Leeds United Premier League heroes set for emotional Elland Road reunion - YEP 6/2/22
Dominic Matteo's wife recently read back to him the messages of support he received after his brain tumour diagnosis and former Leeds United team-mate Mark Viduka was among them.
By Graham Smyth
In November 2019 the ex Liverpool, Leeds and Scotland
defender was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary for brain surgery and a
subsequent heavy dose of ‘radiotherapy.
In April 2020 he was given the all-clear, although he still
has to have his brain scanned and admits he can never plan too far ahead
because he doesn't know what's around the corner.
Living with a level of uncertainty gives any plans he can
put together extra importance and he has something special lined up for next
month.
On March 11 Elland Road's Pavilion will play host to a
fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity and Ahead of the Game Foundation, when
Matteo will be reunited with 'brilliant' ex team-mate and friend Viduka.
"Mark and I have always kept in touch, there's a few of
us including Gary Kelly, Eirik Bakke and Olivier Dacourt and we keep an eye on
each other, there's the odd WhatsApp message that'll come in," Matteo told
the YEP.
"When I sat down with Leeds and Soccer Speaker to think
about who would want to help do a fundraiser and who fans would want to see,
Mark was the first name that came to mind.
"I got in touch and straightaway he said he wanted to
help, so I'm really grateful. Someone as pivotal as Mark doing this means the
world - what a player, what a goalscorer and probably one of the best I played
with. He scored some belters and was responsible for some iconic moments - not
many score four against Liverpool."
According to Matteo, Viduka was a laid-back,
family-orientated character who accompanied his team-mates on their big nights
out but didn't go in for the drinking sessions and always drove himself home.
"That was his style," said Matteo.
"He was really funny and I'm hoping people will see
that. He's a bit like David Batty in that he has a little bit of mystery about
him - when was the last time Leeds fans really heard from Mark Viduka?"
Matteo heard from his pal when it really mattered, back in
2019, which makes next month's event a special reunion.
"My wife was reading back to me all the messages I
received quite recently and it made me realise how lucky I am, it was quite an
emotional moment," he told the YEP.
"Mark was one of them.
"This night is another motivational thing for me. I'm
back working at Leeds a couple of times a week and that's been amazing, talking
about football and talking to players, it's really helped me.
"I can never plan too far - I've got scans coming up
again soon and I hope they'll be fine - but planning this event helps motivate
me.
"On the night I'll share a little bit about where I'm
up to and then I'll leave it to Mark and his stories. It's about him giving the
fans something special again."
Matteo's hope is that as well as generating funds for
worthwhile causes, the event will help inform people about the illness he lives
with.
"There's not enough awareness or knowledge about
it," he said.
"I got my hair cut today and spoke to a guy who lost
his brother to a brain tumour, it's more prevalent than you'd think.
"When you're living in it, you see it all the time.
"Hopefully everyone will have a great night, enjoy
themselves and we'll raise money and awareness.
"If anyone can support this great cause, it will
help."
