Hull - 31st August - 24/25

September 1, 2024

Leeds United v Hull City

Saturday 31st August 2024 - Elland Road, Leeds

2024/25 Season Friendly


I want to say a big thank you to everyone today for your support, love, hugs and comments after my husband’s recent stroke. As always, they are gratefully appreciated, and we are thankful that Phillip/Captain is one of the lucky ones as he seems to have only minimal issues. Although not without its challenges, it was nice to get back to Elland Road for some respite for me. I hadn’t felt 100% as I got to the ground but decided to walk to Holbeck Working Men’s Club. I didn’t think I did too badly with an approximate 15-20 minute walk each way, but it took me back in time. I remembered walking to and from Snaith to the train station from home and to and from Leeds station to the ground. As I was reminiscing, I saw someone walking towards me with his scarf tied around his wrist which was another throwback to then.


If you can watch Calendar on 12th September which is 50 years to the date of the Don Revie v Clough interview, my response will be seen as I was filmed at home during the week. Next week also sees me heading to Stirling on Wednesday for the unveiling of the blue plaque where Billy Bremner lived in Raploch. It will also kickstart the fundraising in earnest for a statue for him there too. Watch out for further details.


Sadly, I didn’t go past Chris and Kev’s plaque at Elland Road but have just seen online, about  a great gesture from the Hull City vice chairmen who laid flowers underneath it. Thank you.


As the last day for new signings and departures ended yesterday, luckily, I have taken a back seat just fleetingly looking to find out any news. The threads saw no end of posts, but I decided that I had no control over anything and what would be would be. With Rutter being the last one out although I was expecting more, we brought in Largie Ramazani from UD Almeria, Spain, Manor Solomon on loan from Spurs, AO Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf and finally Isaac Schmidt from Swiss side St. Gallen. As usual by just concentrating on Leeds United, I had not heard of any player and knew nothing about them which tends to work well for me. I judge them all by their performances on the pitch so go into the games with an open mind and no prejudgements.


Team: Meslier, Ampadu, Rodon, Firpo, Bogle, Gnonto, Solomon (home debut), Aaronson, Struijk, Gruev, Joseph

Subs: Piroe for Solomon (74), Ramazani for Gnonto (74), Byram for Bogle (83), Rothwell for Joseph (86), Tanaka for Gruev (86)

Subs not used: Darlow, Gelhardt, Debayo, Wöber


Leeds won the game 2-0 with Joseph (63), Piroe (82) scoring for Leeds


Attendance: 36,517, approx. 2,900 Hull fans.

Referee: Gavin Ward

Booked: Rodon, Gruev


The game started at a fast pace with Leeds on the attack with Gruev’s low shot saved comfortably by the keeper then Joseph’s shot pushed over the bar. Hull attacked in numbers and a wicked shot went just over Meslier’s crossbar. Leeds were unlucky not to take the lead when Gnonto put the ball into the net but was ruled offside. Hull came back with an immediate response and showed they could be dangerous on the break as they were in acres of space down the left-hand side of the Kop. Luckily for us we were able to keep the ball out although at times when bringing the ball out from the back, things got too close for comfort. To me the first half passed very quickly as we went into the break on equal terms. Saw Tony at half time and I love how he has changed the bulls to blue on the home shirt.

The second half once again started at a fast pace with Leeds on the attack, but Aaronson’s shot was straight at the keeper. With Leeds on the attack once more down the right-hand side, I thought Solomon had no chance of passing the ball into the middle, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The pass was class and the finish by Joseph sublime as the ball hit the back of the net to put us one goal up. With Leeds overall being the better team, we had another attack and Firpo on the right of us sent a fantastic cross to the left-hand side which Ramazani left. The ball was picked up by Piroe as he rolled the ball into the net to increase our lead. The score ended up 2-0 as we kept another clean sheet and three points. I do feel if Hull would have scored first; it would have been a lot tougher for us. Again, we didn’t have it all our own way but ground out a win amongst some good attacking football.


I thought our new players did well and the good thing for me is that it has given us some squad depth as that was a real concern for me. As we go into the international break with our first home win of the season, the game has given some hope back. I never predict scores as I don’t get them right and only make my observations by what I see on the pitch but all in all, there were a lot of positives. It was nice to see Tanaka passing the ball well too. I was definitely slow on the uptake as the crowd got going with A, O, Let’s go! Well, how was I to know they were Tanaka’s initials? See you after the international break with another home game against Burnley.


