November 2026 update including the monthly branch meeting held on Sunday 1st November 2026 at the Londesborough Club.

Monthly branch meeting.

The new 6pm start time is starting to attract a few more attendees which is good. As it’s getting darker and colder on a night, we will continue to meet at 6pm, just we so can get home quicker! Trish from the Londesborough agrees!

The minutes from several LUSC exec meetings were read out. Members of the Committee will be attending a celebration of life for Dave Gaertner on Weds 11th November. Dave was a very active member of the LUSC in the 90s / 00s he helped out with the old Elland Road Roar, the LUSC fanzine from days gone by. He helped set up the LUSC website and was always seen with Phil Beeton in the trailer matchdays. Dave was a really nice bloke and will be sorely missed.

The Wilko 92 project is gaining traction. There’s still a lot to do to raise funds but the LUSC are working with Dave Tomlinson, who has been attending the LUSC exec zoom meetings.

The LUSC Thorp Arch visit was oversubscribed as usual, but the day was very enjoyable. An article on the programme page from the day will be done and hopefully this long standing event will continue to be honoured. Chris Bowes from our branch was in attendance, we have a couple of photos which will be on this post.

There will be LUSC Christmas cards this year. John Mann has secured a nice picture from the YEP I think. See below further details. A new branch has been set up from Waterford in Ireland

Memberships

We are still getting new members enquiries, whether via our own website / facebook / word of mouth. Quite a few from people who are new to Harrogate and some old members returning. At least it keeps the Membership Secretary busy. We will look to increase our visibility to optimise this (see below AOB). More cards are being ordered as we speak from the Exec. Cards will be returned once processed by Roy, provided there is a self addressed stamped envelope. Otherwise pick up at away games or at the Holbeck Club home games, pre and post match.

Away Games

We ran trips to Arsenal (with our friends from Bradford 2011 LUSC) and Sunderland on our own. No coach to Bournemouth due to lack of tickets. Still had good day out at Bournemouth by the seaside. It might well be that the pattern is that we share to the longer aways and run our own to the local ones. This is very dependent on tickets. Please can all branch members remember to put themselves in for the ballots. They’ll be reminders on the closed groups and mailing list, just in case people forget which days to order on. The branch will always aim to be cheaper than the Leeds travelclub.

Pick ups Knaresborough (Marquis of Granby), Starbeck, The Skipton, Coach Stand Fat Badger and Leeds The Palace Pub. Pick up at Unity Club, Little Horton, Bradford also.

Treasurer’s report

No serious losses of late. Still very dependent on tickets. Bank balance is in reasonable nick. Should be able to afford the Player  Sponsorship this season, unless it goes up dramatically.

Website

From last months discussion, we will aim to contact our developer and let him know our decision about updating the website. It is now fully functional, and just needs articles etc. doing regularly. As Jamie said, there is 12 years of stuff on there which people are still looking at, according to the analytics, so it would be a shame to bin it. All articles require a bit of time to do. There’s plenty of stuff to write about, just not enough time to do it in. As Nmecha’s sponsor there is a link to our website, so there may well be traffic / interest generated from this. There are NO plans to expand on social media other than facebook or the website. It’s more than enough.

A.O.B.

Chairman’s efforts

Chairman Charley’s contribution to the Billy Bremner statue fund was in the programme. Charley kindly donated a item of memorabilia to Heidi Haigh on behalf of the branch to be used as a raffle item to help raise funds.

Christmas cards

Christmas cards. We will aim to sell them at 50p per card. The cards are always great quality cards, and very good for sending out to Leeds fans and people who don’t like Leeds, just to annoy them. As soon as they are available we will get some off the LUSC.

Fixture lists

Fixture lists from LUSC are now available. There will be a stack left at the Holbeck club and the Londesborough behind the bar. Otherwise available from us at aways / in the ground.

Branch visibility

After years of trying to avoid all this publicity, we now need to seriously think about embracing it, like the Chairman. Facebook has been sending messages regarding monetisation of the page. This is clearly a hint that the facebook interactions are worthy of being monetised. The post of Messrs Littlefair, Sharp and Stephenson at West Ham racked up nearly 15k views. I’m not altogether sure of whether that was Mr Sharp looking at it continuously though.

