After a brief holiday cramming in as much of the World Cup as physically possible, here is the July 2018 update. Apologies for no June update.

Monthly Branch Meeting

The AGM was well attended on July 8th. Thanks to all who came along. The minutes were read out by The Chairman and agreed with a show of hands. These will be available at the next AGM  for anyone who wishes to see a copy. The 2017-18 season was summed up and reports from the Secretary, Treasurer and MPO were provided. The Membership Secretary was MIA unfortunately, but rest assured, he along with the rest of the Committee were voted in again. It was unanimously agreed that we approach York Pullman for their services again this season. The next monthly branch meeting will be held on Sunday August 12th 8pm at the Londesborough Club, Bower Road, Harrogate. Current and prospective members all welcome.

Membership

Renewals and new membership applications are currently being taken. The cost remains at £7 for an adult, over 65s and under 18s are free. Forms are available on the bus at away games or via the email and postal addresses on the home page of this website. Please note, you CANNOT be a member of the branch if you are an existing member of another LUSC branch, sorry, those are the rules. Membership of our branch entitles you to very reasonably priced travel on our bus to away games and assistance with ordering your away ticket, if you do not have access to a computer or smartphone or the time to order them when they go on sale. In order for us to order you a ticket, you MUST have a Leeds United customer number, and when required, the correct number of loyalty games to qualify for a ticket. There were some bizarre rumours that we could magic up tickets at random. If this were possible, I would be a very rich man. Unfortunately, like Topol, I am not.

As a member, you are entitled to attend any of the fortnightly LUSC exec meetings, which are held at Elland Road, and are able to take part in the LUSC Annual Quiz, LUSC Annual Dinner and also participate in the three prize draw events which are part of the LUSC Player Sponsorship Deal. These are the training day with the players, the Players Sponsors Lunch and the Hospitality tickets for a game at the end of the season. The LUSC is a group which does what it says – supports Leeds United. We are a like minded group of people who have no political nor monetary agenda, we basically support the Club in whatever way we can, mostly by running buses to fixtures and providing a meeting point for people around the country and the world. Any further information about the LUSC, can be found at www.leedsunitedsupportersclub.org.uk

The only other benefit which being a member of Harrogate & District LUSC has, is the access to the closed facebook group of Harrogate& District LUSC. This group is strictly for paid up branch members only, with a few exceptions for “legacy” branch members.

Away games

We are currently waiting for York Pullman to provide a quote for this seasons requirements.

The branch will be running buses to most of the away games this season ( attempting to at least). We are currently taking bookings for Derby and Swansea. Departure times and ticketing details will be posted on the public facebook page with as much notice as possible. As always, branch members will take priority over non branch members for seats on the bus, where required, seats will be allocated on basis of previous matches travelled to on the coach.

A.O.B

Up to press, according to Google Analytics, the website is still being regularly viewed. If anyone from the branch would like to submit anything, please get in touch. The MPO is very busy, and anyone who is willing, is more than welcome.

LUSC programme page – if any branch member has anything which they would like to on the programme page, please get in touch with the MPO for details.

There will be a very welcome return to Elland Road from our ex scottish, now Australian friends Alan and Simon Barker for the Rotherham game. As some of you are aware Simon was involved in a very serious accident last year and coming back to Leeds was one of his goals.  We are planning a pre match meal and then post match wander round Leeds’s best pubs afterwards. Anyone who wishes to meet up with the party of five ( Houstie, Bep and Marsh are also coming down from Falkirk), please get in touch.

 

Just before the end of the season there was chatter about safe standing again. The other week, when there were more important things going on in Parliament, the issue regarding rail seating again was raised. Apparently it has the backing of the opposition now. In my own personal opinion this discussion, in the current climate, is rather distasteful as there are still proceedings taking place regarding the involvement of certain law enforcement groups / former officials of the club / retired law enforcement officers etc. in the terrible tragedy at Hillsborough, their “handling” of the aftermath and the subsequent “inquiries” since. For me, and I stress that this is my own view, until these proceedings are over and done with, complete with a concise investigation and it’s conclusions drawn, this discussion should not take place.

