A trip with the lads and lasses to Wigan ‏

By Keith Ingham

Years gone by away trips by me were regular, I covered the length of England, not every ground but I did my bit supporting the Mighty Whites. But in life you do things like get married and have children that takes a lot of your hard earned money. That pastime wained but my support never did.

Back years past, Leeds had a supporters club run in Keighley run by 'Chipper' John Chapman and his wife Kate, they based in the Woolpack public house just off Halifax Road. They were great years and it was a well run club and the fans travelled throughout that wonderful 89/90 season ending with a trip to the seaside that we won Promotion but the celebrations were tempered by some fans behaviour. Not ours I must say.

I'm older and even though my visits are less, my passion or pride in following my club never has died. My wife Linda accepts this 'release' and she knows I still love going to games. This season I was determined to travel away so I purchased a Members card, even the promise of a free mucky gold and blue shirt didn't put me off !. Problem was that most of the games earlier in the year were far away and I couldn't go, it was only Bolton Wanderers away in January that I finally got to one and I was so glad I did, a fantastic group of people who like Leeds, beer and more beer but not a trouble maker amongst them. A great bunch of fans.

Last Saturday we stopped on the way to the game in Leyland, a place I'd not even heard of never mind visited. The Wetherspoon's we frequented I don't think had seen a busier morning. Stories of past games and thoughts of a difficult season were spoken by the merry men and women of the Keighley Whites. It felt like I was amongst 'family' even though I'd only met some of them maybe twice before.

We got to Wigan and to see Leeds' wherever you looked, made me proud to be part of a pleasure I took for granted years gone by. Yes it's different and more infrequent than I'd like but it's so good to be part of this wonderful 'army' that travel the length and width of this country.

All Leeds aren't we ! Yes and very proud of it too.

M O T

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