They played for both sides.......

Welcome back to the series that serves as a warm-up to Highland's fling, The Matchday Thread. Worth noting that the great man was a little premature last week compared to his normal standards but we understand that Mrs H wasn't too concerned on this occasion.

In the second instalment of "They played for both sides....." we focus on a player who has represented both Leeds United and Cardiff City.

There are plenty of players to choose from but one true great stands head and shoulders above all, John Charles aka The Gentle Giant.

John played twice for Leeds United, initially from 1948 through to 1957 when he signed for the mighty Juventus. His second stint was much shorter returning in 1962 but returning again to Italy that same year this time with Roma.

During his two stints John amassed over 300 appearances and his goals tally was only surpassed by the legend that is Peter Lorimer. An accomplished centre-half and centre forward John sadly passed away in 2004 aged 72.

Sadly I never saw the great man play for Leeds United but there are several tributes on YouTube such as this one:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzmoxp_kfaI

Sadly I'm left with one glamorous assistant, LIW, who despite being a grumpy old bugga is also too young to have seen The Gentle Giant play but his objective views on the the great man are still welcome. My researcher is otherwise engaged in research but still managed to pull a huge rabbit out of the hat recently telling us that "Morison speaks".

Got to be honest I was shocked to think that people thought he was a mute. Apparently it is newsworthy because a fellow poster also broke the same news. Perhaps it's not the language issue that's causing us problems, perhaps our players just can't talk?

So fellow followers of the not so famous Mighty Whites........

1) if you were lucky enough to see John Charles play for Leeds United, what are your abiding memories of the great man?
2) which other players who represented both clubs do you harbour great affections for and why?
3) which other Welsh Leeds United players figure highly in your thoughts?
4) is there a current Cardiff City player that you'd want at ER and which current Leeds United player would he replace (using the last starting Leeds United XI)?
5) where is Lucas the Kop Kat?

For our most welcome guests, followers of the Bluebirds (or is that Redbirds now???) your thoughts on the following please:

1) Vincent Tan - fashionista or fashion disaster?
2) What memories do you have of the late, great John Charles?
3) which current Leeds United player would you take to Cardiff City (if you really, really, really had to)?
4) red or blue?

This week's instalment proudly bought to you in association with www.filtering-signofstrengthorweakness.com.

Over to you......................

MOT