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.

Leeds Leeds Leeds

Alan and Grace taking Simon for a spin

Ready and raring to go

Walking on his own

The cop who saved Simon’s life. Thank you Sir.

May 2018

Awake after skull op

Thanks to the players and staff at Falkirk Football Club. #TEAMSIMON

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.

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.

Monthly Branch Meeting

Meeting was held on February 4th 2018 at the Londesborough Club. There was much discussion regarding Eric Carlile, which will be covered in AOB. There was also discussion regarding the (failed) launch of the new badge and badgers. There was no discussion regarding the new manager, as it wasn’t until after the meeting that Thomas Christiansen was sacked. We would like to point out that his sacking was nothing to do with us.

Away Games

The bus for T’Blades is currently full with a waiting list. We are still taking bookings for Derby on Weds 20th for anyone wanting a nice afternoon out. The branch will be running a bus to the Boro game on the Friday, ticket details have yet to be released by Leeds United.

Memberships

The Membership Secretary was last seen out at the funeral of Guy Bernard.

A.O.B

The Eric Carlile Memorial Fund

The LUSC have agreed to start the Eric Carlile Memorial Fund. There was much discussion regarding how this fund should be used, whether it be on a trophy to be awarded at the LUSC Annual Dinner or some other award. The branch have suggested a memorial plaque at Elland Road, but this needs to be agreed at the LUSC exec meeting and there needs to be discussion with Leeds United to see if this is possible in the first instance. The branch has agreed to donate £100 of branch funds towards this and any other personal contributions will be most welcome.

R2 Football Special Buses

Dave Poole reported that the shuttle bus service after the home games has improved immensely. Dave first raised this issue two home games ago when the queue in the compound to get back into Leeds post match was horrendous. Glen had also previously raised this issue as well. This was taken to the LUSC exec meeting in January and a reply was received from Fiona Hanley (Supporters Liaison Officer) in the form of an email from First Buses saying that they (First Buses) thought the service was fine and would only change it if the police advised them or if we got promoted. The MPO sent Fiona an email and also raised it as an issue for the next Supporters Advisory Board (SAB) meeting, which was due to be held at the Cardiff game. The SAB meeting did not happen, due to badges/badgers/change.org however, it seems that the message did get through and since then the R2 Football special bus service has improved. The MPO would like to point out that Dave Poole has now had his TV fixed in the North East Corner and his bus service sorted, so given the 3 times a charm rule, his next request should be automatic promotion and a Champions League place.

This is possibly one of the hardest things I will ever have to write, but it is impossible for the branch not to pay tribute to this fine gentleman. I hope these few words will do him justice. There have already been many tributes to this true Leeds United legend, with many more undoubtedly to come in the next few days. I thought the radio interview with Adam Pope on Radio Leeds with LUSC Co Chair Phil Beeton and friend Dave Gaertner was brilliant. It just shows the high regard that BBC Radio Leeds held for Eric, and acknowledges how important Eric was to Leeds United. Thank you Adam Pope. The photo below is the last one I took of him at the LUSC Annual Dinner last year, where he was more popular than most of the guests that had been invited, such was the respect that he commanded.

Eric Carlile was the loyalest Leeds United fan I have ever met in my entire life.

It was a honour to meet him and a priviledge to call him my friend.

He was one of the most unassuming, friendly, amenable, affable and down to earth people you could ever meet. He worked relentlessly on behalf of his fellow Leeds United fans, to make sure that we could follow our beloved club, at least until the world stops going round.

He would literally bend over backwards for any fellow Leeds fan who wanted to see a game. He was happy to have a constant stream of people at his flat picking up away tickets in the good old days when the Club respected the efforts of the LUSC. In the days of landline phones attached to the wall and relying on Royal Mail, if you desperately wanted a Leeds United ticket, Eric was The Man Who Can. He managed to maintain contacts with our famous world wide fan base (mostly by hand written letters), and was instrumental in helping Leeds United fans truly unite in all four corners of the globe.

Even when he gave up his post as LUSC Secretary, he was still a veritable feast of knowledge and would happily spend time reminiscing about the old days and commenting on the new. He was a sharp as tack and could remember virtually every game he saw and every manager, Chairman and branch secretary that he had ever met. He never had a bad word to say about anybody, even when I tried to draw him over our old Ex Owner Ken, and that takes some doing. I also had some fine conversations with him about Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

He will probably be up there now, with The Don and Billy, propping up the bar with a crafty cig and a pint in one hand and dropping his walking stick on the floor with the other, wondering what the fuss is all about.