Portsmouth - 9th March - 24/25

March 10, 2025

Portsmouth v Leeds United

Saturday 9th March 2025 - Fratton Park

2024/25 Season


Having just arrived home after a 17 hour round trip, despite all the traffic issues that meant detours, we had a good run both there and back. Starting from home at 3.30am in freezing conditions to ending up in glorious sunshine at the ground it was a perfect day for a football game. Even though it was a long day for us northern based fans, it was short 15–20-minute journey for many of our southern based fans, especially the Hampshire Whites. They have the long journey to do for every home game at Elland Road so I don’t feel I can complain when the boot is on the other foot. I’d no idea Portsmouth were near the bottom of the table as I only concentrate on Leeds, but they wanted to win the game more than we did. Although we did have our share of chances, if our last-minute chance had gone in instead of their keeper making a great save, I would have taken the point, but it would have been a get out of jail card. It’s what it is, and we move on to a big week of football with our home game against Millwall on Wednesday then away at QPR on Saturday. I’ve no idea what will transpire but it all depends how we are set up in my opinion. Today it felt like we had got our tactics wrong and were looking defensive in the first half. Before they scored their goal, I wanted to see changes because I could see what was coming. For those blaming Meslier for their goal, I don’t agree. Our defenders were level with their player after we got caught out with their speed and could have stopped him before he got into our penalty area. Instead, we slackened off so that he got in front of our defence and scored. To be honest, it looked like half of the team had been up all night travelling not us!


Team: Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Firpo, Aaronson, Piroe, James, Solomon, Gruev, Tanaka, Solomon.

Subs: Joseph for Aaronson (68), Ramazani for Solomon (68), Rothwell for Tanaka (68), Byram for Bogle (79), Gnonto for Gruev (79).

Subs not used:  Darlow, Guilavogui, Schmidt, Debayo.


Leeds lost the game 1-0.


Attendance:   20,314, 2,171 Leeds fans.

Referee:  Rob Jones.

Booked:  None from Leeds.


The first half felt very poor from our perspective although things may have been different if we’d have been awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when James was brought down in the penalty area. He had hit the ball only for the Portsmouth player to kick him halfway up the calf from behind. The referee had a clear view of it but decided to ignore the challenge. As he’s supposedly a premier league referee, maybe he needed VAR to make a decision for him. We had another chance when their keeper made a double save firstly from Solomon and then the rebound from Piroe. How their player ended up without a booking for a late challenge on Meslier I don’t know. Portsmouth got into the game more and were very quick on the break, but we looked to be containing them. We started to play more defensively, and it didn’t make for good watching from our point of view as it was very poor before the break.


The second half saw Leeds start off with a great attack from the defence when Bogle sent a fantastic ball up the wing for James to run onto. He sent a great pass to Solomon on the opposite wing, but he couldn’t hit a first time shot. He took the ball past the keeper, passed to Piroe in front of goal who hit the ball over the bar. That was a good chance and should have been buried. That miss was going to come back to haunt us very quickly as it emboldened Portsmouth who made a sub. I shouted to Farke that he needed to change things as I could see what was going to happen only nothing was done about it. With that Portsmouth sent a great ball over our defence, and as Rodon and Struijk were level with their player, I expected them to close the player down and win the ball. As it was, we slowed down and their player ran forward with pace, hit the ball as Meslier came forward only to see it hitting the far post and rebounding back into the goal. They could have got a second goal not long afterwards as they hit a long range shot but Meslier made a fantastic save to keep them out. They also had another shot that hit the outside of the post then went wide. We should have got back into the game as Leeds attacked towards the Leeds fans behind the goal. Firpo did a one two with Ramazani and although the ball was short, Firpo kept running and took the ball with him. He got into the penalty area past their defence and ready to shoot but then, shot against the keeper’s legs and the ball cleared. Firpo then saw his header hit the bar with James getting to the rebound, but the ball went wide. Our last chance saw Rothwell send a corner into the middle and Byram’s header brought a great save out of their keeper. He was definitely their man of the match.


The last couple of days had already sent me into a downward spiral so I just accepted we had lost the game. For those who followed my husband’s cancer journey until he died, may remember my baby granddaughter being hospitalised four times during the last year with urinary sepsis. After further tests, it looks like they have found the cause of this, but we will know more when we see the consultant shortly. It is possible she faces surgery and although I was okay after we came away from the hospital, the next two days got the tears flowing again. It is coming up to the birthday of my baby daughter who died, and it brought things back to me. The anniversary of Charlotte’s death is the same day that we are remembering Chris and Kev who were murdered in Istanbul. I will be attending their remembrance evening but if the last two days are anything to go by, there will be a lot of tears shed.


Whilst we have lost a game of football today for the first time since November, it is hard for some to deal with but, it isn’t over yet and we are not yet down and out. Hopefully that won’t come back to bite me!





See you on Wednesday, 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!
Show More