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With Peter Haddock having to retire through injury, and the
alternative being the honest but limited endeavours of Glynn Snodin
and Mike Whitlow, a new left back was always going to be a priority in
summer 1991 - and we picked up the best one in the country. Stuart
Pearce may have been an inspirational leader with a great shot, and
Graeme LeSaux might have had a little more pace, but Tony Dorigo was
the best left back around. In 4 years at Villa and the same period at
Chelsea, he'd enhanced his reputation and Wilko's decision to spend
£1.3 million on him was justified. Throughout that first season,
his defensive qualities and his crosses for Lee Chapman played a
crucial role in securing Leeds' first title in 18 years.
After a couple of years, although his skill level remained high we
did start to see a few injuries keeping him out for longer and longer
and from which he never seemed to fully recover. In 1995-96 we saw the
debut of Ian Harte, and although he had another run in the side in
96-97, Dorigo's days were more or less over at Leeds. He spent just
over a year with Torino before returning as a left-back/sweeper
for Derby for a couple of seasons, and recently moved on to play
for Stoke in summer 2000.
Luke Dorigo says: he's my dad and he was a great player in my
view!
Fabin Dorigo says: I'd like to know where are his family from. My
family name is Dorigo and my father was born in Udine, Italy.
Luke Dorigo says: Fabin Dorigo, my dad is half italian. My grandad
was born in Italy.
Dominic says: What does he do know? Does he still play or does he
do any sort of coaching?
Graham Hales says: "And Dorigo getting in there!" (Brian More,
1992). What a legend Tony was, my favourite player of all time. In
fact, I've just formed a new Sunday team called "Dinamo Dorigo" in his
honour. I hope that the great man is keeping well, and still "getting
in there" at every possible opportunity.
Jimmy Nicholls says: Unfortunately that's no compliment to the
great man as Graham is a chump and is possibly the worst football
player I've ever seen, in fact the opposite of Dorigo himself.
Khizar Jamil says: I have to admit that he's my favourite player of
all time as well. I've followed his career for ages and I'm actually
an Aston Villa fan but I try and keep track of what he's doing these
days. In fact, if you listen to Talk Sport you may hear him giving
his expert views on certain football related issues! What a great
player he was - shame he retired so early (end of the 2000/2001
season) when he still had a few years left in him. What a great guy
as well!
Steve Moss says: I met Tony at the Man City V TNS UEFA qualifier at
cities great new stadium (In the Datatend box). I spoke to Tony for
some time and thought what a great guy he was, he even cheared me on
to glory during an arm wrestle with a friend. Thanks for your support
Tony! FYI He is now doing some tele & radio work.
Dennis says: As a Leeds Utd fan when Tony was around i can honestly
say ive never seen a finer full back. Tony had blistering pace and
noone ever got past him through speed. It was disgusting when Stuart
Pearce stepped aside from England that he didnt take over. But Terry
Venables never liked the Australian and instead decided to pick his
bum boy Graeme Le Saux. Wherever you are Tony good luck and thanks for
the championship in 1992.
Superste says: Was he English? Was he Australian? Who cares he was
Yorkshire!! And he made it into my All time team! Well done Tone!!
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