Leeds United V Swansea Saturday 29th March 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season I don't know about anyone else but despite it having been the international break, I still felt as if I was meeting myself coming backwards. I was told to say hello to myself as we pass by each other which made me laugh. It was nice to be interviewed by the Only Leeds Bros from Ireland during the week and I was also interviewed for the Paris 75 documentary that will be in cinemas from 28th May 2025. 50 years since I was there for the European Cup Final when it is still as fresh in my mind now as it was back then. Keep watching for the launch of my new website next week too. I'm so glad I was let down by the previous person because although it has meant I haven't had my website for three years, I am so happy with this new one. It will be work in progress, but it's been well worth waiting for. It was going to be a poignant day at Elland Road today as it also marks the 25th anniversary next week of the brutal murders of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in Istanbul. A fantastic tribute on the 25th minute when everyone turned their backs to the pitch as a mark of respect plus the game was stopped too which was good to see. I had to be at the ground early today as I wasn't going to be in my usual seat in the Kop but in the Eddie Gray suite celebrating my friend Nikki's birthday. Thank you for letting me join in your birthday celebrations which I enjoyed very much, and we had a really good time. The only downside was going down the steps that led to the hospitality suites at half time, but we couldn't get back into the level three area. Having to go back up two flights of stairs then back down another two to get there wasn't good especially when I've had a dodgy ankle for a few days. I spoke to someone when we got back up to the level five only to be told it was only to level two. When I got back into the stand later, I double checked the sign and there was nothing there to suggest you couldn't get back into any other levels. This will be passed back to the club via the supporter’s advisory board. Team: Meslier, Ampadu (captain), Struijk, Rodon, James, Aaronson, Bogle, Byram, Rothwell, Piroe, Solomon. Subs: Tanaka for Ampadu (58), Joseph for Aaronson (72), Firpo for Byram (72), Ramazani for Solomon (72), Gnonto for James (85). Subs not used: Darlow, Schmidt, Guilavogui, Gruev. Leeds drew 2-2 with Aaronson (1) and Gnonto (86) scoring for Leeds. Swansea equalised for the second time in 90+6 minutes after doing the same in the 64th minute. Attendance: 35,575, 784 Swansea fans. Referee: Ben Toner. Booked: Ampadu, Tanaka, Gnonto (for taking his shirt off when he scored a minute after coming on as a sub). I'd gone to the front of the upper east stand to get photos as there was to be a minute's applause for Chris and Kev. As I was getting to my seat two lads asked for their photos, but I said to wait as we'd gone straight on the attack towards the south stand and before we knew it the ball had hit the back of the net. What a fantastic start to the game but in true Leeds United fashion, things went downhill when we conceded a penalty. I didn't think it was one for a minute until I saw a replay later. Rodon did catch him, but he was going out of the penalty area, so it wasn’t a goal scoring opportunity. Did that use to be a rule in the past where they’d wave away a penalty appeal on that basis? I’m not sure if I’ve made it up or whether for once my memory is correct but no doubt someone will enlighten me. As for the penalty, justice prevailed when Meslier dived the right way and saved it. Swansea came back at us very quickly and were very unlucky not to equalise shortly afterwards. They won a free kick in front of us and as they sent the ball into the middle, the ball was headed against the upright and the ball bounced straight back into Meslier’s hands. Phew that was a relief, but it also showed to me that Swansea wouldn’t be no pushover, but I do feel once they were awarded the penalty, that made a difference. As the game progressed some of our players were looking leggy as the effects of the international break once more came back to haunt us. The second half had kicked off by the time I got back to my seat (by the way those padded seats are a far cry from my usual one in the Kop but are very comfy). We were very unlucky not to get a second goal as James kept the ball in on the by line then Aaronson sent the ball into the middle of the box and Piroe saw the keeper make a good save from his shot. James also saw the keeper make a good save from him. We let Swansea back into the game unexpectedly from a corner. Meslier went up unopposed to catch the ball, dropped it but the first person to react was their player to put the ball into the net. Prior to