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Oliver Jones

The Leeds United XI who beat Manchester United on Christmas Eve 1995 and where they are now

Of all the historic rivalries Leeds United have, their one against Manchester United is easily one of the best. But their game on Christmas Eve of 1995 still remains a sweet memory in the minds of Whites fans.

A penalty after just six minutes was thumped home by captain Gary McAllister after Nicky Butt was cautioned for a handball in the area, before an equaliser from Andy Cole following a defensive mistake by Gary Speed.

However, after a slip by Man United defender Paul Parker, Leeds forward Tony Yeboah picked up the ball before chipping it over Peter Schmeichel to give the lead back to the hosts.

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Just 18 minutes from time, both sides had had chances but it was Brian Deane who stepped up and headed a bullet past Schmeichel to secure all three points for the Whites.

But where are all those involved in that match nowadays?

Mark Beeney - Goalkeeper

Despite only making 43 appearances over six seasons at Elland Road, goalkeeper Mark Beeney served as a backup to both starting goalkeepers in the 90's in John Lukic and then Nigel Martyn.

Nowadays he's a goalkeeping coach for Chelsea as their Reserve team and Academy goalkeeping coach - a position he's held since November 2007.

Gary Kelly - Right-back

Gary Kelly is one of the all-time great Leeds right-backs and went from a struggling defender to playing the World Cup over the space of one season the year previous in 1994.

His 531 appearances in total for Leeds make him the only player at the club to make more than 500 appearances from outside the stewardship of Don Revie. He retired in 2007 at the age of 32.

Richard Jobson - Centre-back

Only making 26 appearances for the Whites over three seasons, Richard Jobson was plagued by injuries during his time at Elland Road.

Jobson is now the Assistant Chief Executive at the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), a sporting trade union that protects both current and former players of the Premier League, the FA Women’s Super League and the English Football Leagues.

David Wetherall - Centre-back

This game fell right into the middle of David Wetherall's time at Elland Road, having joined from Sheffield Wednesday in 1991. He'd go on to leave the Whites for Bradford City, who paid Leeds a then-club record fee of £1.4m.

Having made 220 total appearances for the Whites over the course of those eight seasons, Wetherall is now the Director of Youth Development for the EFL.

Tony Dorigo - Left-back

Another great Leeds full-back, Tony Dorigo made 209 total appearances for the Whites over six seasons but is revered as a fan favourite for his fantastic abilities as a player.

He now works in the media as a pundit for the likes of Sky Sports, the BBC, ESPN and Eurosport while also doing commentary for the club's media channel, LUTV.

Tomas Brolin - Midfielder

Once hailed as the 'golden boy' of Swedish football in the early 1990s, an ankle injury sustained in a qualifying match for Euros 1996 meant Tomas Brolin never quite reached his expected heights after he turned up at Leeds in November 1995.

After retiring in 1998, Brolin took advantage of the booming Swedish property market and worked in the family business, having been born to a very wealthy father. He's also an avid poker player, becoming a regular participant in World Series Poker since 2006.

Gary McAllister - Midfielder

The captain and first goalscorer on that day, Gary McAllister is another Leeds legend having made 295 appearances for the Whites over the early-to-mid 90's.

Since retiring in 2004, he's gone into management and was the right-hand man of former Aston Villa and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard at both clubs.

Carlton Palmer - Midfielder

Carlton Palmer made 130 appearances for the Whites across just three years, and was eventually moved to Southampton in 1997 for £1m.

Following his playing career, he too went into management, first as player-manager of Stockport County before being sacked. Since, he's managed Mansfield Town and Grantham Town while working a pundit.

Gary Speed - Midfielder

A product of the Whites youth academy, Gary Speed will always be remembered as a Leeds legend as 143 of his 535 Premier League appearances came in a Leeds shirt.

After retiring with Sheffield United, Speed took the role as manager before leaving that post to take up a position as Head Coach of the Welsh national football team - a role he held until his tragic death in 2011.

Brian Deane - Forward

Brian Deane made 202 appearances for the Whites, but only managed 45 goals - although one was in this match.

After retiring, Deane became head coach of Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08 FF where he remained until 2014. In 2019, he also became a coach at Leeds' Development Hub, as well as a stakeholder in Football Superleague of Kosovo side Ferizaj.

Tony Yeboah - Forward

One of Leeds' all-time cult heroes is Tony Yeboah - one of just two men to win the BBC Goal of the Month award in two successive months - both of those coming earlier in this season.

Since retiring, he became the chairman of Ghanaian Premier League club Berekum Chelsea and also ran a hotel business in his home country.

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