Well, I was wrong at the start of the season. We’re not up by February, but we’re 2nd on goal difference and that is better than most people thought we would be. We’ve had a ridiculously bad season for injuries again, Bielsa’s rigorous whip cracking, slave-driving regime, notwithstanding, I blame the pitch and the training facilities (hahahaha – joke honestly). Apologies for no January update, we had the branch meeting late because of QPR in the Cup and then January descended into the usual nightmare of paperwork, IT problems and number crunching as it does. Not to mention the small piece of work that was the charter…. February update cumulative then.

Monthly Branch Meeting

Thanks to everyone who showed up even though there wasn’t any free alcohol this month (January was free drink on the branch month). The majority of the meeting was spent discussing away tickets, the LUSC exec meeting about away tickets and the Charter, and then the Charter. There was an overwhelming majority in favour of option one (publish and be damned) and the branch recorded the vote by the Monday deadline date set. There is very little else to be said about the matter, all we can do is wait and see what happens next season should we get promoted. The branch as always will endeavour to order tickets for the branch members who cannot order them on their own due to work commitments or just general incompetence with technology. I would like to take this opportunity to point out that the myth that we order vast, industrial numbers of tickets to pass on to all and sundry is perpetuated by complete utter total wasters who know f*** all. It is hard enough to get tickets for those who haven’t missed a game for years, and we didn’t get any for Stoke, so please desist. On a lighter note, the Hospitality Raffle prize of two tickets for the Millwall game has commenced. See below in AOB.

Memberships

The Membership Secretary had his evening of drinking ruined by The Chairman, Deputy Yates, Dave Poole and Dave Rowson the other Sunday. The photo attached shows him fully conversant and acknowledging the fact that The Membership Secretary position is for life, not just Christmas. We are still receiving requests to join the branch, but given there are only 3 months left of the season, it seems a bit harsh to charge anyone the £7, so these new memberships forms (as opposed to renewals) will be deferred to next season. In the event of a play off final at Wembley (and if we get any tickets of course) , travel will be run strictly for branch members only, NO EXCEPTIONS. Just a pleasant reminder that EVERYONE needs to fill in a renewal form, EVERY year. Just passing the money onto The Secretary does not guarantee that the form will be filled in, and the Membership Secretary does like to see all those forms. That’s the thing he looks forward to every year, just getting a proper stamped, addressed envelope makes his day.

Away games

Bus times for Boro are available on facebook. Expressions of interest for QPR on Tuesday 26th February will now be accepted. Unfortunately due to the away ticketing situation, it has been very difficult of late, I’m bored with it all now. No further comment. Actually I’m not bored at all, I’m still really hacked off with it. But trying to have proper debate with people who have just decided to start following Leeds again after they cleared off when we dropped to Division 3 (or even earlier) gets tiresome and boring after a while.

A.O.B

The away ticket Charter – what can I say?

Tickets for the Hospitality in the East Stand for the game against Millwall Saturday March 30th were picked up by Dave Poole last Thursday. We have ordered some more and these will hopefully have arrived in time for the Boro game on Saturday. Anyone wishing to enter can contact The Secretary, usual channels, remember STRICTLY LUSC MEMBERS ONLY. £1 per ticket.

Fake news that Ken hasn’t filled in a membership form this season has been quashed by The Secretary. Said form was completed in August and membership card was issued. The Membership Secretary may have been a little flummoxed by Dave thrusting a candle into his face in a Kim Basinger 9 and a half weeks type manner.

Harrogatewhites website is still doing OK. The googleanalytics have been received from Paul Yates and there were 2,058 new users according to the info from Feb 2018 to Feb 2019. So that means about 170+ new people per month. Considering the content is patchy at best, dependent on how busy / annoyed / tired / hungover the MPO is, the figures are pretty darned good. Unfortunately this also means the MPO needs to carry on with it. If anyone wishes to contribute anything, please get in touch via The Secretary.

 

 

 

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas! And, no, it’s not too early as The Chairman has already started to put his Christmas songs on facebook. So there!

Monthly Branch Meeting

Many thanks for all who attended the meeting yesterday at The Londesborough Club. The meeting was started with a minutes silence in memory of our dear friend Des Yates, who left us to join his dad, Paul Madeley, Billy and Don up there.

The Secretary thanked everyone who had put their names down for draw to present Saiz with his LUSC Player of The Season trophy at the QPR game this Saturday. Unfortunately none of the branch members were lucky enough and Phil Barrett from Scarborough LUSC won it and has volunteered the presentation be given to a member of Devon LUSC.

Memberships

The Membership Secretary has been observed skulking around various drinking emporiums in Harrogate by Dave Rowson. The Secretary and The MPO have tentative arrangements to meet him for a spot of tea on Tuesday to ensure that membership paperwork is handed over in a timely fashion. Anyone who has not received their membership cards etc. please get in contact if you do not receive them before Christmas.

