News
Tony Dorigo: The Forgotten Great Leeds Full-Back?
Tony Dorigo joined Leeds United from Chelsea in the summer of 1991. It would be difficult to imagine a better opening season. And don’t worry, we know he hasn’t really been “forgotten”.
Overview
Tony Dorigo joined Leeds United from Chelsea in the summer of 1991.
It would be difficult to imagine a better opening season. And don’t worry, we know he hasn’t really been “forgotten”.
Straight into the champions
Dorigo made his Leeds debut on 20 August 1991 and immediately became an important part of Howard Wilkinson's side.
At the end of his first season, Leeds were champions of England and Dorigo had been voted the club's Player of the Year.
For a player arriving at an already successful club, that was some introduction.
The left side
Dorigo gave Leeds balance.
On the right was Mel Sterland, an adventurous full-back who loved getting forward. Dorigo provided quality from the opposite flank while contributing to the defensive structure that allowed Wilkinson's side to control matches.
He wasn't simply a defender.
He was comfortable carrying the ball, supporting attacks and delivering from wide positions.
England international
Dorigo's Leeds performances didn't go unnoticed.
He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for 1992-93, another indication of how highly he was regarded during his time at Elland Road.
He was also part of the 1992 Charity Shield-winning side, scoring in the 4-3 victory over Liverpool at Wembley.
Longevity
Dorigo stayed at Leeds for six seasons, making 209 appearances and scoring six goals.
Those numbers are easily lost among the more glamorous Leeds names of the era.
But 209 appearances is a substantial contribution.
He was there through the transition from champions to Premier League regulars and remained part of the club through a changing generation of players.
Why Tony Dorigo mattered
The word “forgotten” is deliberately provocative.
Perhaps Dorigo isn't forgotten at all by those who watched him.
But compared with Strachan, Batty, Speed, McAllister, Cantona, Yeboah and other headline names from the era, he can disappear from the conversation.
That shouldn't happen.
Tony Dorigo arrived as a new signing and immediately became a champion. He was Player of the Year in his first Leeds season, an England international and a dependable member of one of the strongest Leeds sides of the modern era.
That is a pretty good definition of a great full-back.