Lucas Radebe during his playing days at Leeds United
Wayne Rooney may have grabbed the headlines following the PFA awards, but Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe was also recognised with a Merit Award.
When former South African president Nelson Mandela states ‘you are my hero’ it says everything you need to know about the impact Lucas Radebe has had on the game of football, both here in this country and worldwide.
From the Townships of Soweto to the captain of Leeds United, the man they called ‘The Chief’ has been held in such high regard by football folk and the PFA was proud to declare Lucas the Merit Award winner of 2010.
The former Kaiser Chiefs midfielder became a cult figure at Elland Road as a defender and a leader, and a crowd of over 37,000 attended his testimonial game in 2005 to pay tribute to a man who has contributed so much, in so many ways.
He is still a crowd favourite at Elland Road and fans can be heard frequently singing his name even after his retirement, showing how much he endeared himself to them during his playing career. Ricky Wilson, lead singer of the Kaiser Chiefs, even named the band in his honour.
Charities
The proceeds of Lucas’s testimonial, and a subsequent ‘retirement match’, were both donated to various charities of which he has been a huge supporter.
On October 8, 2009, the English Football Association announced Radebe, who won 70 caps for South Africa, as an ambassador to help boost the 2018 World Cup bid.
He has also been an ambassador of FIFA for SOS Children's Villages, and received the FIFA Fair Play Award in December 2000 for his contribution in ridding soccer of racism as well as for his work with children in South Africa.
In April 2003, for recognition of his efforts both on an off the field, Radebe was given the Contribution to the Community Award in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards.
'Proud'
A suite at Elland Road is named the Radebe Entrance, and after receiving his PFA Merit Award he said: “I am very proud to win this award and I think it shows what football can do.
“Nelson Mandela once said that sport can change the world and football has played a massive part in uplifting our community.
“It is an exciting time for South Africa having been awarded the 2012 World Cup and I think we will try our best to make it the best World Cup ever.
“It is not only about football but an opportunity to show what our country can do and what it can offer tourists.”
From givemefootball.com