Away games

The coach for Bolton is full and there is a wait list for travel. Because of the calamity that is Leeds United ticketing website on free for all day, despite the large (4k+) allocation, we only managed to order a limited amount of tickets. We had originally thought we would be able to take two buses, but given we scarcely got enough for one bus, we are now only taking the 53 seater. Bookings are currently being taken for Villa and Forest. As soon as the ticketing details have been announced, we will let everyone know. Same applies for the up coming FA Cup 3rd round. Seeing as Leeds United have chosen to enter a team, let’s hope they are actually intending on taking part. Participating slightly more than they did in the League Cup. I would like to take this opportunity to say that anyone who is already saying that the League is more important than the FA Cup will obviously NOT want to go to West Ham away or any other glamour side should this be the result of the draw.

A.O.B

The Secretary and The MPO will be at Des’s service on Thursday 6th December. 11.40 at Stonefall and then on to Nineteen Nineteen Venue at Harrogate Town. I am sure that anyone who knew Des through his love of Leeds United, branch members old and new, will be most welcome to give him a good send off.

The MPO won £200 in 250 draw.

The FREE prize draw winners are as below:

431 – Smuff – Leeds United Kappa Snood

422 – Steve Smith – Leeds United boxed pen

433 – Chris Smith – Leeds United key ring (sorry no Strongbow)

494 – Paul Yates –  Leeds United shirt (Andy’s Christmas present sorted then!!)

427 – The Secretary – Leeds United Chocolate Easter Egg (still in date by 3 months) and mug

428 – Dave Poole – Leeds United Snood (No 24)

429 – Dave Rowson – (No lucky number 58 but 29 x 2 is technically 58) Leeds United shirt (Jamie’s Christmas present sorted)

420 – Makaela Rolph – Leeds United training top (hopefully will fit Eva eventually)

421 – Jack Pedel – Leeds United training top

432 – Fozzie – nice boxed Leeds United 1992 Champions Pen

424 – Geoff Howarth – Leeds United Leather Key Ring

435 – Wilko – Leeds United badge key ring

434 – Jakey Wilko Jnr – Leeds United training top

Thank you for everyone who took part

It was voted unanimously that at the next branch meeting in the New Year that everyone who turns up will get a free drink on the branch to cheer in the New Year.

 

 

 

On 17th November 2018 we lost our dear friend Des Yates.

His funeral will be on Thursday 6th December at 11.40am at Stonefall and his wake will be at the 1919 venue at Harrogate Town.

Des has been a Leeds United fan for all his life. He followed us home and away, whenever he could, wherever he could for 55 years. Many of the older branch members will remember him from the days of travelling with Pynes and Murgatroyds, and then with Wrays of Harrogate once the branch was formed in 1982.

As many people have already said, Des never had a bad word to say about anyone, apart from the referee and linesmen! He was Leeds United through and through and always got behind the team, whoever the manager, chairman or players were. As long as they played for Leeds, they got his support.

I remember when they were raising money for Don Revie’s statue and Des and Nicky came along to an event at The Old Peacock with Allan Clarke and a few of the other old League Championship players. Allan Clarke came round to some of the tables and shook Des’s hand. Des was absolutely made up that Allan Clarke had asked to shake his hand. He got a couple of autographs etc. and one of them signed his 1972 replica shirt but just the fact that that Allan had shook his hand was enough for him that night. That’s how much Leeds United mattered to Des.

Most of us will remember Des getting straight off the bus at the pub stop and lighting up the roll up that he had been meticulously rolling on the bus. That’s called getting your priorities sorted! After that, quick one in the pub before a walk to the nearest bookies to put on a couple of quid on a horse or two, and then back to the pub. He loved football and the social side of football, having a drink in the pub and catching up with everyone. In the old days before social media, that’s what we did, talked to each other about the game the week before and what were thinking the game would be like that day. Des knew his stuff and was a constant source of Leeds United stories. Then of course, he was last on the bus, getting the last ciggie in before the trip back home.

We all have our own memories of Des, most if not all will be fond thoughts. Our condolences go to Nicky Horsman, who he called his soul mate, Paul and Andy and the rest of the Yates family.