Whilst I am aware that my view goes against the view of the vocal groups backing the return of terracing and the makers of rail seating, I think the discussion should be more focused on supporters being allowed to have the right to choose whether they want sections of their grounds made into terracing or rail seating. As this is what it will boil down to in the end. Currently the law states that grounds must be all seater, to comply with the safety regulations. If rail seating is agreed, the clubs will have to spend money to convert whichever areas they choose to designate the safe standing area. This will cost money, which undoubtedly will be passed onto us, the paying fans, and it may cost some their seats. Some supporters have had their seats for decades, some will be very attached to their “seat” and may not be too happy to be usurped by the vocal minority. Before anyone jumps down my throat about rail seating increasing the capacity – it doesn’t make much difference, so clubs won’t be raking it in on extra ticket sales, we, the supporters, will bear that cost. I wonder in the eventuality of the club suddenly announcing it is happening, whether they will face another onslaught of change.org?

Hence, make your choice… even though I couldn’t resist putting a picture of the long gone Jiggy up.

The choice of whether to stand or sit for regular away travellers is basically a thing of the past, there is no choice. Let’s face it, for those fans who don’t have the stamina to stand up for 90 minutes, away games are difficult. There aren’t really the facilities in stadia now where the less able amongst us can have a perch. Yes, there are supposed to be “ambulant disabled” areas, but those tickets, like the disabled tickets are like gold dust. This is especially bad at away grounds with small capacities, (how pleased was I that Burton got relegated!) or grounds where our allocation has been reduced due to the police or the home clubs restrictions. Before we start with safe standing, how about we concentrate on safe seating? (see next blog)

We are all getting that little bit older, but just because our bodies can’t take it, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t still the best supporters in the land. We can look back on the old black and white photos and footage of 100,000+ crowds of fans (mostly men) of varying ages crammed into packed stands at Cup finals. When Cup finals meant something , of course (moot point). But in those days there was an element of respect, respect of our seniors and our peers and that little bit of common courtesy for those less able. Sadly, that common courtesy and unselfishness, is sadly lacking in the “modern” era of football. Celebrations of goal scoring have moved on from the cheering and clapping of players to throwing yourself and others around like rag dolls, resulting in flailing arms and legs rippling down the rather steep stands (Norwich for example) with a domino like effect. So whilst the initiators have a jolly good time, someone down the stand ends up with more serious injuries, like I said common courtesy, self awareness and responsibility for your actions….

Fan bases have also changed. More and more children are being encouraged to watch the sport, in hope that they can be put on the straight and narrow, before the peer pressures from their mates to follow the “popular” teams takes hold. The younger dads (and mothers!) want to take young children, but safety for a 5 year old is very different from that of a 15 year old. If the parent has a ticket in the Kop or the South Stand, would they want their small child to be caught up in a crush? The older amongst us will remember that crush, the feeling of being caught in a wave, until you ended up being stuck against the barrier with the weight of fifty or more people on top of you. The wiser amongst us stood at the back or on the peripheries, the foolhardy and brave in the middle, the one who stood at the barrier was someone who would do it once and never again! Rail seating apparently negates that crush, but judging by the surges currently happening at away games where the stewards are supposed to ensure everyone stays in their seat, I can’t see that it will make any difference.

Then there are those who aren’t actually watching the game, they are just out for a “day out” which will involve alcohol (the throwing around of rather than actually drinking it), possibly illegal substances, constant slagging off a particular player or players, or the manager, or the owner, shouting abuse at the opposition fans and players, arguing with people around them who don’t agree with what they are saying and generally not watching anything that is going on the pitch itself. These people weren’t around in the football grounds of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s as money was wiser spent then and drink, well let’s just say drink wasn’t wasted in those days. Needless to say, these people aren’t supporting their team.

