Lucas Live in Leeds

Lucas Radebe’s return to Leeds was a great success.

The beaming smile of Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe has made a welcome to return to the city that he made his own.

Radebe, who made over 200 appearances for the Whites during a nine-year spell in Yorkshire, revisited Leeds on Saturday for the launch of the updated version of his best-selling authorised biography.

The 44-year-old former defender signed copies of ‘Lucas – from Soweto to Soccer Superstar’ for fans with fond memories of the South African during appearances at Waterstones, in Albion Street, on Saturday and at the Leeds United club shop at Elland Road on Sunday.

The book, written by journalist Richard Coomber, chronicles Radebe’s rise from the slums in apartheid era South Africa to leading the country’s first post-ban national team to two World Cup finals and flourishing in star-studded Leeds United sides of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Mr Coomber said: “Lucas’s story is worth telling. It reminds us that it remains possible for kids born in tough circumstances to make the most of their talent if they are willing to put in the effort.

“It shows that not all highly paid sportsmen and women are in it for what they can take out. It restores your faith in people.”

The Yorkshire Post wrote: Radebe became one of the biggest sporting personalities in South Africa during his distinguished footballing career and received the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Special Merit Award for his outstanding contribution to professional football for both club and country earlier this year.

Fellow Leeds icon Eddie Gray said: “Lucas Radebe is one of the nicest men you would ever want to meet. His story is an inspiration for everyone.”

Visit www.greatnorthernbooks.co.uk for further information. www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Original post:
Lucas Radebe will be signing copies of the new release paperback edition of his biography: Waterstones Leeds : 11.30am-1pm on Saturday, 19th October. LUFC shop at Elland Road, 9.30am on Sunday, 20th October.