As you are aware, the agreement is that the Chairman, Charley Megginson deals with the publicity on facebook. Mainly because he has the time to do so, and in recent years has gained the knowledge and expertise on how to best interact with social media to benefit the branch and other Leeds United fans. Although we joke about this, it is in fact quite serious. Charley has amassed many followers on noseybook and maxxed out his friends capacity. The Secretary and the Comms Officer are not as proactive and certainly not as prolific when it comes to promoting the branch.

Raising the profile

As it stands, it appears we are wasting opportunities to promote the branch and the wider LUSC. We may also be squandering opportunities to increase the membership.

As voted by the meeting, we will look towards sponsorship opportunities to help promote the branch. The Comms Officer will also stop ignoring the messages from Facebook regarding monetisation, and be more proactive about this. Obviously, the branch remains a non profit organisation, however, any monies generated will go towards things like continuing to subsidise travel to away games. Subsidising brekkies at the pubstops, looking at funding for the end of season events e.g.the Annual BBQ, helping towards costs at LUSC events e.g the Annual Quiz.

More importantly, we will look to donating towards worthy causes, like the Annual Christmas Dinner organised by Bruce Reid, and also the end of season donation to St Michael’s Hospice.

***If any branch member is keen to assist with fundraising activities, please contact us***

Player sponsorship

According to the Sponsorship page in the programme, we are still sponsoring Lukas Nmecha. We are still awaiting a reply to confirm this and also an invoice. Also still waiting for the benefits package from last year’s sponsorship, which should be a signed shirt, which we will look to raffle off to a branch member for Christmas.

Chris and Archie’s Big Day Out

Pictured is Archie (Chris Bowes’s nephew) at the Thorp Arch LUSC Day with Jean – Matteo Bahoya. Archie and Chris had a brilliant day watching the players training and then got a chance to meet up with them for photos / autographs etc. This is the picture Chris requested to be on the website. It is excellent that Leeds United continue to uphold this LUSC event to get more youngsters interested in Leeds early, to promote the next generation of dedicated Leeds fans. On On On.

Always Leeds Always Loyal

 

 

 

Now we are back to normal, here is the September 2026 update / monthly branch meeting minutes.

Monthly branch Meeting

The Chairman opened the branch meeting with it’s new start time of 6pm. This change from the old 8pm meeting time was discussed at the last branch meeting. It was decided that there was never a particular reason for the 8pm time. 6pm kick off meant that even though The Chairman would have to change his usual Sunday teatime, it may be easier for the further flung branch members to attend.

Minutes from LUSC exec

The Secretary read out the minutes from the LUSC exec meetings. There has been much debate about the changes in the home ticket sales. It was pointed out that this would affect families in the main who are in different categories for the sale. i.e if parents are in the priority group but their children are newer members, this would mean they would struggle to all be seated together. The difference between consultation and just disseminated information was discussed. All are in agreement that there is disappointment across the board about how this has been implemented and the lack of actual consultation.

Wilko 92 fundraising. In the current difficult economic climate, it has been a bit of a struggle to raise funds for the statue. This has been impacted by lots of events involving the title winning ex players, but not necessarily contributing to the fund itself. LUSC are discussing with Dave Tomlinson ways in which the LUSC can assist with organising events etc.

Concerns raised re booking parking at ER and parking / travel in general to home games due to pre booked cashless system.

New branch in Rothwell – Angel Whites welcomed.

Interbranch transfers were discussed

Memberships

Good response so far. Almost 100 renewals, which is good considering it’s school holidays still and people are away. We will aim to meet up with the Membership Secretary for a curry next week or so to retrieve the forms and cards which have not got a stamped self addressed envelope. New enquiries / members all the time now from the website.

Treasurer

£20 paid for website updates (see AOB).

Made a surplus over the two Forest games, but hefty deficit at Brighton. But the bank still looking good.

Away travel

Like several other organisations, insufficient demand has meant that the usual coach travel to Chelski in the League Cup has been abandoned. Diesel costs (and therefore coach costs) and time off work etc (especially after long away to Brighton) have impacted the decision. As with last season any branch members who have asked for assistance to this game have been signposted to other official LUSC branches. We will continue to try run / organise official branch coach travel to all away games this season. As has happened frequently in the past when we weren’t very good etc, we will be sharing with other LUSC branches to make sure official LUSC travel is available to all branch members.

A.O.B

We have banned an individual for failing to honour a coach booking.

