By Rob AtkinsonI've read a couple of articles quite recently, both decently-written and making some good points - but both leaving me despairing over the massively negative attitude current among a certain section of Leeds "support". The tendency, in fact is not only massively negative, it's eagerly, loudly, brassily negative. It embraces negativity and holds it close like it never wants to let it go. It's the very antithesis of what support should be all about. It's defeatism in its most depressing and demoralising form; if these articles had been written in wartime, they may very well have been taken out and shot.
The common theme of course, hammered home with relish and supportive statistics, is that We Are Not A Big Club Anymore. The people saying this say it passionately and with conviction. Not only do they wish to believe that Leeds aren't a big club, the very idea that some fans may not believe this clearly upsets and offends them. They crop up everywhere, spreading their message of gloom and churning out invidious comparisons by the bucketload. They're becoming an effective voice wherever fans gather together to discuss matters Leeds. In fact there's only one real problem with their whole campaign. It's bollocks. The fact of the matter is, no club is bigger or smaller than its fanbase, its potential for support. A very reliable gauge of this is freely available in these tech-savvy days we live in. It's what is nattily called "online presence". Give your mouse some exercise and find out for yourself - if you don't already know. In cyberworld, second division, under-achieving, out-spent and unregarded Leeds United are absolutely HUGE. This is the best barometer you could wish for of the measure of passion out there, the incredible hunger and thirst for any morsel of news, any topic of debate about the Mighty Whites of LS11. They're out there, right now, all over the globe. They're clicking away at their computer terminals reading and digesting, or they're writing in dozens of languages about Leeds past, present and future. Our great days on the field are an increasingly distant memory, and a large proportion of the match-day support of a decade ago are marginalised and priced out of actual engagement with the match-going experience. But around the globe, in the ether, over the airwaves and most importantly inside the heads of millions of fanatics, Leeds United are top four, a phenomenon. So, why this overweening eagerness to paint us as a small club? Is it the tiresome need of social writers to dress themselves up as that bit different? You know - slightly windswept and interesting, with that world-weary air of cynicism etching attractive lines into their fashionably-troubled yet intellectual brows. It's odd. Any real pretensions to cool tend to be dissipated by the unseemly scramble to out-do each other in the negativity stakes, and they're usually followed by eager-beaver starry-eyed acolytes who wish to attach themselves to any view that doesn't qualify as mainstream. Perhaps that's the answer - are we dealing with an online football-flavoured brand of snob obscurantism? I'm not advocating the other pole of this issue, by the way. That worryingly Freudian habit of a certain Franchise's fans to shout from the virtual rooftops about how they're the biggest, the best and totally huge and wonderful throughout the world and Universe. I'll mention no names here, but the initials are Man U. I'd be even more concerned if our collective attitude was as deluded as that, not least because - in the case of our acquaintances from over the hills - their Devon and Cornwall based support have made of themselves a laughing-stock with such wishful thinking. Certainly in Barcelona and Madrid, and in various other centres of realism too, not excluding Beeston. No, all I want is for certain people to remember the basic meaning of the word "support". It does not include the peddling of negative thinking, nor does it encompass unhelpful and misleading assertions regarding comparisons with such giants as Norwich City and Reading FC. All of this is willful and groundless cant, calculated to spread misery and crush hope. Support is about identifying yourself with the club you love, and spreading the word to those less fortunate who have not seen the light. It's about getting the shoulder behind the momentum of a fresh start and being prepared to back it all the way, in the face of the withering carpings of naysayers as and when necessary. Support is an overwhelmingly positive thing, and it needs to espouse and reflect positivity in everything it does. Criticism is part of this, we are not a massive band of yes-men. But criticism can be couched in positive terms too - this will not do for Leeds United, we can say of Bates, or the transfer policy, or anything else we're unhappy with. It will not do because We Are Leeds, and we demand better. We can be critical, but it's our duty to be biased, and to talk the club up. Spreading alarm and despondency is not needed, not helpful, not to be embraced. Support your club, because you're a supporter. We Are Leeds, and we're the best.
30 Comments
Mark
28/4/2013 11:45:53 pm
What a great article - thank you. Well said. Yes, we all like a moan on times, but most of it is a celebration of black humour. Its the little things, the going into a town here, or abroad, and seeing a leeds shirt being worn - things like that remind me what a fantastic fanbase we have. If / When we get back to the big time, then i think it will truly shock people the support we have. By the way, very excited for next season, and cant wait to see what BM has up his sleeve player wise!
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Steve
29/4/2013 12:06:24 am
One bloke upon hearing that Leeds vs Watford and Hull vs Cardiff were going to be shown live on Sky at the same time, said that he would probably watch Hull! What a fan!
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JDC
29/4/2013 12:27:40 am
He's clearly not a true Leeds fan Steve ... his loss but when the good times do come back, and they will, he'll probably be telling everybody how long he's been "a Leeds United fan.
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Adam
29/4/2013 12:08:14 am
A lot of fans have been left disappointed by Leeds recently. Personally, I am waiting for the summer to see what happens. Saying Leeds United aren't a big club either is just tosh. We're the only football club in one of the largest cities in the UK. Second-tier or not, we're still a big club.