I can understand that some may think that rail seating will create a better atmosphere. My reply to that would be playing good football and winning games creates a better atmosphere. Millwall at home last season, down to 10 men and 3-2 up with 4 minutes (which ended up as 6 minutes) to go, was a brilliant atmosphere. Every man, woman and child was behind the team believing that we could do it, even though we didn’t hold out in the end. Supporting your team and getting behind the team- that’s what creates a good atmosphere.

I was lucky enough to be at the game against 1860 decades ago, so I have first hand experience of rail seating. Celtic already have rail seating as they are not bound by the English Football regulations, I can’t say that I am aware of anyone constantly crowing on about how brilliant the atmosphere is at grounds with rail seating. In fact if the popular press is to be believed, the best atmosphere at a football game is to be experienced in the very sterile atmosphere of the premier league of all places! I have been lucky enough to have been to the Nou Camp, the Bernabeu, the Mestella, the Vincente Calderon, the Stadio Delle Alpi (before they moved), the Stadio Olimpico, some of the best stadia in Europe (without rail seating), and when the crowd is behind the team, the atmosphere is electric, as it was at Elland Road in the Championship title season and the European / Champions League era.

Just get behind the team, support Leeds United, that’s what we are there for after all, isn’t it? Support your team through thick and thin, or just go do something else. Make your choice

 

 

 

Originally I was going to call this “All I want for August is…” and stick a photo of Mariah Carey on the front, but then I remembered Debbie Harry and this vinyl cover, and I decided it was a much better option. Picture this then (in no particular order)

Promotion to the Premier League as Champions or in second

No messing abaht as they say. No play off rubbish, it never works out and I would much rather not turn up at all, rather than get to the play off final and suffer through watching Leeds United not bother to turn up as they did at Cardiff, Wembley etc.

One manager this season

Sacking someone after a string of defeats doesn’t work, look at poor Heckingbottom last season, just what did that achieve? Should have just kept with TC.

A decent run in the FA and League Cups

This would necessitate fielding a decent side in the first place (see below). It of course actually means respecting the League and FA Cups for being competitive competitions. Games that the first team players don’t necessarily need to play in, but a decent team made up of first team players, subs and the youth team to dispatch the opposition, duly dishing out the 5-0 victory needed to get us in the next round, being suffice.

Fielding a decent side in the League and FA Cup

Self explanatory. See what opposition you get picked and where the game is being played (home or away and proper pitch or lower league mudbath that a hippo wouldn’t be out of place in) . Pick your best side for the team you are playing to get the result required. Pick a team to play in the competition rather than just entering it for the sake of entering a team. I have been reminded by The Secretary that had Monk fielded a proper side against the Scousers, we might have won that game.

Away tickets allocated on loyalty of the last 10 years

Away tickets are always a hot topic for the start of the season, and will be even more so this season with the promise of a new manager (like last season, and the season before…). Given last years terrible problems for the Bolton game and the following games (until we started losing that is!) , I see this as the only way forward. The last few games last season were testament to how fickle fans can be, noticeably fewer away fans at Fulham, Preston (nearly 7k sell out last season), Villa and Norwich. As far as I and many others are concerned, if you bothered going to the games when we were really poor, you should be rewarded for that loyalty over and aboard those who can afford to pay the extra up front payment.  I could go on, but I said enough last season about this.

Appropriate use of our Youth side

We have a good set up, our youth team should be utilised better. They should be brought up through the ranks (given a chance in the Cup games) and not sold off or farmed out to lower league teams.

Sensible decision making when picking the team

It was said that Don Revie used to have copious notes on each team to make sure he knew the best team to play against the opposition. The Championship is mainly full of huge defenders, midfielders who challenge hard for the ball and teams who play “the modern game” of one up front. If the opposition is known for hoofing the ball up to a lone target man, stick two men on the striker. If the midfield is slow and lumbering, put your paciest wingers on and try the trickery. Change the strategy accordingly and have the balls to substitute your players if it isn’t going your way, and do it early. There is no point waiting til 80 minutes and then putting on an attacking midfielder, is there?