Steve Smith discussed Scottish clubs seemingly being the best choice for the card.

The future of website was discussed at length. The website is now 12+ years old and realistically no one thought it would still be going. However, it has proved very successful in increasing our profile in Harrogate and resulted in quite a few new members. There is s steady stream of enquiries throughout the season and it was decided that we should continue with it. It needs updating as it is an old format. Pricing was discussed, and it was decided that the branch should go ahead and look to getting the updates required to continue for another few years at least.

The return to a London Weekender was discussed.

Facebook Closed group / email list

In the next few weeks the closed group will be reviewed. Currently the closed group is used to disseminate information re away travel / ticket sale dates / meetings / raffles etc.  It also updates people who are not attending games to where the games can be watched. We will look to changing the way away travel information is made available to reduce duplication and ensure the correct information goes to the correct individuals. The email list etc. does tend to get cluttered as does facebook and it does become quite time consuming. We also get many many requests to join the closed group and restricting it to just branch members may need to be changed. It will go through a trial revamping period.

Cheers to the new season from the Chairman

 

July 2025 update

Just to remind folks, the main LUSC AGM will be held on Sunday 6th July 2025. Billy Bremner Suite (West Stand) . 11.30am arrival for 12 noon prompt start. Our president Josh Warrington will be present. It’s your LUSC AGM, so come along and hear what is going on with it all.

Our own Harrogate & District LUSC AGM will be 7 hours later. So Sunday 6th July 2025 7.30pm arrival for 8pm prompt start please.

Renewal / new members forms

Renewal forms will be available on the night. Otherwise please check your inboxes for email version, and whenever Harrogate posties deign to deliver your letters, hard copies will be sent out soon.

Apologies for the delay. As usual, we have been very busy this summer in paid employment, and there’s been a few technical issues.

Please remember you need to fill in a renewal form EVERY year and pay subs (still only £7 as it stand today) as required.

New members are welcome, but you need to contact us for a NEW members form. This needs to be filled in and returned with two passport sized photographs please and the necessary subs if applicable. We will email one out to you or will send one in the post if you provide a snail mail address.

Social media

We will NOT accept or send out friend requests for you oldies on facebook, purely because we have attempted hackings continuously. The public page is open to all. The closed group is really only for paid up branch members and only has info on departure times etc and events. So, if you intend to participate in any events or are lucky enough to get a ticket to an away game, you’re in. Otherwise there is no need to ask to be on that group. You might get someone randomly inviting you, but until someone else takes over the running of the page (and the hacking attempts) I won’t accept you.

If you are a paid up / signed up member, and I have forgotten you. Please get in touch and let me know. If I haven’t included you on the email list, again let me know. I am only human and prone to mistakes.

We aren’t on any other social media platforms. Not enough time in the day!

Cheers. Back in the PL!

GDB

 

March 2025 sees us start with a draw against West Brom.

It was back to playing the ball out from the back again, but given our two games against Sunderland and T’Blades, it’s not so bad. It is still average 2 points per game.

Monthly branch meeting

This was held on Sunday March 2nd at the Londesborough Club. The usual minutes from the LUSC execs were read out, as well as the SAB minutes and notes. The Football Governance Bill is still being discussed in Parliament. It is now at the House of Lords at the Report Stage. Dave says that he isn’t sure whether anything will change as there is so much money involved. There is always hope that it might stop another Bury event, but remember, it is the hope that kills.

There was a discussion regarding the pre-season friendlies. Angus was evidently in with the away fans at T’Blades and was apparently hinting about a trip to Helsinki and then a game against Sc*m or Rangers. We weren’t sure if this was before or after he went to the bogs at half time, and if anyone had offered him anything. I’d hazard a guess that until the actual pre seasons are announced, there isn’t any point planning anything. Given it is still March 2025, there is plenty of time to plan.

Away games

There’s been a dearth of tickets lately. It is basically luck of the draw in all the sales. we just haven’t been very lucky! Despite being 120 in the queue for QPR, the cupboard was bare! Bear in mind, we used to get that whole end for QPR (crap view that is is) but the allocation’s now restricted due to QPR not selling the lower tier anymore. Apparently we are also being limited by previous bad behaviour. We are managing to pick up passengers requiring travel, so funds are ok as it stands. But with Luton and Oxford looming imminently, the bank is going to be severely depleted by April. Luckily, we decided not to run a bus to Plymouth ages ago.

