Leeds United Mass Exodus - End of an era?

15/4/2015

By Steve Barras

When you think Leeds United, you think of Don Revie, the teams of the 60's and 70's. You also think of the Champions League escapade and the overspending that is the root of our current standing.

Throughout it all, through the highs and lows of our club, there has been one constant and that is the fans. Widely regarded as the only thing about Leeds United that is still Premier League class but I fear that this may be coming to an end.

When you think Leeds United, you think of Don Revie, the teams of the 60's and 70's. You also think of the Champions League escapade and the overspending that is the root of our current standing.

Throughout it all, through the highs and lows of our club, there has been one constant and that is the fans. Widely regarded as the only thing about Leeds United that is still Premier League class but I fear that this may be coming to an end.

Too many times in the past few seasons I have heard people saying that they aren't renewing thier season ticket until the club shows the same ambition as the fans, or if they sell such and such or sack this manager I shan't be coming back. This is mainly disgruntled fans who nevertheless dig deep again the following season, I myself have been guilty of this. When Ken Bates sold Jonny Howson and sacked Simon Grayson I said "That's it, no more for me" I even had tears in my eye when I said it but I renewed and I am still sat at Elland Road every home game despite everything that has transpired since.

The fact of the matter is that average gates have fallen in recent years and that just shows that people have become disenchanted with the club, the way it is run and the constant controversy that surrounds us. I struggle to see where our next generation of fans are going to come from with so many youngsters defecting to Man City or Chelsea or Liverpool. Especially when fans who have been coming for 10, 20, 30 or even more years have said "enough is enough." I foresee a day when 10 or 15,000 at a home game is the norm and I dread it.

Leeds United fans have been revered for generations and I hate to think that this is going to come to an end. For the foreseeable future even just for the gates next season I think it is essential that we keep hold of Neil Redfearn and our current crop of homegrown talent, if we are stripped of them then Mr Cellino may find that a 10,000 home gate is more present than future.

9 Comments

OzTyke

15/4/2015 07:43:36 am

"Inertia". When a narcissistic, megalomaniac control-freak is prevented from dictating absolutely everything from players meals to which urinals they use, NOTHING happens during his absence from the club because those who are left are either scared of making a decision for which they will be accountable when he gets back, or they are not competent enough to make one (eg Umbers).

Neileeds4eva

15/4/2015 08:40:05 am

Well said Steve.
As one of the fellas you refer to, I am sure your observations will become a distinct reality if the situation at the club we love does not improve.
29 consecutive years a devout and passionate fan and season ticket holder, now in the family stand with my family only yards from those revered halcyon days.
Once upon a time on the Lowfields terraces I could associate with fans and players players alike.
It was clear that every one who wore the shirt, regardless of ability, was going to give 100% and our belief and resolve was strengthened all the more by the tangible passion that emenated from Elland Road itself, and we revelled in it.
Alas no more...

lykewakwalker

15/4/2015 10:08:30 pm

Over 60 years supporting Leeds but saw my last game at the end of last year. Gutted not to be supporting the team but enough is enough, I wonder if things will ever change now at this ONCE great club, I hope so but I won't be a part of it.

Shazzan

15/4/2015 09:03:17 am

This is me. Completely fed up. Sick of waiting for the time when we get our act together but never do. Sick of being taken for granted. The Norwich game was my last. Noticed a Norwich supporter with Howson on the back of his shirt prior to the game outside the ground. Talk about taking the mick. Then of course Howson scores. I will not be coming again until things change but I do not think they will. The club is dying and only the fans care.

15/4/2015 09:37:19 am

I feel your pain Shazzan, albeit from a long way away!
I think the fanbase has been taken for granted, abused and conned for so long that we've ALMOST come to expect/accept it. Helpless and hopeless, but maybe, just maybe that situation can change if the Leedsfans CBS thing gets off the ground.
I have chipped in 200 quid, and I pray that something comes of their scheme. It's ambitious, but then again "ambition" is something we haven't seen for a long time, and anything is worth trying rather than nothing.

PAUL W

15/4/2015 09:23:55 am

I totally agree with you. Only the Leeds fans can now either make there feelings heard at the final three games or take a stance by not turning up next season and saving their hard earned money, instead of throwing it down a bottomless pit of NO HOPE, called Leeds "NOT" United.
The summer is always a very long time for Leeds fans to be without football and it's amazing how the fantastic loyal fans will turn up again next season, but that might not happen if next season is to become a carbon copy of this season and the season before.

Bluesman link

15/4/2015 04:56:33 pm

It is very difficult but things are changing. Far better than the abates years and there is change around the corner with either Cellino or new owners we are nearly there. Just don't forget the impact that the FL have had in all of this? Where would we be if Cellino was in charge. Change is in the wind and for the better.

Philip of Spain.

15/4/2015 05:28:43 pm

Unfortunately a lowly league finish,again,skint,crowds deminishing,four defeats in a row conceding 11 x goals.Unsure of ownership for next year,court cases pending,young talent being looted by rich suiters and arsehole agents.Supporters really pissed off, alleged potential Brazilian superstars who can't get a game and will be leaving in the closed season.Manager unsure of future,future unsure of manager,players and owners.What's new,Jack Shit,just a normal standard,run in to the close season for the mushrooms ( supporters).The season fades in typical Leeds United fashion,slow and very,very,painful

stelufc

15/4/2015 07:34:46 pm

Started going in the mid 80s. We were hardly world beaters then, but.... you could see we might be going in the right direction, and eventually we did.

Through krasner, bates, harvey and gfh we've had none of that, we've just been a cash cow to be milked.

Thought it might be different with cellino. So much for hope then.

P.s. don't want that Malaysian lot that are mates with Harvey or red bull either.

Leeds United Mass Exodus - End of an era?

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