Trevor Cherry

Lore & Background

Born in Huddersfield, Cherry started his career at his hometown club Huddersfield Town before making his name at Leeds United during the 1970s. He made 486 appearances for Leeds, winning the Championship title in 1973–74. He won 27 international caps and captained England once. Cherry died suddenly on 29 April 2020, aged 72, from COVID-19.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights at Elland Road hummed with a low, electric buzz as the away fans filed in through the north stand. Cherry laced his boots in the changing room, the familiar smell of liniment and old leather filling the air. He could hear Clough's voice already, sharp and clipped, running through the team-talk for the third time. 'Left-back. You don't get a day off. You don't get a breather. You hold the line or you don't play.' Cherry nodded, pulled his white shirt tight, and walked out onto the grass. The pitch was immaculate, the goal net taut and white in the light. He could feel the weight of the shirt, the season, the expectation. He set his shoulders, found his marker, and waited for the kick-off. The ball would come. It always came. And he would be there.

Reader's Guide

Cherry played as a defender, predominantly at left back for Leeds United under manager Don Revie. He was part of the Leeds team that lost the 1973 FA Cup final to Sunderland and won the League championship in 1973–74. He captained Leeds after Billy Bremner left in 1976. He later became player-manager of Bradford City, leading them to the Division Three title in 1984–85.

Did You Know?

• Cherry was the first England player to be sent off in an international friendly, against Argentina in 1977.
• He marked Johan Cruyff out of both legs of the 1975 European Cup semi-final against Barcelona.
• Cherry was voted the 30th best Leeds United player by fans in 2000.
• He was given an honorary degree by the University of Huddersfield in November 2005.