Players who can play for 90 minutes (give or take another 5 or 6 mins)

It is a game of 90 minutes plus whatever the ref adds on. 90 minutes a week, and on occasion there might be two games in a week depending on Cup ties etc (use the Youth Team to help out – see above). Take Millwall last season, 3-2 up with 4 minutes to go. Yes we were down to 10 men, but we should have held out for the extra minutes which were added on as a result of The South Stand behaving like children and not giving the ball back.

Less red cards than last season

Carrying on from above, 90 minutes of keeping your head when all around are losing theirs (poetic licence notwithstanding). Reckless and some needless challenges cost us much last season. The rest of the league sussed us out, with sufficient cheating, continual bad fouls, poor ref decisions etc. they could rile us and get the advantage of the extra man by just tipping us over the edge.

Football to be just about 90 minutes (plus extra time) on the pitch

Keyboard warriors / persons with over inflated egos and /or delusions of grandeur and self importance have ruined our last few seasons. It is about what goes on the pitch and that’s what we should be concentrating on. Whilst I am all for freedom of speech and everyone has the right to voice their own opinions, social media point scoring because you get the most hits or views or whatever the latest fad is, takes time away from the most important thing, which is surely supporting Leeds United?

Just one home strip and one away strip 

Stop fleecing the poor people who actually want to buy the shirts or are pressured into getting one either by peer pressure or for children to keep them on the straight and narrow.

No winter break EVER

This is England, or Wales if you are a Swansea fan. Just get on with it. Plus what about global warming? It’s supposed to be getting warmer- right? Or were the scientists in the 70s correct in the first place? Is  there really is going to be an ice age? We know what this is all about, money spinning games in the Far East and US, just the FA lying through their smug, over paid, white, middle aged, fat cat, dodgy deals dental plan on us (the plebs) teeth.

Football on Saturday afternoons at 3pm

Unless it is a Bank Holiday of course. When was the last time we played at home on August Bank holiday weekend?

Firstly, thanks need to go to Big Mark (Mark Byrne) for all his efforts sorting out the website in the early stages and in the last month or so. Regular readers may have noticed that the website had disappeared for  a few weeks in April. Unbeknowingly, we had forgot to do the necessaries regarding renewing the website etc. All sorted now though, thanks to Mark and the MPO.

May Update as follows:

Monthly Branch Meeting

Due to our failure to achieve play offs – let alone promotion, there was no monthly branch meeting in May.

Away Games

Our last away game at Norwich at the end of April was attended by a decent number of our usual travellers, despite our poor form. The rain did not dampen our spirits and I would personally like to thank everyone who contributed to the whip round. Our plans seemed to be thwarted initially, but the pub we ended up in was the much better option.

Memberships

Memberships will reopen soon. The branch would like to save on costs by emailing the renewal forms out, however, if you would like a renewal form in the post, please can you let The Secretary know in good time. Alternatively, renewal forms will be available at the AGM on Sunday July 8th. The membership fee remains at £7 for adults, free for over 65s and under 18s. New members, as always, are welcome but you must fill in a new membership form, sign it and provide us with two passport sized photographs for your LUSC ID card. When the forms are processed by The Membership Secretary, you will either receive your card through the post if you have given us a stamped addressed envelope, or your card can be retrieved at an away game or a monthly branch meeting.

