Today is the 100th anniversary of the founding of Leeds United and former stars Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio and Ian Harte are among the many to have sent messages honouring both the club and the fans.

To celebrate the centenary there are events planned across the city today and ahead of the game on Saturday, while fans, former players and those currently involved with the club have sent celebratory messages today.

Among those is ex-striker Beckford, who scored 87 goals in 147 appearances for the club between 2006 and 2010–with perhaps his most famous coming in the 1-0 FA Cup win against rivals Manchester United in 2010.

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Harte, a defender who joined the Yorkshire club in 1995 and made 266 appearances for the Whites before leaving to join Spanish side Levante in 2004, also posted a message on Instagram.

Argentina forward Becchio arrived at Elland Road on a free transfer in 2008 and found the net 86 times in 219 appearances for the Whites.

The 32-year-old, who has made the trip to Leeds for the celebrations, also honoured the club via his Instagram story.

The Verdict

Leeds appear to inspire a special dedication and long-lasting affection in many of its ex-players and the messages of Beckford, Becchio, and Harte are further proof of that.

A large part of that is likely the passionate fanbase and it is great to see Harte honouring them as well as the club itself.

You feel there would be no better way to celebrate the centenary than to achieve promotion back to the Premier League this season and with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, Leeds look well set to mount a serious push to do just that.

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