Our monthly branch meetings have been held at the Londesborough Club for 20+ years now. We are happy to support this charity bash in aid of The British Heart Foundation.

The event is held in conjunction with Tempo FM, Harrogate Town and The Londesborough. The branch will lend it’s support by selling the raffle tickets for the items kindly donated by The Londesborough Club to branch members on the Brentford bus and anyone who cannot make the trip, as long as you get in touch! We will also donate a sum of money to the British Heart Foundation which will be agreed at the monthly branch meeting on Sunday 5th November.

Monthly Branch Meeting

There was a good attendance again, thank you for coming. The Secretary and The MPO arrived eventually after being stood outside for nearly 10 minutes while messaging everyone to let us in. There was a discussion around away tickets, ticket allocations and ordering tickets in general. We always said it will be difficult this season to try sort out away tickets. The branch will continue to work hard to ensure our members are able to get to as many away games as possible. The Chairman has expressed his difficulties in reading the electronic scoreboard at Elland Road from his seat in the North East Corner. After much discussion, the MPO has decided to send an e mail to Leeds United on his behalf asking for a different font and colour scheme for the half time results and substitution announcements.

Away Games

Bookings currently being taken for Cardiff and Burnley. Sheffield Weds bookings will also be taken. There has been no information from Leeds United as yet regarding ticketing arrangements for Cardiff, Burnley or Sheff Weds. We hope that the away games tracker based on last seasons games is used for these games.

Memberships

The Membership Secretary has suffered a non drinking related injury, therefore was MIA, but with a valid reason this month. Memberships continue to rise. Once we have had a chat with the Membership Secretary, we will decide what date to close memberships for the season.

A.O.B

The MPO hasn’t been able to get the preseason update on the website as yet. I will do so as soon as possible. The Secretary would like to thank Andy Yates and Dave Poole for coming to the LUSC exec meetings fortnightly on a Thursday. Thanks to James Garner and Ricky Greenwood as well this Thursday. It is good that branch members are taking more of an interest in the LUSC.

 

After a good win at Bolton last week, with two fantastic goals from Kalvin Phillips and hopefully Chris Wood’s first of many this season, we came down to earth with a bang on Saturday. Yes, a hat trick in the Cup on Tuesday night, by the new guy Saiz, but we need to remember that this was Port Vale after all. It’s not a bad start to August 2017 though, we have had worse starts to the season and there is a long, long way to go.

Monthly Branch Meeting

Thanks to all who attended last night’s meeting, including the taxi driver (Makaela). I know people are busy on a Sunday, but it is good if you can attend. Bonus that fixture lists were available as well. If anyone wants details of the Jurys Inn offer, please can you get in touch with us directly, usual channels. The Chairman stated that he found it very frustrating that the ticket office is not open after a home game to sell tickets for the following home games. As The Chairman has still not fully engaged with the internet era, he is struggling to buy his Cup tickets. The Chairman expressed his disapppointment vehemently at the time with the ticket office, but has requested that the branch should bring this up with Leeds United. The MPO has sent Leeds United an email to placate The Chairman, after all, there is no harm in asking. We will report back with any updates. The branch would like to put something forward for the Leeds United LUSC programme page about specific features of Harrogate & District. The Chairman has supplied us with some old photos and we would like to put something about the generations of families that have been travelling with us. Anyone who has photos of grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren who have been longstanding members, please get in touch. There was also a lively discussion regarding pre match refreshment stops. Whilst The Secretary and the MPO appreciate any help organising the away day trips, any suggestions must be workable realistically. We are open to any offers and the LUSC do have hostelries who contact us directly offering their hospitality. The branch as part of the LUSC must adhere to the instructions given to us by Bryn Stokes, the Football Liaison Officer. We will invite Bryn to a branch meeting, if that is what the branch members want.

Away Games

The bus to Sunderland is FULL. Departure details have been posted to facebook.

There has been no information regarding Forest tickets as yet, as soon as details are available, we will inform branch members. There will be a bus to this fixture unless we don’t get any tickets.

Newport in the Cup is to be played at Elland Road.

No information yet regarding Millwall and Cardiff. The branch will probably be running buses to these fixtures in the hope that we manage to get enough tickets.

Memberships

Thanks to everyone who has returned their membership forms. The Membership Secretary has been very busy and if you have included a stamped addressed envelope with your renewal form, you will be receiving your card soon. Please note, it takes a monumental effort to send the forms out in June. If you do not give us the correct email address or postal address, we cannot send you the forms. It is ESSENTIAL that a new form is filled out EVERY year, even if your details have not changed.

Website

As previously posted on facebook, the website has been much more successful than the MPO could have possibly thought. Given that there are numerous better Leeds United sites available, which are much more professional looking and have more content than ours, we still had nearly 10,000 visits according to GoogleAnalytics. That’s about 800 visits per month on average. The MPO would like to thank everyone who does periodically have a look at what’s going on. The preseason update is being written this week ( apart from Tuesday night) and that and the gallery will be updated by the end of the month. Again, if anyone wishes to volunteer to write something, the MPO will consider any content as long as it is libellous and inflammatory. I think there should be a not somewhere in that paragraph..