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Brian Wakefield
29/4/2013 12:14:51 am
Well written and a breath of fresh air. Of course we should be critical, thats one of the benefits we pay our hard earned cash for, however to some this seems to give licence to condem everything Leeds United do. I am a season ticket holder and have been for many years and, of course, I have been has upset as any Leeds fan, but I would never, ever boo a player as now seems to be the norm ie when Michael Brown came on v Brighton, some 'fans' started to chant 'off off' It is a sad thing to listen to and only makes the other team smile as we hit the self destruct button. We are Leeds and we don't do that, or we didn't until certain so called 'fans representatives' revelled in their own importance and encouraged it. Come on Leeds fans, stop it now and lets look forward to next season and create the kind of atmosphere that lifts our team, we are famous the world over for our passion; alas I feel that some, for whatever reason, seek to destroy this along with our unique club. MOT always
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woodhouse white
29/4/2013 12:29:12 am
Indeed, I generally have to skip past the comments section as the opinions expressed are normally so negative - (a bit like this one probably!) But yes, something has to change, as a group we're probably a bit spoiled and too focussed on the big time rather than just accepting where we are as a club and even where we were 1, 2 or 3 years ago. We should definitely sort the singing of MOT out too! At the moment this iconic song is being sung terribly by people too keen to bypass the finer points, desperate to get it over and done with without savouring what it's all about; a bit like the support in general it would appear.
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king sniffer
29/4/2013 12:36:16 am
Couldn't agree more Rob. Great article written from the heart. MOT
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agree and disagree here we are not a premiership club with all the wealth we are run on peanuts and hoping for the day we return to the top flight even if we go straight back down this would increase profits ten fold and the parachute payments would see that we have a very good chance of challenging (as long as the owners dont go mad Risdale style)
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craig
29/4/2013 12:55:09 am
agree clubs are sized on their success and we cannot brag at the momment as we are a long way from any silverwear or premier league. However there is a good feeling now that support to the manager will get us where we should be and stop there, support wise its there just needs dusting off Elland Road will soon be full again.
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Thailand White
29/4/2013 04:17:45 pm
Dan, I live in Thailand and have worked in Rio, Singapore , Vietnam, Malaysia , Cambodia , Kazakhstan and Indonesia , along with Holland , Norway and Sweden, and apart from the usual suspects from the top of the Prem , and Rangers and Celtic , there is no other team that is as highly regarded or talked about as Leeds.
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JDC
29/4/2013 12:42:30 am
Excellent article Rob ... well done and I think you've hit the nail on the head. Reading some posts on various sites is totally depressing, slagging off players for mistakes, slagging off GFH before they've even got through the door, labelling them GFBates etc. etc. without knowing the facts. I agree that the jury's still out on them but they have done most of what they said they would ... reduced ticket prices, reduced the price of seasons tickets, sacked the worst manager I can remember and brought in an intelligent and eloquent man to replace him ... it really is time we all got behind that man, Brian McDermott and whichever players he puts out on the pitch. Listen to the messages he is sending out ... best thing to happen to LUFC in many a long year.
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Well the article states the obvious, but equally, there are those who would wish us to bury our heads in t he sand and pretend that everything is rosy in the garden - well it is not!! What I would say however is that we have got what we prayed for and that is for Ken Bates to go. Now that is very positive and so is the appointment of BM. So things are definitely on the up and there is now much to be positive about and we need to get behind the club again!!
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Rob Atkinson
29/4/2013 01:29:37 am
Thanks! I feel that sometimes the obvious has to be stated, or one fine day you'll find someone running away with the wrong idea. There certainly seem to be a few souls out there right now with distinctly the wrong idea when it comes to the definition of "support", and they seem far too eager (for my liking) to recruit people to their own gloomy agenda. All I want is for as many of us as possible to really get behind the club now that Bates' voice has been stilled, and now that we have a really promising, likeable and no-bullshit guy in the manager's chair. We Are Leeds.
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StevieDee
29/4/2013 01:55:11 am
Football is an emotive subject and more so for the Leeds United faithful having endured some torrid times under Bates et al. Not sure who thinks we're not a big club, the support, the history, even the ground and training facilities have all the hallmarks of a Premiership side.
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leedsls27
29/4/2013 02:34:02 am
Completely agree.
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Ev
29/4/2013 04:57:42 am
There are two issues with selling Byram..... First is one of principal...the fans need a sign that things really have changed that we arnt just going to asset strip the team at the first oportunity.
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Paul G
29/4/2013 10:07:05 pm
Fair points, Ev .... but you miss the key one, which is that ALL the power lies with the players (or their agents) these days. IF city come waving a big bundle of cash at Byram, and turn his head, how do we stop him leaving? Do you think West Ham wanted to sell Ferdinand, Carrick, Lampard?
Northumberland LUFC
29/4/2013 04:03:20 am
A very timely well composed article, totally agree there is far too much negativity among some Leeds fans. Don't be negative, stop spreading gloom and doom. We are Leeds United and we are still a big club, lets remind the rest of the football world how big our support really is!
