Interview with a Leeds fan: Ray King

By Andy Gregory

Name: Ray King

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I'm a 52 year old (18 in the head) die hard Leeds fan who has followed my team through thick and thin and always will. Even in the current lean years when we have had little hope I still get a feeling of electricity through my veins when at matches home and away.

How long have you supported Leeds?
Since around age 11, but particularly strongly over last 12 years after I left the forces and able to get to matches regularly.

What is your favourite memory?
In recent years the promotion from league 1 on the last day of the season at elland road (great atmosphere). Also Scum match away in the FA cup which I will never forget and had £10 on beckford 1 – o win @ 100 to 1 odds, so drew £1000 from a scum bookie (priceless taking it off him) and it paid for the following years season ticket – scum paid for every Leeds match that season!

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Favourite player past and present?
Past for me is Eddie Gray…. A magician who is still Leeds through and through and a real gentleman who I have had the pleasure to meet. Current is Sam Byram…that boy is class and will play for England for sure one day.

If you could bring one player from any era back to the club, who would it be?
 Radebe for me….never ever saw him have a bad game.

Best goal scored by a Leeds player?
All four scored by Mark Viduka against Liverpool in the 4 – 3 win at Elland Rd. Every goal was strikers instinct and brilliantly finished (you had to be there to appreciate it).

How would you sum up our season so far?
In truth it started only last week against Palace, initiated by the takeover news. The performance level of the previous 6 games in particular were awful and as bad as I can remember meaning like many
fans I felt empty and aimless. Based on all performances this season I still genuinely believe we can finish in top 6 at worst…look at Millwall in 4th position now and you know they are gonna finish 18th at best, so its up for grabs.

Which player has impressed you most this season?
Sam Byram, for such a young man he shows maturity above his years. Anyone also noticed his body strength and how often he clears corners with a powerful header. That takes some doing for an 18 year old against grown men. Our future is bright with him in the team 

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How would you describe our current team?
In last 2 matches very hungry and motivated, previous 6 very poor. Its too early to say but my instinct tells me we have a reasonable foundation now in the team and with new additions in January it's definitely showing signs of a strong team ethic.

What do you think of our two latest signing Alan Tate and Jerome Thomas?
In the 2  matches both have been very impressive and settled extremely well bearing in mind they have had little game time. We finally have an outlet now in Jerome Thomas to take the pressure off our back line. Tate just seems to read the game so well.

Who would you like to see us sign in January?
Craig Mackail-Smith, George Boyd, Eric Lichaj, Matt Kilgallon

Where do you think we will finish this season?
Champions, hope so – got a £50 bet on it!

What's your view on Neil Warnock’s time at Leeds so far?
I like the guy and believe he can take us up either this year or next depending on extending his contract. The football has been average at times if honest but then he pulls in 2 new players and we start playing entertaining attacking football. Just hope it lasts and we now climb the league.

Which game are you most looking forward to this season?
Chelsea should be fun for the fans! In the league really looking forward to going to Uddersfield on Saturday.  Be a great atmosphere as it’s the only game Uddersfield fans turn up for, even though they still never fill their end of the ground – we will be sold out as usual.

We’ve just had two fantastic results against Crystal Palace and Leicester, do you think we can keep this current run of form going?
In a word yes. The players all now look motivated and hungry again and I have to put it mainly to the takeover saga sorted.

Score prediction for the Huddersfield and Derby games?
Leeds 2 –0 win v Uddersfield and 2 – 1 win v Derby

What team would you put out on Saturday?
Unchanged except I would bring in McCormack, resting El Hadji Diouf but bringing him on for last half hour to seal the win.

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes, can we stop asking biffs to do the half time goal shoot out competition….it seems we only get volunteer fans out of the stands who have never played football! Embarrassing when they kick a ball
towards the goal and fall over or kick it like a girl. Any biff fans should be punished by having to attend a match at Uuddersfield or Barnsley who we all know are not the most exciting teams, nor are their fans?

Last point, attendances are currently very poor but I am optimistic its about to change… the atmosphere is coming back and the fans who do attend are making fantastic noise levels again. I understand reasons some have left but you know your gonna come back ….its what makes us Leeds fans. Do it now and enjoy the ride.

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Thanks to Ray for taking part in this weeks interview. If you would be interested doing an interview, or would like to find out about other ways you can be involved with our site, then check out our "Have your say" page to find out how...  MOT

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