A.O.B

Branch members attended a session at very short notice at Elland Road last week regarding the Centenary. Thanks to Dave Rowson, Jamie Rowson, Dave Poole and Ellie Poole for getting across to ER early before the Port Vale game. Anyone with any ideas regarding how the branch can support the LUSC in organising the Centenary Celebrations, please get in touch.

In response to recent enquiries, I think I have managed to add a printable PDF version of a New Membership form on here.

Please note this is for NEW MEMBERS ONLY.

After much discussion with The Secretary, we have decided that the Renewals form cannot be attached. If anyone ever reads the commentary on the renewals form, you will know that the branch maybe be opening itself to any libel issues etc. especially from Garry with Two Rs or Evil Papa Smurf or anyone else lacking a sense of humour.

I am aware that there have been a few glitches with the electronic version on the website.

Please can any new applicants ensure they enclosed two passport sized photgraphs for their LUSC photo ID card and PLEASE sign the form. We accept cheques and postal orders, if anyone wishes to pay elctronically, please text or private message and I will give you the bank branch account details.

New Members Form

Much has been happening of late at Leeds United. New signings, winning pre season games, buying the ground back, improving the stands…. Far too much like a properly run football club. Luckily enough, as by the sounds of it some of our fans are still misbehaving. Thankfully, some things haven’t changed that much. Here’s an update and a summary of the branch AGM July 2017.

Annual General Meeting held Sunday 2nd July 2017.

Thanks to everyone for turning out at the AGM. A delicious pre meeting buffet curry at Jinnah (where the drinks bill was higher than the food bill) probably wasn’t the best idea in the world, but we live and learn. I would like to mention Des Yates and Nicky, it was good to see you and thanks for coming. It has been a really tough year for the branch off field again. We hope and pray for a better coming season.

The Chairman read the minutes of last years AGM out, there were no points arising or questions and these were duly proposed by Mally Appleyard and seconded by Chrissie Colman.

LUSC AGM: The main LUSC AGM held earlier that day, was briefly reviewed. Please note, the MPO will try to send this meeting’s minutes and future ones out in the group email this coming season. This will ensure you are all kept up to date with what is going on at the LUSC. Good relations between the LUSC and Leeds United continue, and we hope that this will be maintained. The LUSC exec meetings are still held at Elland Road, as is theAnnual  Quiz. The Annual Dinner has also been welcomed back to the West Stand, hopefully for the foreseeable future. Social media presence of the LUSC is growing exponentially across facebook and twitter.  This despite much competition from other Leeds United groups across all forms of social media. Membership is on the up but funds going down.  This is due to the LUSC getting more younger (free) members and also at the other end, as unfortunately, we are all getting a bit older too! There are now 36 fully paid up LUSC branches across the globe, ( Harrogate are the 2nd biggest LUSC branch according to the figures available).  There continues to be enquiries from potential new branches throughout the season. 2019 will be the centenary year of the LUSC , the LUSC exec are asking for any help to organise the coming celebrations. It was decided that the LUSC continue with the sponsorship of young Kalvin Phillips for the coming season. Angus Kinnear the CEO of Leeds United then did a speech and a Q&A session which was very good in my opinion, given he is technically still only 2 weeks into his job.

Membership Report from Roy: Memberships are still rising. Roy would like to thank everyone who very kindly encloses a stamped addressed envelope for the return of their membership cards.It is very helpful, please continue.

Secretary’s Report: The Secretary thanked everyone for their attendance and participation in the non footballing activities. Our guests, Fish (Peter Haddock), Debbie and his two lads, Peter and Carl attended the LUSC Annual Dinner. The branch had two tables and supported our members with subsidised tickets and travel for the night. The LUSC Annual Quiz was well attended, featuring three teams from our branch. We did ok but could have probably done better had The Chairman been available. The pork pie and peas supper was very tasty, but the bottle of red wine may have been excessive. All the LUSC exec meetings were attended. The LUSC Sponsored Player packages were another highlight. Deputy Andy Yates and Mr Steve Carass represented Harrogate & District Branch and the LUSC at the players lunch. Helpfully clearing up any left over alcohol and kindly escorting Kalvin Phillips and Charlie Taylor back home after their exhausting training day. Sorry should that be the other way round??? The Secretary also won a pair of the West Stand hospitality tickets for the Norwich game at the end of the season. The Paul Reaney Suite was very pleasant, as was the fillet steak and salted caramel roulade. Sadly, the same can’t be said of the first half of the game. Unfortunately, we were subjected to the company of a certain ex managers family sat behind us not really watching the game. Luckily enough, in the second half they were replaced by a few Italians happily screaming and shouting, which was much better. The Secretary thanked Deputy  Yates for the signed shirt which we raffled off ( won by Karen Webb eventually!) at the Wigan game.

