19 September 2000 — 26 years ago today.
Leeds United 1–0 AC Milan
UEFA Champions League, Group H
Elland Road | Attendance: 35,398
One of those unforgettable European nights under the Elland Road floodlights.
With the game heading towards a draw, Lee Bowyer struck in the 88th minute from around 30 yards. The wet conditions played their part as Milan goalkeeper Dida couldn’t hold the shot, and somehow the ball found its way over the line.
Cue absolute bedlam! 
Managed by David O’Leary, we’d suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat away to Barcelona in our opening group game. This famous victory over Milan changed the mood completely and helped set us on our way to that memorable European campaign.
But for me, there’s another memory from that night that has stayed with me all these years.
Part of my role at the time was looking after visiting European teams when they were at Elland Road.
At Milan’s training session the previous evening, I did something I wouldn’t normally do. I asked the great Paolo Maldini if, after the game, I could have his autograph for my daughter, who absolutely idolised him.
He simply said, “Certainly.”
After the game on the Tuesday night, we were all absolutely ecstatic. The result had taken over everything, and I’d completely forgotten about my little request from the night before.
But Paolo Maldini hadn’t.
As gracious in defeat as he was throughout his incredible career, the great man came looking for me.
He remembered his promise.
That, for me, is the memory behind the memory.
A famous Leeds United victory, a magical European night… and a wonderful gesture from one of football’s true gentlemen.
Thank you, Paolo. I never forgot it.
MOT