LUFC – Marching on Together!

Promotion Party- 21st April - 24/25

April 22, 2025
Promotion Party! Monday 21st April 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season At the end of the game, we went back to the Holbeck Working Men’s Club before heading back down to Elland Road to celebrate our promotion as Burnley were winning Sheffield United. Great scenes as we celebrated with the team and other fans although the flares let off stunk to high heaven. A nice gesture was my granddaughter being given a Leeds scarf to cover her face when the smoke was overpowering. The smoke lingered in my throat long into the night too. It was also very humbling to be told that I am an inspiration which were amongst some of the lovely words said to me by our fans today. With the hugs and thoughts about my late husband, I couldn’t ask for more support from so many of you which is why Leeds United supporters are second to none. Thank goodness we don’t have to go into the play offs as thousands of Leeds fans cancelled their hotel bookings including my daughter. To be able to go into the last two games knowing we are already up with no pressure on is immense. Saying that, I want to go up as Champions as we were robbed of celebrating properly last time due to covid. I had a film crew with me that night and now we’ve had a good result, I will be heading to Elland Road for 6pm tomorrow for an interview with ITV.  I’d like to dedicate this promotion to all those Leeds fans who have died this season and are unable to celebrate this with us including my husband Phillip/Captain, Halifax White. To everyone else, enjoy your celebrations as United Are back again, and we are promoted back to the Premier League. LUFC – Marching on Together!

Stoke City- 21st April - 24/25

April 22, 2025
Leeds United V Stoke City Monday 21st April 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season I’d woke up at 3am and found I couldn’t sleep for hours. My mind had started racing thinking of all the permutations of what could happen at the game today. We could actually be promoted if things went our way and the excitement rising in me meant I’d gone into overdrive, which all contributed to the sleeplessness. Speaking to others at the game, I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. The worst thing was dropping asleep for an hour before getting up then feeling like I’d been hit by a bus and all my enthusiasm had waned so what would be, would be. Before heading to Elland Road, we went for our traditional bank holiday visit to Selby market and to get a Doubtfire’s ice cream. Leeds fans were out in force which was good to see. One a stall holder shouted to a Sheffield United fan who “wasn’t impressed” to see me, a Leeds United fan. There again we had a conversation, and he told me that we would win 4 or 5 nil today which I said I’d take. Never in a million years would we have expected to be 5-0 up at half time especially after being turned around at kick off. Team: Darlow, Ampadu, Rodon, Bogle, Firpo, Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon, Piroe, Gruev, Tanaka. Subs: Ramazani for Gnonto (66), Bamford for Piroe (66), Byram for Firpo (77), Schmidt for Bogle (77), Harry Gray aged 16 making his first team debut for Aaronson (86). Subs not used: Meslier, Joseph, Guilavogui, Wöber. Leeds won the game 6-0 with Piroe getting four (6, 8, 20, 41), Firpo (26) and Gnonto (59). Attendance: 36,644, with approximately 1,900 Stoke fans. Referee: Darren Bond. Booked: Ampadu. Turning us round at the start of the game didn’t have the effect that Stoke thought there’d be. Leeds were on fire as Gnonto then Solomon with Piroe hitting the final ball into the net saw us take an early lead. Within two minutes we had doubled our lead when Bogle carried on running past the Stoke player taking the ball with him passed into the box for Piroe to score a second goal. Piroe then completed his hat trick after Tanaka sent a great ball into the box for Gnonto. He hit his shot at the second attempt which brought a save out of their keeper then Piroe came in at the far post and scored from a narrow angle. Wow, unbelievable scenes at Elland Road as the fans erupted hardly believing our eyes. We hadn’t finished yet as Bogle once again getting involved, got round their man in the penalty area and his pass saw Firpo hit a fourth into the net. Gnonto saw another shot saved by the keeper before Bogle once again saw his shot bounce back off the upright and Piroe hit the rebound into the net. It looked like a Stoke player and Aaronson tried getting a toe onto the ball, but it looks like Piroe was given the goal. It felt very surreal going into the break 5-0 up. Stoke had their first shot on goal but straight at Darlow just before the whistle blew. The second half saw Stoke bring on three subs and although we took a little while to settle, a fantastic cross by Solomon saw Gnonto head the ball into the net for a sixth goal on the day. There was no coming back for Stoke from the score then as we started to believe we were going up. They did have another shot on target on the 80th minute but in reality it was one way traffic for most of the game which was great for us fans too.  It was lovely to see the Gray family dynasty carry on when Harry Gray younger brother of Archie, came on as a sub at 16 years of age. A special moment especially for Eddie Gray who was extremely proud and full of emotion on seeing him come on to the pitch. LUFC – Marching on Together!

