Your reading a pre 2010-11 archived article
The latest in our series of occasional contributors, lifelong Leeds United fan James Ellis explains why 35 years on from his first game he hasn’t got a membership card this season.
I distinctly remember the day I first became a real Leeds United fan. February 19, 1974. Leeds United vs Bristol City, FA Cup Fifth Round replay, Elland Road. I was six years and 18 days old. I’d seen them on the telly before that day. Vague memories of THAT defeat to Sunderland, Match of the Day, interviews on Look North or Calander. I knew they were the best team in the country and I liked seeing them but I was too young to be a real fan.
Living in a small mining town outside Rotherham we had no obvious reasons for affinity with Leeds United other than the fact dad liked the way Don Revie had moulded the team over the years. Dad was a Yorkshireman first and a football fan second so before that game against Bristol City we went to see every team in the county. Hillsborough, Brammal Lane, Milmoor, Oakwell, Valley Parade… we went round them all. And when I finally got to see the biggest and the best, he told me I was going to have to make a choice.
That cold, bitter, February day we were in the Kop, two whole decades before all-seaters came in. I was on dad’s shoulders, the air redolent with expectation as a flame haired Billy led the team out and ER went mad. This was the champions elect, sweeping their way to the title, against lower league opposition with and FA Cup that was wide open with only really Liverpool to fear. A famous double was definitely on the cards. The final score for those not old enough to remember? We lost. 0-1. To.Bristol. Bloody. City. February 19, 1974. Leeds United vs Bristol City, FACup Fifth Round replay, Elland Road. I was six years and 18 days old – my first down before I’d even had a real up. But my choice was made.
Why is this all relevant? Well this year’s winning start of seven from seven is the best since the start of that season in 1973-74, so I’ve waited 36 years for us to begin a season as well as my first one. And since that first season, like every other football fan, I’ve greeted the coming of May with all the welcome of a family funeral. Two months without football – I don’t count World Cups and Uefa Championships, I’m Leeds first, England a very distinct second – is often more than I can bar until the treadmill starts to kick in again. Players leave, new arrive, a clean slate, another set of games to win, more optimism… the year when we finally get it right and begin to fulfil our destiny as Champions of Europe… And when it all goes wrong? Well the middle of May soon comes back and then it’s just two boring months pretending to like other sports like tennis and cricket before it all starts again.
This year though, I feel different and I am not sure why. This season, the excitement has fizzled. Our best player has left, we’ve got a couple of new ones who seem to maybe be a little bit better than a couple of the old oneswe let go and we’ve spent most of the summer once again talking about events off the field – court cases instead of football. And it all leaves me a bit nonplussed. Don’t get me wrong. I quite like Simon Grayson, I think he’s a decent enough manager and we should really have enough quality to get out of this league (though I did say that last season and the season before).
Am I bored of lower league football? I don’t think so. In fact, I get to more games now than I have in years. When we were back in the Prem, work commitments and the number of glory hunters would restrict my appearances at Leeds United games to a couple of home and the south-east away games. Yet since we dropped, I’ve been making the ER pilgrimage 10-15 times aseason, determined to show my support through the bad times. And to be honest, I’ve enjoyed some of the football – it may not be flowing with silky skills but at least it largely played by men who are honest enough to know their limitations and enthusiastic enough to play because they love the game and aren’t looking for the next product to endorse.
Admittedly, I’m up to here with the chairman (you can’t see but my hand is hovering just under my chin). I’m fed up with the court cases and the fibs and the confused messages and the hotel plans and the shyster-like shenanigans. But I’m even tired of all that – I hate the way he divides the fans and I hate the amount of time we spend, pro and anti Bates arguing about it and so I’d rather not give him the satisfaction. What I am certain of is that I will not be getting a members/away card thisseason. I contribute via my subscription to Yorkshire Radio (despite the service on Apple Macs still being appalling) and I will still go to games at ER when I can. But I can’t see the point in paying £30 for the privilege of not being able to get into away grounds thanks to the small allocations in this league.
The Members Pavilion I have no use for; Leeds Leeds Leeds (if it’s still part of the package) had degenerated into a mouthpiece for the club that rivals the programme and I can do without the cheap badges which are apparently part of this seasons’ goodies. The Holy Grail I suppose for anyone else who may be thinking of not joining is a possible appearance at Wembley in the play offs. Well the last two times we’ve had more reminders, plugs, late deals and extra times than absolutely necessary, so if needed, I’ll just stump up come April. But with a start like this, automatic promotion has to be assured. Hang on.I’m sure I said that last season and the one before that.
