Diary of a Leeds Fan (21/3-26/3/16)

Monday 21/3

The cover of the yet to be released celebration DVD of Huddersfield Town's victory at Elland Road is undecided but it could well be this image to the right of Wagner celebrating their cup final win.

The planned open top bus parade was cancelled due to lack of interest. They don't do it a lot so we'll let them have their 'moment in the sun'.

Former Leeds United MD David Haigh has been acquitted of all charges relating to cyber crime. Haigh's UK spokesman says he's "absolutely delighted" and expects the British businessman back in the UK in 2-3 days. Surely now the ex-Leeds director has a case for improper imprisonment. GFH beware!

Noel Whelan was quite scathing with his comments in his column for the YEP, He said Leeds were very lucky not to be beaten by a heavier score and nobody, on or off the field came out of the game with any credit. 

Many Thanks to the YEP. For the full article of Noel Whelan please click here.

Last word on the weekend:

This result in normal circumstances would probably mean the end for some coaches; it was that bad! Most home fans, myself included, were very annoyed at the manner of the hammering. When he got it right I congratulated him but on Saturday, Evans got it totally wrong and the blame for the defeat is his. 

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Tuesday 22/3

Crystal Palace vs Leeds under21 game. Plenty of good chances, with both sides denied by the woodwork, but it ended goalless.

Latest on the 'Time to go Massimo' group'. 

Before the Reading game (16th April) we will be marching on Elland Road from the city centre; finishing in front of the East Stand for a sustained protest directly outside. Route details will be confirmed soon, but for now we will be setting off from the city shortly after 1pm. 

If you would like more information please use the link below. 
bit.ly/jointheprotest

*Just a note to say we are neither for or against the campaign. We just want a successful team on the field and stability off it.*


Wednesday 23/3

Pretty much all the talk yesterday and today was of rebellion inside the dressing room after the thrashing by Huddersfield, The daily snail reported that Cellino on Saturday was telling everybody within ear shot of El Presidente that Evans was to be sacked. 

Myself. I don't think Evans will last past his original contract date is due to expire. 

When asked today about the speculation about his tenure at the club Evans said: “I treat stories like that with the contempt they deserve. My only focus is on preparing the team for Rotherham.” The club, when asked declined to comment on the rumours. No surprise there !

Superb piece in the YEP tonight about the situation at Leeds;
Leeds United – Phil Hay: Fact - fans do NOT want their club to fail, click here.

Many Thanks to the YEP. 


Thursday 24/3
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Leeds have a 'Vieira' coming through the ranks, Ronaldo Vieira was the most impressive Leeds player on view in the recent under21 game with Crystal Palace. The youngster has been with Leeds since impressing on trial as a sixteen year old. 

He may be the latest from the Thorpe Arch academy to get a first team opportunity, sooner rather than later. He is expected to at least make the substitute bench in one of the remaining Championship games. 

The stakes have always been high at Elland Road, but next month individual poker players will have a chance to 'win big' in a poker tournament organised at the club. For just £77 you have a chance to put on your 'poker face' and battle the best in the region for a prize of £175,000!

The event takes place in the Centenary Pavilion on 9th and 10th of April.

On Sky Sports, Leeds owner Massimo Cellino says he is not looking to replace manager Steve Evans and will not make changes until the end of the season. Cellino told Sky Sports: “I’m a very sad man with the results this season but sometimes I’m not happy with my wife and I don’t divorce her so I’m certainly not looking to replace Steve Evans at the moment."

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This contradicts everything the majority of fans in earshot of him at the end of the game last Saturday. We do realise that the man can change his mind from day to day, who knows what he may say tomorrow.
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​Twenty years to the day since we played Aston Villa in the Coca Cola (League) Cup Final at Wembley (pictured left). A great day out but a forgettable result, Leeds lost 3-0 that day. 

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So sad the news of the sad passing of one of the greatest players to play the game. Johan Cruyff played for Ajax and Barcelona and was one of stars, if not the star of the 1974 World Cup Finals in West Germany. Many will remember his visit to Elland Road in 1975 in the European Cup semi final which I have wrote about, (please read).

His death, after a long battle with cancer will be mourned throughout the football world. 
He was sixty eight years old.  

Leeds drew 0-0 with Birmingham City in an under 21 game at Elland Road this afternoon. 

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Friday 25/3

Long time Leeds target Kyle Lafferty finally found a club willing to take him on loan till the end of the season, Birmingham City will hope the Northern Ireland international will improve their push for a playoff place. Leeds meet City on April 12th at St Andrews. 

According to a couple of the 'red tops' Leeds face a battle to keep Lewis Cook, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton heavily linked to the midfielder.

With another impressive season behind him, keeping him must be a priority to whoever is Head Coach. The club simple cannot let another Byram situation develop, even though he has more than twelve months left on the contract he signed last year.


Saturday 26/3

Former Leeds player Shaun Derry was caught on video abusing some rival fans, he tells them to "f#%k off and go home" adding that one fan was a "bag of s#%t". He must have been annoyed after Cambridge had lost 3-0 at Bristol Rovers. 

Mustapha Carayol scored his first goal for Gambia  on Friday in the 2-1 defeat to Mauritania. He ran the entire length of the field to score past the hosts goalkeeper, he should have given Gambia the lead when the scores were level, but it was ruled out and Mauritania went on to win the game with a late winner. 

See the goal. Many Thanks to To Ellandback.org

Ex-Leeds academy player Danny Rose started his first full England international vs Germany in the friendly in Berlin. A superb performance by England saw them come back from 2-0 down to claim a late 3-2 win, goals from Kane, Vardy and Dier. 

An interesting week, after a disastrous display against the small dogs down the valley. A couple of weeks rest will hopefully give the players an incentive to start another winning run, starting at 'Colin's' team Rotherham United. 

We need to finish this season on a positive note. 

M O T

By Keith Ingham