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Joe Jordan must surely rank as one of the greatest bargain finds
Leeds ever made. Ignored by the big clubs as he left school, he
played for Scottish junior side Blantyre Vics before moving on to
Morton, while holding down a job as a draughtsman to pay the bills.
When Bobby Collins saw the raw talent in the 18-year-old Jordan, he
had no hesitation in recommending him to Don Revie, and Revie's
shrewd £15,000 punt on the youngster was to pay great
dividends for Leeds.
His toothless scowl was to become the terror of defenders
throughout the league - he removed his false teeth before games to
make himself look even more ferocious (as well as to make sure that
they didn't fall out!). He was slowly brought into the first team
as a substitute and made his international debut against the old
enemy in 1973. He became a regular at international level and was
to score the goal that took Scotland to the 1974 World Cup
Finals.
It was a massive loss to the club when he moved on to Manchester
United for a record fee, and he looked good enough to persuade the
great AC Milan to come in for him. His old-fashioned centre-forward
approach was less of a success in Italy, and on his return to
England he had three seasons with Southampton before finishing his
playing career with Terry Cooper's Bristol City at the age of
39
He subsequently took charge of City and had a spell in
management in Scotland with Hearts in the early 1990s. Joe is
currently assisting with the coaching duties at Huddersfield Town
with Lou Macari.
Matty says: Joe Jordan has two sons, Andrew 22 and Thomas 19,
who are both extremely talented football players, watch this
space!!
Jim says: I remember Joe when he was a wee Cleland laddie,long
before he was a footballing legend,his family lived above my granny
in chapel st,she was his granny's sister.
Alexander says: I'm a Lebanese fan of Joe Jordan and I believe
he was a very good striker. He was present in 3 world cups (1974,
1978 and 1982). How many British players did the same ?!
Jules says: I have been lucky enough to have met Joe and have my
photo taken with him when he came to the Isle of Wight for two
Southampton Supporters Club dinners. Even though my team has always
been Leeds, it was the only way to get to see him!! He is
wonderful!!!
George Hennig says: In the seventies I recorded an rock-album
for a german label (the band was called "Julien B", and the Title
was "First Snow"). The album wasn't very succesful. But the point
is it showed Joe Jordan all in white on the cover. J. Jordan gave
me the permission to use the picture. I still have the letter (on
original ManU-paper) where he says he wishes me succes with the
album. The whole band were great fans of leeds an joe jordan those
days, and we were shocked when leeds lost in Paris against Bayern.
They didn't deserve to lose! And I'm still sure it was a penalty
(not given) when Beckenbauer made a foul on A. Clarke (?). That one
would have changed it all.
Ian says: Joe lost his front teeth in one of his first
appearances in a Leeds shirt. A collision with Bill Glazier in a
reserve match at Coventry City nearly brought Joe's Leeds career to
an abrupt end before it had properly started. His resilience and
determination to prove himself after such an early setback make his
success even more deserved.
Ms Sharon Kitchen says: I believe i am possibily related i was
an adopted child and a few years ago looked for my natural family.
Ifound my brothers joe and eddie who lived in lanarkshire. my
natural father , also a joe jordan would of been his uncle.i am an
artist and have drawn him from photos.he does not know of me as i
never had the guts to try contact him.
whits says: shocking coach though.
Rubén Macavilca says: I remembered Joe's boastings on
several World Cup 74' matches. Those scenes were enjoyable, and
surely influented by another interstellar clown, Muhammad
Ali...
sye webster fae arbroath says: Big Joe is a Scotland legend and
my hero. In fact i named my son after him, Jordan Webster.
Jo (freaky, i know- my mum ISN'T a psycho) says: Hi, to cut a
long story short. I am trying to get in contact with joe jordan as
it is my mum's 40th birthday in december and she is a HUGE fan of
his. I would just like an address or phone number where i could get
him to phone my mum or write her a letter cos she would b over the
moon and that would certainly commemorate her 40th. Pleeeease help
me, i would b forever grateful! Thank you, jo xx x x x x x
Urmas Kangur says: He scored in 3 different world cup(record for
Scotland)
Urmas Kangur says: hei Jo (freaky, i know- my mum ISN'T a
psycho). Try to write to Scotland Soccer Federation (Jabba
pedantically says The Scottish Football Association might be a
better bet - or try via Sky Sports where he occasionally pops up as
a summariser).
Phil Harrison says: My best memory was seeing Joe score a
hat-trick against Arsenal in a 6-1 win at Elland Road, just 5 days
after the cup final against Sunderland.Arsenal had a full strength
side out, including Alan Ball, George Armstrong(who scored for them
to make it 2-1) before Big Joe's ariel power was just too much for
the Gunners.For me that was the launch pad that led to United
winning the Championship the next season.Great days.
Mariano says: when i had more or less eighteen years old, i was
a greate joe jordan fan.On fact, always the names of my clubs in
the primary school here in spain was called joe jordan in honour of
him. Even i have a tatuaje over my shoulder whith his initials. But
the pity was that here in spain was very difficult to can see
mathes of Joe.But i had the lucky of can see him in 1982 in Malaga.
It was like a dream to can see him to jump like Santillana ,
another great footballer etc etc
Jean Marie D'hertefelt says: I m sure i am his biggest fan in
belgium I hope life is getiing well for him, i would like to meet
him once in my life
Rhona Johnstone says: Joe Jordan is a scholar and a gentleman.
He has been my football hero for more years than I care to admit
and he made my day on my last birthday when he sent me a card and
left a birthday message on my answerphone. Thank you, Joe, you will
never know how much that meant to me.
Wibo Wierda says: I work for the Scottish Football Museum &
I will nominate Joe Jordan for the Scottish Footballers' Hall of
Fame. He was one of the first players that made a big impression on
me. All the best to him!
Julie Brock says: My walls were covered in joe jordan from the
age of nine, he is my ultimate hero! I even named my son after him.
What more can I say! I received a wedding card from him 9 years ago
after my husbands best man wrote to him, that meant more to me on
the day than getting married (well a very close second at the
time!!) Alot of people can't understand but to me you are just the
best and always will be.
Mick Kierans says: I met Joe in Drogheda Ireland and had the
pleasure of buying him a pint and a good chat.He is a gentleman
despite being recognized as a fearsome striker and I found him to
be very humble,a legend in every sense of the word.
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