22 Sep 2023 17:26:27
reliving the past . what was the first time you saw the mighty LUFC?

Mine was in Belfast at the Oval, when we played Glentoran 1971 - my dad didn't want to take me because he was a Moaner, and didn't like Glentoran either, and he knew that Leeds would not bring their first team - Well he took me anyway after I bought the tickets, and the line up was

1.Sprake, Gary
2.Reaney, Paul
3.Davey, Nigel
4.Bates, Mick
5.Madeley, Paul
6.Hunter, Norman
7.Lorimer, Peter
8.Belfitt, Rod
9.Jones, Mick
10.Giles, Johnny
11.Gray, Eddie
MOT.

1.) 22 Sep 2023
22 Sep 2023 19:44:40
Nigel Davey! A blast from the reserve past

Sign him up! we need LBs!

2.) 22 Sep 2023
22 Sep 2023 20:24:17
Not a bad line up tho!
My memory is shafted, and I don’t believe in googling my own life, but, I think my first game was in 79, and I don’t recall who against, or the score, or what stand, but I had a bovril.

3.) 22 Sep 2023
22 Sep 2023 21:23:38
First game with my Auntie Eileen was Coventry away (in with Coventry supporters) think it was 77/ 78 2-2 draw remember very little but used to treasure that match programme but my sister stole it after one of our many disagreements…happy days.

4.) 22 Sep 2023
22 Sep 2023 22:21:01
1966, pre season friendly against Scunthorpe at Elland Road. Gary Sprake was sent off in a 3 - 1 win.

5.) 23 Sep 2023
23 Sep 2023 00:20:52
Based in Ealing unsurprisingly, I haven't made to very many the below probably accounts for 50% of all live matches for me - but to share some of the more memorable matches i've been to.

First: Away day 2002/ 2003 - at St Mary's vs. Southampton 2:3 Loss that flattered us as we scored in injury time. Was 8yrs old and my Gran who lived in Hampshire, her neighbour managed to get tickets for us. Starstruck by Nigel Martyn (who had been benched briefly before leaving for Everton) during the warm-up. Always had an irrational dislike of Robinson for taking Nigel's place (I know it was Venables, but still) .

11 April 2009: Second game, and first at Elland Road. Utterly unremarkable game (1:0 vs. Stockport, Howson goal) Spent about two hours in the shop trying to buy everything. Loved every minute regardless.

Best. Jan 3rd 2010 - After ringing my Dad so excited after we drew Man U in the FA Cup 3rd round, he tried to buy tickets very very late as an xmas gift. Turns out they had only hospitality left. And he got them! We sat in the home end at Old Trafford with our Leeds shirts on under about nine layers it was so cold the car about broke down over the M62 on the way. Took so much crap from all my Chelsea/ Arsenal/ Man U fans (in the locality I always respected Brentford fans especially back in those days) , I couldn't wait for school the next day.

Worst: Literally a few months later playing Swindon at home and lose 0:3 to Austin and Paynter. One of those forwards was the real deal, one wasn't. Despondent as I truly believed we were going to blow promotion again.

Bielsa Days: Just two games under the great man - 0:1 FA Cup at the Emirates when we were flying high in the Championship - we lost but what a game we were amazing in the first half. Think it was Meslier's debut too. My old boss and great friend then gave up his Hammers season ticket for me. I say oh you can't go? He said nah I could but I know how much it means to you and how difficult it can be to get tickets, go. A class act bettered by a Jack Harrison hattrick in what might have been the dying throes of the Bielsa era.

Bonus: Away day at Fratton Park in the Champ. 2:2 famous for the floodlights failing twice and my dad meeting Eddie Gray in line for the men's. Was beyond jealous but actually in terms of luck glad it happened to him as my dad saw him in his pomp - could relate to it more as much as I'd have enjoyed it. Also, Davide Somma - underrated and unlucky forward. Never talked about enough thought he was blossoming into a 25 goal champ forward before injury bit- scored that day with his first touch from the bench.

6.) 23 Sep 2023
23 Sep 2023 01:13:30
The first game I really remember going to was in October 1972 v Derby at Elland Road. I did go before then and I have programs from games from 1969, but I can’t say I really remember them.

My mum and her family were all born in Derby and the majority of them lived on the streets around the baseball ground. I can remember them having their windows being boarded up each Saturday morning. For one reason or another me and mum were Leeds fans and especially mum, who was very much the black sheep (Ram? ) of the family. They are all gone now, leaving only my younger brother who a rabid Derby fan.

The team that day was:
David Harvey
Jack Charlton
Trevor Cherry
Norman Hunter
Paul Madeley
Billy Bremner
Peter Lorimer
Johnny Giles
Allan Clarke
Eddie Gray
Mick Jones

…which for me is the team that you always recite when asked about the glory days (though I always add Terry Cooper) .

A 5-0 flogging.

I wanted a Billy Bremner numbered Leeds shirt, since it was my 9th birthday the week before, but I could only afford an un-numbered Scotland shirt. (Well that’s what Dad convinced me to accept) .