 Keith Ingham spoke to Charlton fan Jim Howard ahead of Saturday's clash at Elland Road, in what could be a game marred with protests from both clubs fans about their current Owners.
How long have you supported Charlton? I've been supporting Charlton Athletic since the 1978/79 season. My first game was against Colchester Utd in the league cup, it was a 0-0 draw. Who was your favourite player? I've had many favourite players over the years from different eras. My first favourite player was Derek "killer" Hales. What was your first Charlton vs Leeds fixture? The first game I ever recall a Charlton v Leeds match must have been at Selhurst Park in 1986 where Charlton won 4-0 and went on to finish the season as runners up behind Norwich City. What is the most memorable match between us? The most memorable match against Leeds must be the 1987 play off final replay at St Andrews where two late Peter Shirtliff goals in extra time secured Charltons top flight status and perhaps the clubs whole existence. Jim, it's strange that our last home game of the season is against another club blighted by a worst, publicity wise owner than ourselves. What has it been like this season? It's been the worst season I can ever remember in all the years I've supported Charlton and it's all down to the poor running of the club by our current owners . They purchased the club in the 2013/14 season and almost immediately sold the clubs best players, replaced them with players unsuitable for the Championship and then after two months sacked the manager, club legend Chris Powell. Not only this, lots of back room staff have left too such as the chief scout, (who most probably got fed up with not being listened to?), goalkeeping coach, head of communications (after a disastrous statement on the club website by the owner), the list goes on! As fans we feel the heart of the club has been ripped out by this ownership and as we slid closer to relegation the CEO went off on holiday to Dubai. Do they really care? I personally feel that this ownership hasn't got a clue about English football, its history and the community and absolutely no respect for its fans. We've even been called customers and weird by the CEO. Now that relegation is certain, do you think your best players will depart? I can't see any of our decent players wanting to stay especially the way our current owners operate. They will be sold off only to be replaced by players not good enough for league one. The demonstrations must be worrying, especially after the weekends latest when the Directors box was attacked, or was that the media making it out that it was worse than it actually was? I feel we as fans we need to keep up the protests, I don't see why we should just sit back and watch the club die. As long as the protests are non violent and well organised we must keep up the pressure. As for the fans that confronted the directors box I don't think anyone was physically hurt but you must understand that passions are running very high at the moment. Your hopes for 2016/17. Instant promotion or do you fear relegation again? I do fear for the club at the moment and if the situation doesn't change we could well get relegated again. The only way this is going to change is if the owners sell up. I've never seen this club so separated from its fans. So, yes a double dip could be on the cards. I hope I'm wrong . Who should we worry about on Saturday? Johann Berg Gudmundsson or youngster Ademola Lookman. What's your prediction for Saturday? With Leeds nothing to play for and Charlton already down I'm predicting a 1-1 draw. Thank you to Jim for taking the time to answer our questions and we wish the best for all Charlton fans as they continue to stand up to an owner who does not care about his club or their fans. By Keith Ingham
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 Sunday 17/4 Lewis Cook won Young Player of the Year in the Football League Awards 2016 gala in Manchester. He beat Moussa Dembele and Walsall’s Rico Henry to win the award, the last winner was Dele Alli. A fantastic award for the midfielder and credit must go to the staff of the academy at Leeds United, including the recently departed Neil Redfearn and Lucy Ward. He is the future Leeds need to build around.  Well done Lewis! Monday 18/4 To see what fans thought from Saturday's time to go Massimo march on Elland Road, click the link below. http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/something-seriously-wrong-what-you-thought-of-saturday-s-leeds-united-protest-march-1-7858724 Many Thanks to the Yorkshire Post. Steve Evans presser: If he is at the club there will be promotion challenge next season, refusing to make much of Cellino's comments in Telegraph, claimed Cellino is "entitled to his opinion." Indicated that he would not be aggrieved but disappointed if he was replaced as coach, he will have 'other options' if replaced but is planning for player recruitment at Leeds in the summer, illness still in the camp, Bamba and Adeyemi now fit and Bridcutt could feature versus Wolves tomorrow. Jovial, if matter-of-fact Mr Evans. Leeds Under 21 's drew 1-1 with Colchester in a game at Thorpe Arch. Jack McKay with the Leeds goal from the penalty spot, Colchester equalised late in the game. Tuesday 19/4 Cellino may face an investigation of claims brought about by the Lucy Ward dismissal case, so it was reported this morning. Nothing can be done until after June 10th when a decision on the financial side of her judgement will be decided. FA rules states that for anyone 'engaging in discriminatory abuse' the sanction will be a mandatory minimum five match suspension in all cases – this sanction may be increased depending on the specific facts of any case. An FA spokesman said of the Ward case; "We can confirm we have contacted Lucy's legal people to discuss looking into the case. An investigation will begin in due course." Buy a season ticket and get up to 50% back if the club fails to reach the playoffs in 2016/17. Surprisingly this is the offer made to season ticket holders today. If you renew by May 31st 2016 you would be entitled to a 25% refund of the season ticket price paid, this could rise to 50% if the amount of season tickets sold exceeds 15,000 by July 31. The price for the 2016/17 season ticket also remains the same as 2015/16.  Hopefully ambition on the field and sense off it too.
