in 40 league matches.
The 39-year-old wouldn’t relent in his burning need to propel the membership to promotion, because the season following he would notch an additional 27 targets as they once more missed out on promotion.
It could be third time fortunate although as as soon as once more Beckford showcased his imperious high quality, scoring 25 occasions as they triumphantly returned to the second division. This was removed from the place they wished to be however remained an enormous step in the direction of guaranteeing the additional promotion that might come only a decade later.
Beckford’s exploits underneath Simon Grayson’s management even led journalist Oliver Todd to dub him a “Warneford Road legend” simply months earlier than his eventual departure.
Although it was a interval the membership would possible fairly neglect, so as to add a major model of this hulking finisher up prime for the present facet could be a masterstroke, particularly when Javi Gracia‘s present outfit have scored simply as soon as of their final 5 video games in all competitions, and Patrick Bamford has solely mustered one league objective all season.
Not solely this however similarities might even be drawn between the now-retired ahead and Troy Deeney, who thrived within the Spaniard’s system as a goal man who scored lots.
Both boast unbelievable physiques and a ruggedness to problem centre-backs, however arguably the previous has way more velocity which might make him even deadlier within the Spaniard’s most well-liked 4-4-2 alongside one other frontman.
If anybody from the final decade or so might repair Leeds’ present goalscoring points, then it’s definitely Beckford – simply think about if Gracia had him now.
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