It was chaos in Leeds. As the open-topped double-decker bus carrying the ecstatic football players made its sluggish way through the city’s streets, the streets were crowded and the air was electric.
Tony Dorigo watched with delight as the Leeds players waved to the supporters below and celebrated their promotion after winning the Championship with 100 points. The last time a Leeds squad brought home a trophy, Dorigo, who is now an excellent summariser for Leeds United’s LUTV, was on the bus.
When Howard Wilkinson’s squad won the First Division in 1992 (the Premier League was created the following year), it was 33 years ago.
“It doesn’t happen very often, so last season was unique, isn’t it?” remarked Dorigo, who was in Dublin on Tuesday to kick off the August 9 preseason match between Leeds United and AC Milan at the Aviva Stadium.
“I was playing in Leeds’ last parade, and that’s how long it takes to get back on a bus! So, while you can, take advantage of such times.
Australia’s Melbourne is where I was born and raised. In football, Dorigo had to fend for himself. He wrote to England’s top ten clubs at the age of 15 to request a trial. Since Aston Villa was the only team to reply, the excited Australian traveled to Birmingham, where he won a contract after impressing the scouts.
He smiles and replies, “It was all my own doing.”
“I obviously wrote a lot of garbage in that lengthy letter, which was four pages long, but it worked! They must have decided, “Let’s give this kid a chance,” after seeing something.
“With the scouting networks and all the mechanisms they have in place worldwide, I’m not sure whether that could happen today. Players are spotted a little earlier, but they didn’t see me. Instead, they took a risk, and I was lucky to be granted it at the age of 15.
“I was signed by Villa, made the first team at the age of 18, and won Player of the Year at the age of 19.” As an Australian child, playing professional football seems like a very distant goal while you’re growing up. It’s so far away.
“So, winning at Wembley, representing England in the 1990 World Cup… Simply put, it was a dream.
Dorigo, an attacking full-back with a silky touch, blistering speed, and a left-footed wand, moved from Chelsea to Leeds for the 1991–92 campaign. Leeds finished fourth in their first season back in the top division after being promoted in 1989–1990. In the first of Dorigo’s six seasons at Elland Road, their second season, they were at the top of the standings.
Dorigo believes that without significant investment, such accomplishment is nearly unattainable in the present period.
Dorigo, who is currently an ambassador for Leeds United, adds, “The last team that kind of surprised everyone was Leicester, which was just a heck of a story.”
They arrived and won the title the next season, therefore they weren’t in the Premier League for long. However, given how much Ipswich spent last summer—more than 100 million pounds to finish—and the fact that they were 15 points from safety, it won’t happen again.
That’s pretty insane, I must say. I don’t believe it looks good for the Premier League because you don’t want that to happen, and you don’t want the gap between the richest teams and the others to widen.
But I really believe that Leeds has a strong team off the field with the owners, so if any team can close that gap, it’s us.
“They’re very determined to maximise the potential and I think the potential is huge. We have a lot of support in Ireland, as well as in Australia, Scandinavia, America, and other countries.
We have the talent, but you have to perform it on the field. I believe we have a lot going for us, but this summer will be very important as we make sure to make the proper acquisitions. We must do it perfect even if we will be spending a lot of money.
“It’s challenging because many players want to establish themselves in the Premier League, but as a club, you have to constantly be searching for better players. You’re looking at six or seven signings.” Since the gap is widening rather than closing, you must always grow better.
“How many of our players who have excelled in the Championship will get the opportunity to do so in the Premier League? I’m not really sure.
It’s just the way the beast is. To get better, every team will be purchasing players.
The match between Leeds United and AC Milan begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Club supporters may get match tickets in advance on Tuesday, May 27, and the general public can purchase them at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 29. Adult tickets start at €35, while U16 tickets cost €20 (booking costs apply). Ticketmaster is the place to buy tickets.
Read more at;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk
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