Robinson kept a clean sheet as Leeds secured a goalless draw against Chelsea.
On Saturday, Paul Robinson made his first appearance in the Premier League since 2012 after he was selected in between the sticks for Burnley’s game against Manchester City.
And while the 37-year-old would end up on the losing side, his performance arguably proved that he still has something to offer at the highest level after several years away.
With that in mind, here is a look at the Leeds side that hosted Chelsea on the 25th October 1998. The game – which finished goalless – signalled the first time that the Elland Road faithful had been able to see the future England stopper included in the starting line-up. But who else joined him in David O’Leary’s squad that day?
Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson
As mentioned, the academy graduate made his debut in the clash. And while no performance was ever likely to make O’Leary drop Nigel Martyn on a regular basis, he did his first-team chances no harm by keeping a clean sheet. Since leaving the Whites in 2004, he has played for Tottenham, Blackburn and now, of course, Burnley.
Lucas Radebe
The Leeds legend was enjoying his fifth season with the club when this game took place. He would go on to remain a key man for the Peacocks even when injuries prevented him from playing for long spells. He retired in 2005, having been unable to shake off the persistent problems.
Jonathan Woodgate
The fellow youngster’s debut for the first-team had only come one week before Robinson’s as he featured in the draw with Nottingham Forest. Like Radebe, injuries would play a big part in the rest of the defender’s career, preventing him from really making the grade at places like Newcastle, Real Madrid and Tottenham. After recently retiring following a spell with Middlesbrough, he now works for Liverpool as a scout.
Jonathan Woodgate
Danny Granville
The full-back made just nine league appearances for the Whites during his brief time at Elland Road. He would subsequently join Manchester City before spending time with Norwich, Crystal Palace, Colchester and Leyton Orient before slipping into the non-league game in 2009.
Robert Molenaar
The Dutchman was struggling for opportunities by this point in his Leeds career, but ultimately stayed until 2000, where he joined Bradford City. He would later join Roosendaal before retiring from playing in 2007. He is now currently the manager of Volendam, who play in the Dutch second division.
Martin Hiden
The Austrian spent the majority of his career playing in his home country, but did enjoy a two-year spell in the Premier League with Leeds. His playing career finished in 2010, and he subsequently became a coach.
Harry Kewell
The talented winger would make nearly 250 appearances in all competitions for the Whites before joining Liverpool in 2003. Despite his incredible ability, his decision to join Galatasaray in 2008 damaged his relationship with Leeds fans enormously. He would finish his career in his native Australia, and is now the under-21 head coach at Watford.
Lee Bowyer
The one-time England international was a key part of Leeds’ success around the Millennium. He would go on to enjoy two spells at West Ham, and a three-year stay at Newcastle in between, before finishing his career with Birmingham and Ipswich.
Stephen McPhail
The high point of McPhail’s Leeds career came in a fixture against the Blues in 1999 as he scored both goals in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Injuries prevented the midfielder making a huge impact for the club however, and he ultimately joined Barnsley in 2004. After a good stint at Oakwell, he spent seven years at Cardiff. He finished his career in Ireland after a brief spell with Sheffield Wednesday.
David Hopkin
The former Scotland international spent three years at Leeds, performing an important role in the side’s midfield. He returned to former club Crystal Palace in 2001 after spending a year with Bradford City. He would finish his career with Morton in 2003, before becoming part of the coaching set-up for more than a decade. He now serves as manager of Livingston.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
After a spell with Atletico Madrid following his time with Leeds, the Dutchman would join Chelsea in 2000. After a brilliant time with the Blues, he would enjoy a similar level of success with Middlesbrough. His playing career ended with spells at Charlton and Cardiff. As a manager, Hasselbaink was most recently seen at Queens Park Rangers but was sacked at the start of this month.
Substitutes
Nuno Santos
The goalkeeper made no appearances for Leeds before joining Benfica in 1999. He retired in 2012.
David Wetherall
The centre-back left Leeds for Bradford in 1999, famously scoring the goal that kept the Bantams up in 2000. He retired in 2008.
Alf Inge Haaland
After leaving Leeds in 2000, he would join Manchester City. His career would be hampered by injury and he initially retired in 2003.
Gunnar Halle
He would join Bradford in 1999 before finishing his career in England with Wolves. He retired in 2003 after a spell with Lillestrom. He has since been an assistant manager at various clubs, including back at Lillestrom, where he worked with future Leeds boss Uwe Rosler.
Clyde Wijnhard
The striker would not hit the heights with Leeds and would end up joining Huddersfield in 1999. A few spells in the lower leagues would follow before his retirement in 2006.
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