Oxford- 18th April - 24/25

April 19, 2025
Oxford United V Leeds United Friday 18th April 2025 - The Kassam Stadium 2024/25 Season After a couple of bad days, I’d felt more upbeat on my way to Elland Road when a lorry with a lest we forget cab, passed me with a big Leeds United badge on the side. I automatically gave it the Leeds salute as I go onto autopilot when I see other Leeds fans. Listening to music helped me so in my reel I said I wanted Leeds to go and enjoy the football, forget about our target of automatic promotion but to keep fighting. My thoughts were that it would take the pressure off us. After other results didn’t help again (not that I expected any to), winning the game had to be a priority. At our pub stop it was nice to talk to some Oxford fans who still wished us good luck despite wanting their team to win, as they’d be fighting for the points as they were near the relegation zone. The last time we’d come to this ground was for a pre-season friendly, but I couldn’t remember when but was reminded that it was for Bielsa’s first game. It’s still unique with only three stands in place but it gave some Leeds fans the chance to watch from the car park and others in the distant trees. This was another ground where we were treated well as far as I was concerned. The only issue was getting soaked before the game when I switched the tap on in the ladies sink only for a torrent of water to overflow everywhere. I wasn’t the only one to find that out the hard way. Team: Darlow, Ampadu, Rodon, Bogle, Solomon, Gnonto, Gruev, Tanaka, Aaronson, Firpo, Piroe. Subs: Bamford for Piroe (75), James for Gnonto (75), Schmidt for Solomon (87), Guilavogui for Aaronson (90). Subs not used: Meslier, Joseph, Byram, Ramazani, Wöber. Leeds won the game 1-0 with the goal scored by Solomon (32). Attendance: 11,537, 1,434 Leeds fans. Referee: Dean Whitestone. Booked: Gruev, Bogle. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy game which turned out to be the case and very tense for us Leeds fans. Oxford were the first on the attack which saw Darlow make a good save before their keeper was called into action to save a shot from Aaronson. Oxford were having plenty of possession, looking quite dangerous at times. Instead of the flying Leeds fan at an Oxford game in the past, it was a flying Leeds player when Tanaka was pushed in the back. After soaking up the pressure, Leeds took the lead when Rodon sent an excellent ball for Bogle to run onto who sent a great pass across the box for Solomon to race in and put the ball into the net. That was a welcome relief to take the lead and meant we were in control then as we went into the break. The second half still saw Oxford with a lot of possession, and we had to be really patient in our build ups (not that us fans were), but we did manage some good play down the wing. We started attacking more as Farke was looking to bring our first subs on and a Firpo shot went over the bar but was not that far away. Darlow threw a long ball out to Solomon on the wing, and he would have been away bearing down on goal only for the game to be stopped for a foul. Tanaka was so unlucky not to score as his long shot hit the bottom of the post and bounced away sadly not near a Leeds player. From a free kick their keeper was able to make the save from Gruev easily. Oxford tried getting back into the game, but we were standing firm in defence and there were plenty of sighs of relief that we were one step closer to automatic promotion when the final whistle blew. It is still all to play for, and Monday will have a big bearing on the outcome of the table positions, as Burnley and Sheffield United play each other after our game has finished. Keeping us in pole position will be vital and put even more pressure on those two. As long as the challengers implode and not us, I’d be happy. I’d have no problem us all going up to have local derby games, but we have to go up automatically whereas one of them can go up via the playoffs I’ve tried for exchange tickets for Monday without success so it will be just the three of us with season tickets being at the game. I’m looking forward to a bouncing Elland Road, but we must get behind the team for the full 90 minutes. On the way home, I had a few tears as my husband won’t be there to share the chance of Leeds going up. We first met at a pre-season friendly in Molenbeek in 1977 so go back a long way. There are many more Leeds fans who won’t be there to share this with us either so the emotions and nostalgia will be hitting many of us if we succeed. See you there, LUFC – Marching on Together!
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