Memberships

We will be looking to stop memberships at the end March, as the season will hopefully be drawing to a close by then. The website is still attracting members. If there is more stuff on there to read, it may prove even more valuable. Hint to anyone who wants to contribute articles / pieces!!!

A.O.B

The quiz!

Thank you for everyone who has got back to us. The LUSC Annual Quiz is a good laugh and there will be a raffle for a signed Leeds shirt from 2016/17 donated by our President Josh Warrington. The teams are as follows:

Chairman Charley, Steve Smith, Dargs and Acid

Andy Yates, Rob Cartman, Ricky Greenwood and James Proctor

The Tovey and Barry team

Smuff, Max Littlefair, Ben Simpson and possibly Paul Ingles

Ripon Mark, Leoni and Jane Parkin and Maz (or Emily if he can’t make it)

The Secretary, gdb, Dave Poole and Peter Hart

Ripon Kev, Jordan, Morro and Adam (Dougie’s lad) from Ripon.

Sponsorship Hospitality Tickets

Still awaiting confirmation, but hopefully, it’s the Swansea game on Saturday 29th March 2025 3pm. SkyTVisf**kings**t have announced their televised games, and it isn’t one of them. Tickets available from Andy or The Secretary at £1 each. Will draw the winner nearer QPR game. Good luck everyone!

Annual Summer BBQ

We will discuss at the next meeting and speak with Trish to see what availability the Londesborough have.

Season tickets

There was something on the Leeds website on Friday. No one has actually clicked on yet to see how much they are. Last year they told us they would be going up again to “equalise” the pricing. I take it it means making things level as opposed to Edward Woodward’s The Equaliser from the 80s or the Denzel Washington latest versions. At least that would make it interesting!

Monthly updates have been scarce. Apologies. Here is the February 2025 update / info from previous monthly branch meetings.

Monthly branch meeting February 2nd 2025

Exec minutes read out and SAB reports.

LUSC sponsored player is now Isaac Schmidt, seeing as Charlie Crew is now at Donnie and Harry Gray wasn’t an allowable option. Leeds United are going to start asking fans re stadium new build, keep eye out for emails etc. Annual quiz will be March on a Thursday night (see AOB). Last year the place was full to bursting, so LUSC need to confirm numbers to ensure enough seating and food. No info yet if there will be any opportunity to do an Thorp Arch children’s event as in previous seasons.

SAB – feedback from Manor Solomon chant, police and EFL say no hate crime etc. but Leeds don’t want people to sing it and season ticket wait list. Club saying not all seats are being filled at home games , so desperate to get bums in seats – sorry get more revenue in from people buying tat from the Club shop and overpriced food and drink. They are warning that you will lose your S/T if you don’t transfer on to a F & F or at least sell it back to the Club if you can’t go / get stuck in traffic. Apparently, even if you seat doesn’t get sold, you will still get some money back, so if you can’t make it, just return it.

Memberships

Numbers still increasing, some from website and some from LUSC website. Need to set a closing date for memberships. We need to set up a meeting with the Membership Secretary soon to retrieve the forms. Reminder that membership forms need to be filled in, and subs paid EVERY year.

Away games

Due to the paucity of tickets, it has been a challenge for some games. Hence the need to raise money re raffles / footie card etc. We will try run buses to every game, bar Plymouth at the end of the season. We will try to get seats on other buses for Plymouth away for members who succeed in getting tickets / away season ticket holders. Pompey will be a struggle. As will Oxford, Luton etc. As of February 2025, realistically there’s probably only Boro left with a decent allocation. We urge EVERYONE to try to log on and get their own tickets, as many hands make light work! We haven’t been doing so well lately. We will still try, but with us doing well, there are more people wanting to go. Even with the likes of T’blades charging £40+.

A.O.B.

Sponsorship

As of February 2025, we are now the proud sponsor of Josuha Guilavogui. The decision had to be taken rather quickly, so The Secretary and gdb took that decision, but it was agreed at a previous meeting that we could. He seems like a nice bloke, I think he donates most of his wages to a orphanage in Guinea in West Africa.

Josuha Guilavogui Foundation

Although he hasn’t started a game yet, he has come on as sub a few times. He might not be here very long, but we haven’t lost a game that he has played in, long may that continue.