 

 

 

Apologies for lack of monthly updates, The Chairman Charley slot is taking up far too much time but worth it, I think. Monthly update from the branch meeting held on Sunday 11th November as follows:

Monthly Branch Meeting

Thanks to everyone who showed up yesterday. Minutes from the meetings will be emailed out to the email list. Points arising are mainly regarding the Centenary plans, which will be dealt with in the A.O.B section below. The Player Of The Season prize will be presented pitchside at the QPR game on Saturday 8th December to Saiz. Any branch member who wishes to be put in the ballot to be the one who presents it to him needs to let us know by Weds 21st November. Thanks to Dave Rowson and Makaela Rolph for already asking to represent the branch in this venture. It was pointed out that had Kalvin Phillips been the winner of the trophy, that we excluded Andy Yates from entering it, just in case Kalvin starts to worry. The lucky dip from the Leeds United bag was won by Andy Yates (no surprise there) who selected one of the body fit shirts as his prize. It was agreed that the rest of the Leeds United stuff in the bag would be distributed out Tombola style at the pre Christmas monthly branch meeting. All branch members will be entered into the free draw, provided they get in contact with us to confirm before Friday 30th November (via email/messenger/text) or turn up at the meeting. As each winning ticket is drawn, the winner will have an opportunity to select their prize. If your ticket gets drawn but you are not at the meeting, it will be up to you to arrange to pick up your prize at another convenient time. The Chairman will select your prize for you if you are not available, I suggest being nice to The Chairman in this eventuality.

Memberships

Membership requests are still coming in. The Membership Secretary was seen by Mally at some point this last week and apparently he was also observed allegedly enjoying himself in a bar in Benidorm, according to Dave Rowson. (If you believe that, you’ll believe anything). Any  sightings of the Membership Secretary are welcome. We are hoping to have a teatime meeting with him soon at the curry house with any luck to give him another stack of forms.

Can I take this opportunity to remind folk that you can request to join the closed group of Harrogate & District on facebook, but if you haven’t filled a form in, you don’t stick a chance.

Away Games

It has been a bit busy lately, especially with the run of the two coach games due to the free for all ticket sales at Blackburn and Wigan. Thank you for all your patience. It is not easy sorting out two coaches. Luckily enough when we get to the Premiership the away allocations are so small that this won’t be an issue. We are currently taking bookings for T’Blades and provisional ones for Bolton (as we don’t know the allocation as yet). Thanks to stand in drivers Jamie and Mark, as well as the main man Jonathan for their services.

A.O.B

Centenary Plans

Football tournament 11 a side: We are still awaiting confirmation from Dean re the format of the competition, but the branch definitely has enough for a team and reserves should the schedules be a bit challenging. As soon as we hear back from the Club regarding the dates of the games etc. we will start the ball rolling. We still need to know about kit / officials / venues yet, hoping to hear from the SAB meeting group sooner rather than later.

Football penalty shoot out: Again, waiting confirmation, but we are envisaging that it will be a five man penalty shoot out at half time, run throughout the 2019-20 season at ER. We are hoping that it will go to sudden death if there isn’t a winner after 5 shots each (otherwise we could be there for ever). Depending on how many teams enter, it may not be as simple as winner goes through to next round, but we are hoping that it will be just a knockout competition week by week as it is much simpler. If anyone wishes to help organise this etc. please get in touch with the LUSC exec as many hands make light work.

Programme page

Anyone who has any interesting articles for the Leeds United programme page is welcome to send these in.

Christmas cd

As long as the cd player works on the coach, anyone is welcome to bring their own music for the bus (except Kevin bloody Wilson – Dave Poole!). Can I make a personal request for anyone who has a copy of the Wombling Merry Christmas by The Wombles to let me have it so I can add it to the Christmas cd for Villa. The Chairman informed me that the only thing that kept it from getting to Number 1 in the charts was actually some random song called Bohemian Rhapsody (weird name for a song) by some group called Queen. I have looked it up and according to the Official Charts, it was beaten into 5th place in 1974 by in ascending order 4th Barry White – you’re my first, my last, my everything, 3rd The Rubettes – Juke Box Jive, 2nd Bachman Turner Overdrive – you ain’t seen nothing yet and Number 1 pop pickers, Ken Wood’s favourite glam rock band –  Mud – Lonely This Christmas…. by 29th December 1974 it was Number 2 but technically that’s after Christmas.

 

I while ago, I made a promise that I would write this, in the hope that I would eventually write it. After 12 months, true to my word, I have. Welcome back (home) Simon.

For those of you who are unaware, Harrogate Whites have a long standing affinity with our Scottish neighbours in Falkirk. This goes back some 30 years, when the (young) Branch Secretary made his way up to Falkirk to find some football to watch after one of our games got cancelled in 1989. He found his way to Elliots Pub in Falkirk and was met by some very friendly locals who were a bit surprised that someone would travel so far just to watch a Scottish 1st Division (those were the days) game. A lasting friendship was struck in Elliots that day. Since then, when fixtures have allowed, The Secretary, The Chairman and various branch members, old and new ( Mr Smith, Mr Charles, The Jap, Chris, Sonia and The MPO)  have made many, many sojourns to Brockville (now Morrisions car park) and since 2004, the shiny new Falkirk stadium, to watch The Mighty Bairns. This was reciprocated by the Falkirk faithful, who vice versa, travelled to Leeds, to cheer on the Mighty Whites, when their games were similarly altered. Pre SkyTVis f**kings**t meddling with our games, planning ahead for fitting in Scottish football was easy, now that we are permanently on the telly, recent trips have been scarce.