Leeds v Wolves Match Day: Steve Evans made three changes to the side that beat Reading 3-2 on Saturday, in came Bamba, Coyne and Erwin for Bellusci, Dallas and Antenucci who dropped to the substitutes bench.  On Tuesday I headed towards Elland Road after minimal sleep and a full days shift; fully expecting Leeds to not brighten my mood. On the contrary, the night was quite beautiful and Leeds took Wolves to the sword and for once didn't die by their own hand. After a lengthy chat with Phil Hay about where Leeds go from here and the interesting news of who Evans had selected prior to the match, I was stumbling up the stairs to my allocated seat. The best bit about this wonderful opportunity to sit with the press has to be the view, your dead centre and have the perfect angle to see all of the action.  The bonus of stewards not telling you to sit down straight after a goal is also quite magnificent. Evans surprised quite a few by playing a 4-2-3-1 with Erwin and Coyle providing the width in the team. I thought Erwin had a fantastic first start for the club, seeming composed and always looking forward when the ball was with his feet. Coyle however, didn't seem comfortable in his more forward role, he'd constantly lost his man Jeremy Helan on the left and gave Berardi a few issues to handle. Going forward he did look like a threat and you can see he's advancing, he just needs to return to his natural right back position. Stand out players for me were Lewis Cook, who was fresh from winning the Championship Young Player of the Year award and brimming with confidence. Chris Wood also had a good game constantly being a thorn in Wolves side, he did miss a lot of glorious opportunities though. I also thought Stuart Dallas made a fantastic contribution when he replaced Coyle, having a fantastic assist for Dave's well finished goal. A special mention to skipper Sol Bamba, who scored what an only desribed as a 'What the F***' goals from the edge of the area, a phrase I actually used when the ball hit the top left corner.   I had the chance to speak to good friend and Hull City fan Jordan Marsh about tomorrow's fixture away at the KC, here's what he had to say.
What made you choose Hull City? Someone has to support them! haha. Nah, my dad and his side of the family are all from there. How long have you been a Tiger? Since i was 9 years old, which was when i first went and watched them. What's your first memory as a Hull fan? My first ever game, it was my ninth birthday and the last ever game to be played at Boothferry Park, we lost 1-0 to Darlington. I can't remember much of the game but at end of the match everyone went on the pitch, I'll never forget that! Who are your all time favourite Hull players? As a kid I liked Jason Price simply because he had an afro. Dean Windass as he is a club legend, scoring THAT goal at Wembley. Can't forget our greatest ever captain, Ian Ashbee, only man ever to captain a team from the bottom division to the top! Who is your danger man? Got to be Abel Hernandez, you're guaranteed a goal if he plays. Do you have a favourite game vs Leeds? The 2012-13 season where we went up second. We beat you 2-0 at our place, I've never seen us dominate a game so easily! Warnock described it as men v boys. Is there any Leeds player you'd like to sign? Lewis Cook just got football leagues young player of the year didnt he? We'll give you Alex Bruce back for him... What do you think of your owners? I'll stop myself from swearing, but these two are a pair of clowns, know nothing about how to run a football club and dont care about the fans! Would you prefer to have Massimo Cellino? Christ i know our owners aren't great but yours is just crazy! I'll stick with the Allams (just) as they have backed us financially. What are your hopes for the 16/17 season? Depends where we are! If we are promoted then I hope we avoid the drop comfortably, if we are still in the Championship then who knows? I'd hope we'd keep Steve Bruce and majority of the better players but I don't see that happening unfortunately. What's your prediction for tomorrow? Depends what kind of team will turn up. We've been going through a dodgey spell but picked up form with back to back wins.. I'll go for a 2 -1 win, snodgrass to score the winner. Big thanks to Jordan for getting involved and taking the time to answer our questions, hopefully he's wrong about the result! By Ryan Ingham  We continue our feature 'My First Game' with Neville Whittingham, a Leeds fan for over 40 years.