As part of the hospitality there may be opportunities to go to an event at ER and of hopefully some Hospitality tickets, which we will open out to all members as usual.

LUSC Annual Quiz

It will be held at ER on Thursday 13th March. Usual pie and pea supper and quiz. I need potential players and team names please asap. I think the Smuff and Littlefair brothers combo did best from our branch last year. Probably as they were sober (or at least the most sober, most of the night). It is a good do. You get to see people who you see at football normally and get to have a chat with some of them. So we would encourage you to attend. It’s the taking part that counts – not the winning! Although that doesn’t negate from people doing a bit of revision! The branch will help towards transport costs and the first round if you get a receipt.

Fundraising

Anyone with any ideas for fundraising, please get in touch. The branch is not for profit, anything we make gets churned back into the branch for events like the quiz, the annual BBQ and any other events that we can organise. We also aim to donate to St Michaels and the Christmas Day event that Bruce Reid organises in Knaresborough. The Alan Sutton event was excellent the other year, as was the 40th anniversary event. I’m sure Andy Yates would appreciate any help. Please try to participate in the raffles / etc.

Monthly branch meeting

This is held on the 1st Sunday of the month (unless we are playing). Please try to attend if you can. This is the only way to keep up to date with what the branch / LUSC etc is doing, and it is your chance to contribute. Not everyone is on social media / contactable, and we are really struggling with away tickets, so just turn up if you can please.

Memberships

PLEASE remember you need to renew EVERY year by filling in a membership form and pay subs (as required). You cannot participate in the events if you are not a member. One form, once a year. That is all. It has been like this every year. For ages.  If you aren’t on the email list, you ned to let us know. Or at least give us a postal address.

We are NOT a ticket service though. We can help you order tickets if you are a F & F and cannot navigate the website, but that is the only way. We try to run a bus to most / all away games, tickets permitting. Tickets are not that easy to come by anymore, now that we are doing well. 10 years ago, away tickets were not a problem. But that was because we were crap, and no one wants to go back to those days ever again.

 

 

 

 

Here’s the slightly delayed September 2024 update.

After a decent end to September, October has had a bit of a poor start.

I have got over Meslier’s mistake (as we all make them) and now fully lay the blame on

a) messing about at the corner flag instead of going for a third goal to kill the game off

b) Bogle’s daft needless foul when there were another 4 Leeds players around him and that guy was going nowhere

c) decision to sub Willy at 95 minutes which extended the game further

Although, realistically Sunderland hadn’t conceded at home all season, let alone let two goals in.

Consequently, I like most, would have taken a draw at kick off. Nevertheless, I just hope we won’t be rueing this result in March. However, it hasn’t been the worse September that we have ever had, Willy is still here. So, as we used to say under Bielsa, we go again. Like Earth, Wind and Fire, we will remember, the 21st night of September.

Monthly Branch Meeting

Thanks to all who turned up. LUSC exec minutes read out as were SAB minutes. Discussions around stadium development were had, Leeds are asking for feedback. Thank God we still have Gnonto. LUSC fixture lists are now available, please remind us if you haven’t got one.

Memberships

Everyone who sent a self addressed stamped envelope with their renewal form should have received their LUSC cards back. The ones who haven’t will get them on the bus at aways (if you are lucky enough to get a ticket!) or in the Holbeck Club matchday or at a monthly branch meeting. The Membership Secretary is processing them as quick as he can.

Away games

Members should continue to inform us if they want to go to aways and we will try help out with ordering tickets for those who have no access to the internet / website on sale days. Members are reminded to book a seat on the bus as soon as a ticket has been secured, as we will try to fill the bus for every game.

Player of The Month

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far for September. It is good that the majority of the branch do vote every month and have their say. Pretty much everyone has voted for Willy, but Firpo has been excellent as has Pascal. Not forgetting top scorer No Piroe, No Party

Leeds United Sponsored Player

Still no news despite several emails. There is a decent amount of money in the bank to pay for it. It just depends how much it has gone up by from last year. It was overwhelmingly decided that it is important for the branch to have a sponsored player. A local born one if possible, but certainly one from the Harrogate & District area.

A.O.B

It was good to see a Wrays bus for Cardiff. I’m sure it brought back some memories from the good old days. There were certainly enough comments on the Noseybook post. One from Malcom Wray himself!

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