Shared Shirts | Cardiff City and Leeds United
Our first game of the 2023/24 season is rapidly approaching, as the Bluebirds start their Championship campaign against recently relegated Leeds United.
Numerous players have played in the blue of City and the white of United. We take a look at three men who left their mark on both clubs.
John Charles
When you think of the cities of Cardiff and Leeds, one iconic figure jumps to mind.
Il Gigante Buono made the move to Leeds United early in his career and played in West Yorkshire for nine years. In 297 appearances for the Whites, he scored 157 goals.
Although he did not win a trophy at Elland Road, he left a legacy that not many are capable of reaching, with the West Stand being renamed as the John Charles Stand in his honour in 2004.
After spells in Italy with Juventus and Roma, and one season back at Leeds, Charles returned to South Wales to play for the Bluebirds.
In his mid-30s, he played for City on 67 occasions and scored 18 goals, and was also pivotal in helping the club win consecutive Welsh Cups, in 1964 and 1965.
Stephen McPhail
The Irish midfield general would become a Ninian Park legend, but started his career off at Leeds United.
After coming through the club's academy, McPhail broke into the First Team in Leeds’ glory years of the late 90s. McPhail was a regular starter and made numerous European appearances, including Champions League games at the Nou Camp and the Stadio Olimpico.
Loans to Millwall and Nottingham Forest came prior to a permanent move to fellow Yorkshire club, Barnsley. McPhail spent two season at Oakwell, before City secured his services at the end of his contract.
In his first season at the club, McPhail fitted seamlessly into the midfield alongside the likes of Peter Whittingham, Joe Ledley and Paul Parry. He went on to have the honour of leading City out at Wembley for the 2008 FA Cup Final against Portsmouth.
McPhail played a key role in the midfield as the Bluebirds battled in the upper echelons of the Championship. He departed the club in 2013, having made 190 appearances. The Irishman will always be a fan’s favourite at Cardiff City Stadium.
Ross McCormack
After starting his career playing for Rangers and Motherwell, City secured the services of striker McCormack ahead of the 2008/09 season.
His first season at Ninian Park was nothing short of spectacular; with 23 goals in all competitions, Ross finished as the club’s top scorer and took second place in the Championship’s top scorer table. As a result of his form for the Bluebirds, he broke into the Scottish national team.
In his second season, McCormack was involved in three of the four goals in City’s 4-0 win over Scunthorpe United, the first ever competitive game at Cardiff City Stadium.
McCormack joined Leeds United in 2010, and shone at Elland Road. In his four seasons at United, he played some of his best football, as he won the Golden Boot in the second-tier and was named in the Championship Team of the Season twice.
After departing Leeds, McCormack featured in Australia and is currently played for Liversedge in the seventh tier of English football.
