Carl Shutt ⭑ From A-Z since '92
There were always players who earned more than Shutty, who played more often than Shutty, who had more fame than Shutty, who perhaps looked at him leaving the pitch in pain and asked themselves why he was always working so hard.
This is part of my (eight year long, it'll fly by) attempt to write about every Leeds United player since 1992. For more about why I'm doing this, go back to Aapo Halme, and to read all the players so far, browse the archive here.
It's okay sometimes to get some symbolism mixed up with your nostalgia and make what you wish of footballing history. Howard Wilkinson's glory years began in 1988 and ended, first, in May 1992 with the First Division title. Most histories will skip from there to Eric Cantona's sale to Old Trafford in November and declare the good times over. But that team hadn't been finished that summer.
That Leeds beat Liverpool to win the Charity Shield in August, and then on the night of October 9th Sergeant Wilko's barmy army enjoyed one of the barmiest, Wilkoest nights of the early nineties. In Barcelona, in a play-off against Stuttgart, in the European Cup. The Charity Shield might have belonged to Cantona's hat-trick but the old guard and the old values weren't done yet. Fifteen minutes to go, 1-1, Eric off, Shutty on.
Leeds United's Championship winning season, game by game, as written at Leedsista.com.
This 350 page Royal format softback book compiles every match report and essay about the title-winning 2024/25 season so you can relive the anxiety, and the glory, game by game.
In stock and on sale right now! They're a lovely chunky item that will add heft and style to any bookshelf.
Thanks to everyone who has bought one so far.
Also: the shop has had a minor revamp and there are some baseball caps now, to keep the sun out your eyes in a cool way.
"What a birthday it is for Carl Shutt," Wilkinson said after the game. "He started in non-League, I took him to Sheffield Wednesday, and now he ends up scoring the winner in a European Cup-tie."
It had taken him less than a minute. Soon to be 31-year-old Carl Shutt came on when Leeds were defending a corner, challenging for the ball as it came over and was headed clear. Seeing the ball go to Tony Dorigo, Shutt sprinted up the middle, called for it back in the centre circle, and after the lobbed pass forward cannoned off his marker Shutt was off, running towards goal.