A.O.B

LUSC Annual Quiz

The Annual LUSC quiz was held in the Eddie Gray Suite at Elland Road on Thursday April 19th. The branch was represented by just two teams this year. Deputy Yates’s team consisting of The Deputy, Dave Rowson, James Proctor and Ricky Greenwood. The Chairman, The Secretary, The MPO and Dave Poole made up the other team. The quiz was a hard fought affair, not involving us though. It was neck and neck between the Griffin branch (usual suspects) and the team from Leeds United. I have to point out that the team from Leeds United included James Mooney, the Leeds press officer Mr Owen (font of all Leeds United knowledge), Eunan O Kane, young Bailey Peacock Farrell, as well as Jamie from the ticket office and Fiona Hanley the SLO. 6 brains are better than 4! The branch came a very respectable 4th and 8th ( I think) . Well done to everyone and thanks to the LUSC exec for organising the event. The pork pies were excellent!

Branch BBQ

The inaugural branch BBQ was held on Saturday May 12th at The Londesborough Club. Our thanks go to The Deputy for volunteering to organise the event in the first place, Dave Poole and Callum Ashworth for their assistance, and Callum Ashworths stepmum for the delicious cake.  Thanks also to the LUSC exec for coming along and Fiona Hanley , Leeds United Supporters Liaison Officer. The pictures are available on the facebook page, however, they will be posted on the Gallery section here at some point in the summer. Once again, thanks to Tony Murray for giving his prize to young Jack Pedel, well done Steve “Wilko” Wilkinson for winning the killer pool tournament. Your trophy is still at The Londesborough Club, safe and sound. A mention has to go out to John (The Ringer) Farrell who beat everyone at ping pong – sorry- table tennis, before he finally fessed up to previously playing in a table tennis league of some sort. Probably not unlike the scenario in the film Balls Of Fury, albeit without Christopher Walken, a team of triad heavies and all the grasshopper jokes.

Branch AGM

The branch AGM will be held on Sunday July 8th at the Londesborough Club, Bower Road, Harrogate. Prospective members are welcome. Come along and find out what the branch is all about. Or at least meet some of the branch members in person. As per usual, any agenda items are welcome and any suggestions, resolutions, proposals etc. MUST be received in writing within 4 weeks of the date of the AGM. This means that if anyone wishes to submit any of the above, you have less than a week to send these requests in, in writing, to The Secretary.

March 2018 monthly branch meeting updates for those who don’t have an e mail address.

Monthly branch meeting

A minutes silence was held before the start of the meeting for long standing member Derek Yates. We all have very fond memories of Derek and his humour and his warm smile will be sadly missed by the branch. Despite the severe weather that day there was a good turn out for his service. Derek always said he would be late for his funeral and surely enough he was. The heavy snow meant the hearse got stuck on the hill and when the car took the family down to Crimple Hall, the car got stuck in the snow on the way out of the car park as well.

The Secretary confirmed that £100 from branch funds had been donated to the Eric Carlile Memorial Fund. The branch has some money in the kitty. This money can be used to help with branch events like the LUSC Annual Quiz, The Annual Dinner and any other events. Dave Poole brought up an idea for an end of season barbecue, details below.

Away Games

Currently taking bookings for Preston and Villa. Given that these games are now midweek thanks to SkyTVisf**kings**talloneword, this means that many branch members will either not be able to attend or not travel on the bus. The branch will still be running buses to these fixtures. Preston is generally a large allocation, Villa is not and hopefully will be on the loyalty tracker. Please book on via the usual channels if you have not done so already. Andy Yates is sorting a minibus to Fulham for people not going on the train, I think the trip is full.

Memberships

The Membership Secretary was MIA as per usual, but has been spotted in Harrogate this week and last.

A.O.B

Branch Barbeque on the afternoon of Saturday May 12th at the Londesborough Club. Branch members all welcome to celebrate the end of the season with a stiff drink or two.

LUSC Annual Quiz is Thursday April 19th 7.00 for prompt 8.00pm start. Pie and peas supper. The branch will pay for the entrance fee and also drinks. The branch will also look to arranging transport for anyone coming over from Harrogate and taxis contributions for those coming from other parts of the district. We had three teams last year and although we didn’t win any trophies, it was a good evening out and we did well considering how hard the questions were. May need to brush up on those squad numbers before the day before the quiz though.