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mike
29/4/2013 04:34:24 am
Of course we're a big club. Unfortunately it's a big club that's currently fielding a generally poor team. Most of the music the Rolling Stones have released over the last 35 years has been similarly poor, but that doesn't lessen their status of one of the biggest rock bands. I started following Leeds United as a ten year old - ours wasn't a football household - in the mid / late eighties, and couldn't believe the stories of success that we'd enjoyed no longer ago than eleven or twelve years. But eleven or twelve years in the life of a ten year old is, literally, a life time. I now have the same problem with my eleven and nine year old children who, despite being shown endless videos of the Champions League semi-final season, simply can't accept that the uninspiring, second-rate, second division Leeds United that they know and love were ever beating Barcelona and Roma. Youngsters are increasingly aware of the star international players and the great European and Latin clubs, mainly as a consequence of the Fifa console games, which only goes to confirm in their minds that Leeds United are rubbish. And without having seen us win the league and dominate some of Europe's most famous clubs it's very difficult to convince them otherwise. I just pray to Don that we do get back to the Promised Land before an entire generation think of LUFC as being synonymous with nothing but ponderous, boring piss-poor football.
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Ev
29/4/2013 04:44:42 am
I think this article is in response to other sites articles suggesting we are no longer "big" and should accept reality........ well to me thats Losers talk.... I wont accept "Reality" and settle down for a life of average obcurity, Revie didnt, he wanted more and he was damn well going to get it because thats what Leeds United is about..... Giving the big middle finger to everyone who doubts us !
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pompous rob
29/4/2013 05:05:28 am
Pompous drivel; you're the most negative pillock I've met Atkinson
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Rob Atkinson
29/4/2013 06:30:20 pm
You sound a bit pompous, pompous rob! I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts, such as they are - but do remember: it's Mr Atkinson or "Sir" to you. I can't abide over-familiarity in subordinates.
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James-OZ-LUFC
29/4/2013 10:46:40 am
Leeds are "Massive"...always will be, here in OZ everywhere you go you'll see Leeds fans...Brisbane and the Gold Coast is crawling with the best fans in the world...be positive and show the WORLD how "BIG" our club is...I remember the 80's how depressing it all was apart from Sheridan/Baird etc. Then the promotion year, the 90's, the rise of the mighty whites, (forget the league cup final), being held in a Turkish hotel before the Galatasaray game and thinking WTF. The Leeds fans in their thousands turning up all over Europe and being the talk of Europe...Forget all the crap...It's gone. Forget Bates, he's gone. Forget the attendances the last couple of seasons, its not a complete reflection on how big we are...our time will come.
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Snowy
29/4/2013 02:20:21 pm
Excellent article, couldn't have said it better myself! I am seriously considering giving up going on certain forums for the very reasons you highlight. Only yesterday I went on one where people are already saying that this summer we will only be signing free transfer players - the season hasn't even ended yet and they can't wait to pour their doom and gloom over the summer.
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StevieDee
29/4/2013 06:53:47 pm
I think fans have had their expectations well and truly managed since Bates took control. GFH has already made it clear that they won't be doing a "Manchester City" and Harvey quite clearly stated that transfer strategy will be determined by season ticket sales.
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Snowy
30/4/2013 02:24:38 pm
I don't agree. We've gone down the path of freebies and loans, they don't work. GFH will invest some money in the squad this summer, nobody's expecting them to spend silly amounts.
Bigcho
29/4/2013 05:03:52 pm
Well penned, and so true...We Are Massive...I see it all over the world. I travel extensively around the UK, and in the most unlikely of places, you see evidence of Leeds Utd. I was telling a colleague of the support one day, when low & behold, we park up behind a car in Chichester, and the car has a huge Leeds flag in the back window. We then visit the contract we were working on, and there is a skate park at the side of it.....young kid with brand new Leeds shirt on (no scum, Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea etc.). Another time I was staying in a remote Cotswold village, full of antique shops and all! I walked out my hotel onto deserted streets, to see a lone figure walking his dog, in a Leeds tracksuit (not the dog). I see this time and time again, it's unbelievable, we're everywhere!!!!
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jimat37
29/4/2013 06:42:09 pm
Well said, negativity of this type is so unhelpful and annoying.
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29/4/2013 06:54:15 pm
It was a RITGK article that prompted me to write this, jimat37. Very well-written, but such a negative tone, as if the writer was in a bad place and determined to drag others down there too, all dressed up in a veneer of "realism". A big proportion of the business of being a football fan has always been to "big your club up" - whatever happened to that? Fans of other clubs must read some of our bleak and joyless contributors and laugh their socks off. How does a fan of, say, Portsmouth feel, reading this sort of crap? Mind-boggling, is what it is. We Are Leeds - say it loud and proud.
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Paul G
29/4/2013 10:12:42 pm
Great article, Rob. Sadly this isn't a new phenomenon - I started going to Leeds in the late 60s, and can recall games where the team got a load of stick if they weren't 3 up in the first 20 minutes ....
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