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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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