You cannot put a number to the many happy memories of day trips and rough mornings after late nights at Elliots (aka the Graeme Hotel) and The Red Lion at Larbert (now a chinese emporium) in the fantastic company of our Falkirk family, led by the inimitable motormouth Brian “your team’s shite” Stuart. Now there’s a man who knows how to run a football bus or three! The people of Falkirk simply refer to us as ” The Leeds” and have welcomed us with open arms at every establishment and watering hole for decades. Not just at Elliots, but to name just a few, Behind The Wall, The Tav, The Drookit Duck, Noors (home of the midnight munchy box) and of course The Mill Inn (Chris and Sonia’s favourite) second only to The Co-op. Probably should mention and thank the usual suspects, Andrew (Bodger) and Matty Gardner, Fraser (Housty), Davy Bell, Evil Dave, Ross and young George, Norrie, Bep, Dak (incl. everyone connected with nU2), Lesley, Des, Stevie, The Seals, Brian Flynn from BTW, Big Willy, Lieutenant Stardust , Billy, Wheezy, Munroe, Marsh, Derek (incl Razur Cuts) etc. etc. for their excellent company. Not forgetting the big man himself, Brian Stuart, and old Jim and the staff at Elliots. I have missed out many more but you all know that you have been a big part of our lives. I just need to finish with the Quote of The Century by Bep, ” I just had a Brian Stuart 15 minute tirade, he must have said a million words, of which I understood  10″.

So, to Simon.

Simon Barker is 21 and has been a Leeds United fan all his life. Simon was affectionately known as “Wee Jinxie” in his younger days for his uncanny ability to end a team’s winning run, just by purely turning up. Simon bore his tag with good humour, or at least as much as he could, whilst being surrounded by his merry father, Alan Barker, and his dad’s (even merrier) mates. As he grew up, the curse lifted and basically since the age of about 8, Simon has been the responsible adult in the group, supervising the trips from Falkirk to Leeds. After we won promotion against Bristol Rovers, Simon had to escort his father off the pitch. Alan was further reprimanded by another Simon,  Mr Simon Grayson, for his efforts that day, when Leeds played Falkirk in a friendly later that year. As a mark of Simon’s dedication as his father’s carer, he would benefit from periodic gifts from us, of Leeds United and LUSC memorabilia in the form of badges, wallets, scarves and copies of TSB and programmes etc. This has continued, despite the thousands of miles between us, after Alan decided to emigrate to Australia in 2013.

In July 2017, we received the sad news that Simon had been involved in a road traffic accident in Queensland. We were told he was in a coma and may not make it. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury and was treated at the roadside for an hour before he was stable enough to be moved to the Intensive Care Unit at Gold Coast University Hospital. Simon underwent 7 hours of brain surgery to treat the bleeding and swelling on his brain. He also sustained a broken neck, a ruptured spleen, blood clots on his lungs as well as the fact that most of his skull was missing. Simon was in a coma for the best part of four weeks.  Alan kept us updated, but Simon couldn’t speak, eat or hardly move and at the time, all we could do was send our thoughts to Alan, mum Linda and his sister Grace. In late August 2017, Simon was moved to the Brain Injury Rehab Unit in Brisbane, where he has learnt to walk and talk again. We, and most of the Falkirk family, were kept updated with photos on social media and #teamsimon. In September 2017, Simon was discharged home from hospital, with a view to returning for another operation to repair the skull damage. This operation was completed in May 2018, and as promised whilst Simon was in ICU, Alan is bringing Simon back to the UK, back to Falkirk, and more importantly, back to Elland Road.

Simon and his family have been through so much in the last 12 months, they have battled through it with courage and bravery. Hopefully if all goes to plan, Simon and Alan, along with a few more of the Falkirk Crew, will be here on August 18th for the Rotherham game. Last season, when the new (figure fitting) shirts came out, we sent one out to Simon, along with a few other treasures, and a scarf (!) in the post. It eventually got to him in November 2017 via snail mail. Alan said he wore it straight away and then asked for it to be washed, so he could wear it the next day as well. We received a video of Simon, thanking us for his gifts and an out-take of it. I have it on good faith that this was the first time Simon had laughed so much since his accident.

On behalf of Alan and his family, the branch would like to thank Phil (first man on the scene) and Queensland Emergency Services, the surgeons and staff at Gold Coast University Hospital Intensive Care Unit and all the staff at Brisbane Brain Injury Rehab Unit without whom Simon would simply not be here.

The montage of pictures below have been kindly used, with Alan’s permission, to show Simon’s courage in battling through this last year, and just how much it means to be Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. Welcome back, Simon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.