that he’d made a great save to keep them out then this happened. Gnonto came on as sub and from a corner Struijk saw their keeper make another great save but then Gnonto hit a great shot from the edge of the box to take the lead once again. Swansea had been time wasting and I thought there may be six minutes of injury time but there was seven. After we had got that goal, instead of consolidating the lead and seeing the game out, we did everything to give Swansea the chance to equalise by losing the ball, then the man from our throw in before they equalised once again with six minutes added on. With lots blaming Meslier for this goal too which I don’t, you can see on replays we had six players there who were all ball watching who had already switched off in my opinion. Swansea never gave up and deserved their point to be honest. Being in hospitality didn’t stop me shouting, singing and being my usual self although a swear word did come out when I got nervous. I thought I may have gone over the top as usual but then got a compliment from a lady in front of me at the end of the game, saying she’d like to be like me in the future. Thanks for that. With social media in meltdown once again, I felt indifferent but had to be reminded we hadn’t lost but drawn the game. Noel Whelan had asked me before the game what I thought but I said I never predict scores as I always get them wrong plus we’ve been here too many times before. It’s not the end of the world as it is still in our hands now despite us going down to second but now on equal points with Burnley. Just forget we are trying the get promoted Leeds but with Luton being another early kick off next Saturday, we can only see what happens there. On my way home the conditions were awful with the wind taking my car a few times, which made me wonder if the wind had an impact in the ground. I know when we got into the stand the winds were strong, but it is a possibility however small, that it impacted on Meslier dropping the ball?  LUFC – Marching on Together!

QPR V Leeds United Saturday 15th March 2025 - Matrade Loftus Road 2024/25 Season After another early and cold start this morning, my message to Leeds was some reverse psychology. Forget about it being another early kick off as it was us fans who were travelling through the night so they should be fresh as daisies. Also, in 1974 our last game of the season saw us crowned Champions of the first division where we went onto the pitch at the end of the game. This shows that we can win at Loftus Road despite it not being a happy hunting ground, plus playing in London. My friend Carole opened the champagne she’d brought with her on that day, although I never liked the taste of it so I can’t remember whether I had a drink or not. After sleeping all the way to the services and then having to be woken up as everyone was getting off the coach at the pub, we arrived two hours before kick-off. I was going to stay on the coach then decided to head to the players’ entrance to see the team getting off the coach. As I stayed around that area, my beret caught the eye of a camera man, and I had to look up at the sky so he could get photos of the top of it. This was given to me by the Art of Football, and it has certainly caught the eye of fans and others as I wear it to every game. I love it and can’t thank them enough. It was great talking to and taking photos of lots of our fans outside the ground and it was a relaxed atmosphere. Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Firpo, Aaronson, Piroe, James, Rothwell, Solomon, Tanaka. Subs: Gnonto for Aaronson (45), Ramazani for Aaronson (84). Subs not used: Darlow, Joseph, Debayo, Byram, Guilavogui, Schmidt, Gruev. Leeds drew the game 2-2 with goals from Firpo (40) and Bogle (51) after being two goals down. Attendance: 17,457, 1,759 Leeds fans. Referee: Tim Robinson. Booked: Struijk, Bogle. Sent off: Saito (QPR). We had a lot of possession in the early stages of the game although without any chances before QPR took the lead after a poor clearance from Aaronson, saw their player hit a cracking shot into the top corner of the goal in front of us. To make matters worse, within 30 minutes we were two goals down when their player was in so much space to the left of us, crossed the ball to be headed into the net by another one in acres of space. Well, that wasn’t what I wanted to happen so I told those around me that we would have to win 3-2 then. Leeds got their act together to pull a goal back five minutes before the break with some great passing football involving, Tanaka and Piroe who found Solomon on the wing. His pass into the middle saw Firpo get onto the end of it to hit the ball into the net. At least that would give us a fighting chance. The second half saw Leeds come out fighting as Farke made one of his earliest