My first Leeds game was against Aston Villa on 11th December 1976 (my12th birthday). Leeds lost 3-1, David McNiven scored for us and Andy Gray (whatever happened to him?) scored 2 for them. I can't remember much about the game, but I do remember the goal popping up on a video years later. '100 of the Greatest Leeds Goals'. It was memorable because, the week before, my parents announced I wasn't going to school one day because my dad had arranged to go and watch Leeds train at Fullerton Park and I was going to meet the players. Wow!! (You'd be fined for doing that now). The day was a bit of a disappointment as the training session was cancelled due to snow and only 4 players turned up, Frank Gray, Gordon McQueen, Paul Reeney and club captain, Trevor Cherry. I got their autographs and Trevor generously offered to take the book and get all the players to autograph it the following week, which he did. I was going to the game with my dad, also, called Neville, now sadly departed. His workmate, Bob, who was a regular, knew the ropes. As it turned out, one of my mates got me a cracking birthday (Scrabble!) present so, as a treat, my dad gave up his ticket for him so he could go instead with me. I didn't go to another game until 1980 when I started going with my mates on the train, 50p for a Day Rover, 50p for the Boys' Pen, a cheap day out. I got my first season ticket in 1981and have had one every year since. Plenty of ups and downs, unfortunately, more downs than ups of late. MOT By Neville Whittingham If you'd like to tell us your first game as a Leeds fan, or even your first memory of our great club, get in touch via the contact us page and your story could be up here next week!  Head of Content Keith Ingham stood loud and proud along with several hundred supporters as they marched on Elland Road for Saturday's fixture against Reading, here's what he had to say.
I'd set my mind on going on the march when it was first mentioned. Rather to add my support or just because I was intrigued to see who actually turned up, I had to go. Although I arrived late, I joined the thousand strong to commute on foot to my spiritual home, Elland Road. I met Graeme from Bramley, a fan for over forty years. He's seen the good times and the recent bad ones too, but his love for this club has not diminished, even though he finds walking unaided hard. He usually needs a waking stick but today he walked with me and we chatted on what he thinks is wrong with what is happening at the club and why he was putting himself through pain to do it. His first game was one of the biggest disappointments the club has had, the 1973 FA Cup Final versus Sunderland at Wembley with his Dad. But even after Bob Stokoe's men had triumphed he wanted more, his love of the club had started and ever since he goes to as many games as he can. Even though his argument is that, in his own words; "he's sick of the shit that goes on" and the way Cellino is running the club. In those few sentences you realise that 'being Leeds' isn't something that is going to be easy, as our song goes it has its 'ups and downs'. Yet season after season the belief is still strong, even if what we see on the pitch continually hardly complements it. To see brothers, sisters and children walk the walk when our owner can only talk the talk makes me believe there is a future for this club we love. It may take a change of ownership, but eventually we will see the promised land. I felt proud to be with Graeme and the rest of those fans. I was too far back to see the reception the march received, but I heard it was a positive one, hands were clapped, thumbs were raised and voices outside the East Stand raised too. "Support the team, Cellino out" was voiced and as we dispersed to oil our throats in the Old Peacock I realised that if you agreed with it or not, it cannot and will not be ignored. Twenty thousand attended the Reading game and that means 1/20 voiced concern on where this club is going. It's not massive, but it's a growing body that is willing to try and get this wonderful club back to basics and for Cellino to realise these fans cannot, should not and definitely will not be ignored. Saturday made me again proud to be Leeds United. MOT By Keith Ingham  Monday 11/4 Charlton beat Leeds 1-0 in a under 21 game at The Valley. The commission that metered out the lengthy eight game ban has revealed that Doukara had failed to 'present well as a witness' or offer a 'credible explanation' for Amorebieta’s injuries. They added that; "He gave no credible explanation as to how the injury to Mr Amorebieta had occurred if it had not been from a bite from himself." Neither United nor Doukara have made any extended comment since his ban was announced by the FA on March 31st. Leeds said they would delay a full response until after they received the commission’s written judgement. When asked for a comment Leeds did not respond, again! Tuesday 12/4 Lucy Ward gave evidence yesterday at the hearing in Leeds where she claims she was unfairly sexually discriminated and dismissed by Leeds United. The report of the first day is provided by the independent: see here. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-united-news-massimo-cellino-lucy-ward-sacked-me-because-manager-and-i-were-a-pair-a6978831.html Many Thanks to the independent.  Neil Redfearn with Lucy Ward attending court. At the second day of Lucy Ward's tribunal there was mention of an alleged meeting of Cellino with Gary Cooper and in it he (Cellino) said about women having no place in football and stated; “Why do women want to play football? Football is no place for women. They should be in the bedroom or beauticians.” It sums up just what a football dinosaur he really is. Happy Birthday 'Chief'  Birmingham City v Leeds Match Day: Steve Evans made one change to the team beaten by Burnley on Saturday. Mirco Antenucci replacing Mustapha Carayol. Teams Birmingham City Legzdins, Caddis, Morrison, Shotton, Grounds, Gleeson, Davis, Donaldson, Lafferty, Cotterill, Kieftenbeld Subs Kuszczak, Fabbrini, Vaughan, Solomon-Otabor, Maghoma, Toral, Spector Leeds United Silvestri, Berardi, Bamba, Cooper, Taylor, Diagouraga, Murphy, Cook, Dallas, Antenucci, Wood Subs Peacock-Farrell, Coyle, Bellusci, Adeyemi, Phillips, Mowatt, Carayol The Match... Two goals by Stuart Dallas gave Leeds their first win in five Championship games. Although Birmingham scored soon after Dallas' stunning second, Leeds hung on for the three points. The defence marshalled by Bamba and Cooper were aided by some quality goalkeeping when needed by Silvestri. Leeds deserved the victory for dominating the game for fifty plus minutes. Surely now we can start to plan for next season, it can only get better, Can't it?   Head of Content spoke with Wolves fan Tony Stevens about tomorrow's fixture at Elland Road.
Why did you choose Wolves? I was born, raised and lived in Wolverhampton til I was 21. My Dad suffered a brain haemorrhage when I was around 7 years old and my brother in law,who was and still is a massive Wolves fan took me under his wing and introduced me to Molineux initially watching reserve team football. Good job it wasn't my other sister's boyfriend cos I could've become a "Baggie" . .God forbid lol So been a fan for over 50 years What's your first memory as a Wolves fan? Crikey first memory... Standing on the old South Bank in a near empty stadium watching a winger called Paddy Buckley thinking he was good, to be told "wait til you get to watch a First Team game and get to see Dave "Waggy" Wagstaffe!" Who are your favourite Wolves players? So many... Waggy, Mike Bailey, John Richards ,Francis, Munro, Derek Parkin, Kenny Hibbitt and "The Doog" and the immensely talented Peter Knowles. Then latterly Andy Gray and later still the inimitable Steven George Bull! Who is your danger man? Unfortunately some of our more exciting players; Dicko, Zyro, and Graham are injured and Mason and Le Fondre are struggling. Maybe Henry or Saville or a fit Dave Edwards could cause you the odd problem. Do you remember any memorable past meetings? Of course I do painfully enough on one occasion. The F.A. Cup Semi Final at Maine Road where I believed we deserved to win/ get a replay but "The Ginger Whinger" had other ideas! Lol. And of course 'That game at Molineux' when we prevented you doing the Double Most memorable recent game was last season's 4-3 win at Molineux but if I'm allowed to go a little further back our 1-0 win at Elland Road in The F.A.Cup 6th Round thanks to Don Goodman's goal (now that was an afro lol) and Jimmy's saved penalty! Who is your favourite Leeds Player? I have to admit when I was around 10 years old my Old Gold and Black loyalty wobbled a bit and Leeds were my second team (I even had an all white strip). I had alot of respect for Don Revie's team, particularly Peter Lorimer, Jonny Giles and Paul Madeley. But have to say my favourite in later years was the awesome Lucas Radebe, closely followed by Nigel Martyn and Harry Kewell. Any current players you'd like to sign? I'd probably agree with others on Cook or Mowatt. What are your hopes for 2016/2017? Would dearly love another Sir Jack Hayward to step up to the plate and buy the Club but alas he was one in a trillion! I think Kenny Jackett has taken us as far as he can tbh, although had we have kept Sako, Afobe and had not lost Dicko to injury who knows what we might have done. We certainly over achieved in 2014/15 and that raised expectations far too high Imo. We have some exciting youngsters some of whom have already broken into the first team and some are knocking on the door so the potential is there. But you know as well as me that every team needs at least one prolific goal scorer or 2 or 3 midfield players to chip in and contribute. So mid table again I'm afraid. What's your prediction for the game? 1-1 Mowatt and Henry the scorers We'd like to thank family friend Tony for getting involved and wish him and Wolves the best of luck for next season. We can all agree that having Wolves and Leeds back in the Premier League would be a wonderful site. By Keith Ingham |
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