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Fiona Kyle

Kalvin Phillips was as starstruck as every other Leeds United fan when he met Lucas Radebe last week

Over the course of the last week, hundreds of Leeds United fans have had the chance to get up close and personal with their Leeds United heroes as part of the centenary celebrations.

On Friday one fan met his hero, former Leeds United defender Lucas Radebe, at a hotel and asked to have his photograph taken with him. That fan just happened to be Kalvin Phillips.

"I was at the hotel early yesterday because I was ill, but I was lucky enough to meet Lucas Radebe downstairs and I asked him for photo and he said 'are you sure you want a photo?' and I was like 'yeah.'

"So I was very happy with seeing Lucas, I've seen Jermaine Beckford and Becchio. They're players I grew up watching. I used to sit in the Kop end watching them score goals. It was kind of surreal really.

"But I'm very happy that I got the goal today and I'm glad that they were cheering me on as well."

Saturday was a day to remember for Kalvin Phillips (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)

Phillips admitted he had been disappointed to miss out on Thursday's centenary celebrations through illness.

"I was gutted to be fair," he said. "I wanted to be there, I wanted to meet all the players I had been watching from when I was younger."

"I loved so many players. I loved Mark Viduka, Alan Smith. Obviously Jermaine, Becchio, Snodgrass, Jonny Howson. I loved all those players. I used to come every week and watch them, I think when I see them or play against them I'm a bit starstruck really.

"I don't know what to say them, I don't know what they're going to say to me but they're very nice people, very humble. Just like me and we get on very well."

And what does he think about the idea he might be considered as a Leeds United legend one day?

"Yeah, hopefully. I'd love that. But ultimately we've got a big challenge ahead. It's not there yet, but hopefully we'll get there in the future."

Visit our dedicated Leeds United page for the latest news, views and analysis from Elland Road.

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