subs when he brought Gnonto on for Aaronson. That had the desired effect because we had been outnumbered in the middle of the pitch by QPR in the first half. It didn’t take Leeds long to get an equaliser as Gnonto sent James forward along the wing. His cross into the middle saw Solomon’s shot saved but Bogle followed up with the rebound to score the goal. I wondered if I would get my wish after all as we were on top at this part of the game. As it was, QPR resorted to “injuries” and time wasting to slow the game down more than once. It also looked as if someone had been having a word in the ref’s ear as he let some fouls go on us but blew up constantly against us. We had to be thankful to Meslier to make a great save to keep them from taking the lead after a long throw into the box. QPR had a player sent off with a straight red for a late challenge on James in the closing stages of the game. At first, I thought I’d been mistaken seeing a red card as their player didn’t want to go off the pitch. Farke then decided to make a sub and took off Solomon for Ramazani. To be honest a that moment, it was the first time I wouldn’t have even used another sub because we had been on top for most of the second half. Solomon was very upset at having been subbed though and I could sympathise because it did feel that we could still get a winner with him on the pitch. We did get in good positions but the final ball into the net was lacking so had to be content with the draw. I’m not sure if something happened with Joseph at the end of the game as he looked very angry, and Ampadu was trying to calm him down. Can’t say I noticed anything but someone else may have. At the end of the day, we got another precious point after coming back from two goals down. We have no control over other teams but there will certainly be plenty of ups and downs before the season ends. As we now have the international break again, the telling point for us and those around us will be whether we can keep the momentum going when the games restart. We still have a chance so keep fighting Leeds. Monday will see a poignant day for me as it would have been the birthday of my baby daughter Charlotte who died. She found fame in her little life as her birth was announced live on TV by Greavsie when Leeds played at Arsenal that day. It was the first game I’d missed home or away for seven years. Thanks to my late husband, Arsenal put the news across their scoreboard which is how it was picked up by Greavsie. He said I’d seen more action than they had at the game! Charlotte also attended her first game at six days old against Cristal Palace when she went into the creche in the South Stand which was the family stand back then. I’ll always be grateful to the Square Ball for keeping her memory alive when they wished her a happy 30th birthday, not knowing she had died suddenly at 17 days old from an undiagnosed heart defect. As my new website will shortly be going live after three years without one, I hope that the Square Ball can find that clip so I can share it on there. See you at the Swansea home game where I will not be in my usual seat in the Kop but in the Eddie Gray suite instead for a friend’s birthday. LUFC – Marching on Together!

Leeds United V Millwall Wednesday 12th March 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season After seemingly meeting myself coming backwards, I had to revert to Shanks Pony (walking in other words) for most of the day and whilst I’ve enjoyed it, I’d slowed up by the end of the game. I decided to catch a train into Leeds as my daughter was coming straight from work and I’d come back home with her afterwards. With it being a rail replacement transport, it turned out to be our regular driver from our away coach who brought me to Leeds. A big thank you to Arne one of our Norwegian Whites who gave me a present of a Leeds cup with my name in it which was greatly appreciated. He’d bought some memorabilia for his museum, and it was lovely to see he had a silk scarf with the 1972 FA Cup Final on it which was my favourite ever game. Whilst meeting him at Billy’s statue, a few fans asked me what I thought the score would be, but I don’t predict scores as I always get them wrong. I did say we had to win though as it was important we picked up the points tonight as QPR is another ground that hasn’t been good for us. Getting something from that game too will keep the pressure on the other teams around us too. It was nice to finally meet up with Craig and sign my Follow Me and Leeds United book that he had bought. Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Tanaka, Firpo, Rothwell, Piroe, James, Solomon, Aaronson. Subs: Gruev for Rothwell (86), Byram for Bogle (86), Gnonto for Solomon (86), Ramazani for James (90+1), Joseph for Piroe (90+1). Subs not used: Darlow, Guilavogui, Debayo, Chambers. Leeds won the game 2-0 with an own goal from Cooper (3) and Tanaka (85). Attendance: 34,401, 391 Millwall fans. Referee: Dean Whitestone. Booked: Unbelievably none from Millwall. Leeds started off at a blistering pace after being turned around by Millwall, so we were attacking the Kop in the first half. I hadn’t realised the goal was so early in the game as Solomon sent a low shot along the byline that ended up in the net at the near post courtesy of Millwall’s captain. That set the tone for Leeds to keep attacking which is the best form of defence and it showed tonight as we limited Millwall to very few attacks. Millwall were chopping our players down left, right and centre but the referee never gave a yellow card out. I was half expecting us to challenge them and get the first card but thankfully we didn’t. We were attacking in droves, and Aaronson had a shot saved by their keeper. Leeds scored a second goal that was disallowed for offside after good work in the penalty area from Aaronson gave Piroe the chance to put the ball into the net. I was convinced it wasn’t offside and according to half time reports; this was confirmed to be the case. It would have made a difference by taking any pressure off us. The sting was taken out of the game as their player went down injured. He went off the pitch at the slowest pace to be subbed, only to take forever and the referee to let them do it.  The second half saw Leeds come close a couple of times from Aaronson and Solomon as frustration started to creep into some of our support as we wanted to make changes. Millwall sent a long range shot that Meslier kept out of the net by pushing it around the corner of the post. Fears were that they were going to pile the pressure on us now but we needn’t have worried. As it was Farke stuck with the same players despite play dropping off but with five minutes of normal time left, he looked to the bench. At that moment, I thought the players on the pitch would now push to score in case they were going off which did happen. Another good move saw play switch from the right-hand side as Solomon passed to Firpo on the left wing. He looked up and sent a perfect pass across the box which Solomon left, and Tanaka hit a blistering shot into the top corner to seal the victory. Another clean sheet, win and a welcome three points took us back to the top of the table as we head to QPR on Saturday for another early start and kick off. See you there, LUFC – Marching on Together!

Leeds United v Valencia Saturday 3rd August 2024 - Elland Road, Leeds 2024/25 Pre-Season Friendly It was lovely to see a sea of yellow around Elland Road with the new away shirt worn by plenty including many children. Today’s last pre-season friendly was an opportunity for many fans to bring young children to their first game. Team: Meslier, Ampadu, Jayden Bogle (making his home debut), Firpo, Struijk, Rodon, Rutter, James, Gnonto, Joseph, Gruev Subs: Byram for Bogle (60), Wöber for Struijk (64), Piroe for James (64), Aaronson for Gnonto (64), Rothwell for Gruev, (64), Bamford for Joseph (76), Gelhardt for Rutter (76), Crew for Ampadu (81), Debayo for Firpo (81), Chambers for Rodon (88) Subs not used: Darlow Leeds won the game 2-1 with goals from Joseph (14), Rutter (41) Attendance: 32,973 Referee: James Bell Booked: Ampadu Sent off: Mir (Valencia)  To say this was a preseason friendly, it was anything but on the pitch. There were a lot of hard tackles and fouls put in, mainly from Valencia, but it wasn’t a surprise when they ended the game with 10 men. With Bogle going off after being injured in a tackle, I’m hoping that was just as a precaution. All I could think of was that we may end up with injuries before we even start the season. As we have already lost young Harry Gray until 2025 according to a now deleted post on Instagram, I want us to start the season strongly. The game saw some flashes of brilliance and a never say die attitude showing resilience which was good to see. Both Joseph and Rutter took their goals well and I’m looking forward to seeing them build on today’s performance. I didn’t want to see Aaronson or Wöber back at Elland Road, but I was still surprised by the number of boos as they came onto the pitch. They will have to do their talking on the pitch as far as I’m concerned and as always, being at games in person is how I will always judge how Leeds as a team will perform. With Summerville completing his move to West Ham today, that’s another one out of the door so having depth in our squad going forward is essential. As the transfer window doesn’t shut until the end of the month and the season starts in earnest next week with our home game against Portsmouth, I won’t rule out any more incomings or outgoings until then. See you next week, LUFC – Marching on Together!