Leeds United need a big scoreline this weekend. This was the last XI to do it.
Leeds United need a minor miracle this weekend if they are to reach the play-offs. They will need Fulham to lose, while beating Wigan by as much as 13 goals.
Unlikely, but in the Massimo Cellino era Leeds have done this once.
It came in 2014 in a pre-season game under the brief management of Dave Hockaday, in a farcical match against over matched Italian minnows FC Gherdeina.
Here is a look at what happened to the XI which started in the one sided contest…
Marco Silvestri: One of just two players from the XI to remain at Leeds United, the Italian was making his debut and could not have asked for an easier afternoon of football.
Leeds United’s Marco Silvestri saves from Norwich City’s Alex Pritchard during the penalty shoot out
Sam Byram: At the time Sam Byram was Leeds’ most promising young talent. 18 months later he was sold to West Ham after failing to agree a new contract.
Ross Killock: The promising centre-back never made the grade at Leeds and was released last summer. He signed with non-league side Chester City where he has had an injury hit spell.
Jason Pearce: Defender was seen as Leeds’ leader heading into the season but was sold midway through it after falling out of favour. He signed for Wigan before departing for Charlton Athletic last summer.
Jason Pearce playing for Wigan
Charlie Taylor: The second of the XI to still be a Leeds player, but only just. This weekend could be Taylor’s final game for the club with his contract set to expire in June.
Rodolph Austin: Jamaican international was surprisingly released in 2015 and would later be denied a work permit as he tried to sign with Sheffield Wednesday. Now 31, he plays for Danish side Brondby.
David Norris: After being overlooked by Brian McDermott, David Norris was briefly back in favour under Dave Hockaday. Neil Redfearn didn’t feel the same way and he released him the following February. Now 36 he recently signed a short term deal with Salford City.
Leeds United’s David Norris
Aidy White: Once a promising young talent, Aidy White has failed to live up to expectations. He has recently been at Barnsley but is set to become a free agent after an injury ravaged spell.
Noel Hunt: Goals were incredibly tough to come by for Noel Hunt in a Leeds shirt, but he bagged a hat-trick against FC Gherdeina. He is currently playing for League Two side Portsmouth.
Millwall’s Steve Morison
Steve Morison: Morison was another goalshy striker who got on the scoresheet in Italy, scoring twice. He played regulary for Leeds in 2014/15, before returning to former club Millwall where he remains.
Lewis Walters: Exciting young striker Lewis Walters would later suffer an injury in 2014 pre-season which damaged his prospects. He was released last year and signed with Nottingham Forest but has also been unable to make the breakthrough there.
Notable substitute: Matt Smith: You can’t mention the 16-0 win over FC Gherdeina without referencing Matt Smith’s six goal haul. Considering he did it after coming on as a half-time substitute, it was even more impressive. He was sold weeks later, and is currently playing for QPR.
QPR’s Matt Smith in action with Wigan’s Stephen Warnock, his former Leeds teammate
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