Treasurers Report: Excellent season all in. The losses on the long away trips were mitigated by sharing with The Mavericks, Bradford 2011 and Bradford Whites. As Mr Flynn had previously stated, memberships are up again this season. The 250 draw yielded some good results. The Treasurer thanked Deputy Yates for the shirts and everyone who does the footy card. The costs this year included the LUSC Annual Dinner ( subsidy on the tickets, Peter Haddock’s costs and taxi fares) and transport costs to the (other) Members Dinner. Other items such as the wreath for Terry Rankine and support for the midweek long aways where we did not run a coach were also taken into account. Faye Smith ( a steward in the North East Corner) was sponsored in the London Marathon as was branch member James Proctor in a swimming event. The branch have ordered a new flag to replaced the dated and sadly, stained, old Harrogate & District flag. Branch members voted on a new design and this will be unveiled at the preseason Austria games. We are a not for profit organisation, any money raised goes back to the branch via subsidised coach travel and support to non football branch events etc. Accounts were proposed by Steve Smith and seconded by Martin Thomas. Approved by a show of hands.

Review: Coaches were run to all the weekend games and most of the midweek ones apart from Bristol City, Fulham and Brentford. This season there was a branch presence at all away games however, by car and/or mini bus. Our thanks go to Tim the Driver for his excellent efforts and we are sad to see him move on. The Secretary thanked the Chairman and the MPO for their help running the second buses. Our 2016/17 season refreshment stops have been a resounding success and any suggestions for future venues are welcome.

Election of Officers: No nominations or applications were made. All 4 existing committee members agreed to stand again. Proposed by Chrissie Colman and seconded by Dave Poole.

A.O.B: Bookings currently being taken for Bolton, Sunderland and Forest. The Secretary thanked everyone for the generous collection and also the committee.

Meeting closed 9.07pm.

Away Games.

Bolton now Sunday August 6th 4.30pm kick off

Sunderland now Saturday August 19th 5.30pm kick off

Forest now Saturday August 26th 5.30pm kick off

Bookings currently being taken, looking like there will be two buses for Bolton, usual channels please.

Memberships.

Please return all forms with the correct payment as soon as possible. Your forms and subs are due now.

Website (and other social media).

Our old “We Are Leeds” fanzine has now all been uploaded to this site. Reports from The Chairman are that people are finding this interesting, so it looks like all the work to get it on here has been worth it. We would like to thank The Chairman for his efforts in compiling this.

I will continue to do the updates from the monthly branch meetings in the ‘News and Events’ section. Preseason reports will also go on there with any pictures courtesy of Deputy Yates and anyone else who can hold their phone steady enough for some decent shots. A couple of queries about the post documenting Deputy Yates and Mrs Silvestre’s shenanigans were made. The pictures were certainly NOT doctored by me or Deputy Yates, as far as I am aware.

It is difficult to do the blog, as well as all the other things during the season ( ticket ordering, sorting pubstops etc.) so this will only be done as time allows.

The Chairman would like to continue with his Charley Says section, but STILL does not have a computer to do so. This puts extra pressure on the MPO. So, this is section is intermittent as some of his “memory matches” and comments are just posted on the facebook page instead. The MPO hopes to have a sensible chat with The Chairman at some point (this century) to discuss the way forward for his Charley Says.

Our Gallery section will continue as a store for any photos through the season, and is especially useful for those not on facebook apparently. I want to avoid repetition and will update it as and when I get photos.

When I get the Google analytics figures, I will put them up, but it looks like the website is useful, so will continue as it is. Any comments are welcome.

The MPO and therefore the branch does not have a twitter account and there are no plans for one because of the extra time/work etc. involved. If anyone wishes to help out with the website etc. please feel free to volunteer.

If anyone wishes to be removed from the group email list, please can you let us know via the usual channels please?

 

Apologies for the delay for the April update. There have been a couple of busy aways to sort out and of course Easter is always a busy time. So there will be the usual updates and then the blog will continue as per the norm.

Just a quick note though, yesterday was Palm Sunday, celebrating the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. Called Palm Sunday as the people of Jerusalem lined the streets, waving Palm branches. Maundy Thursday is of course, the day of Last Supper and then obviously Good Friday is a very solemn day of Easter reflection. The branch will be of course be en route to Newcastle, so we shall be ensuring that the day is duly recognised by all the branch members, thus in keeping with the spirit of the Easter message, in true Harrogate Whites fashion.

Monthly Branch meeting

The meeting was held on Sunday April 2nd at the Londesborough Club. A quick mention for Middy, nice to see him again, in the company of Dave ( the gardeners ear) Jewitt who supplied us with an interesting update on one of our former players and some juicy goss about Peter Beagrie.

The EFL meeting that the LUSC exec went to, was as stated on our facebook page just a propaganda exercise for Sky. Apparently there were 85 new rules / modifications of the rules this new season for the referees to take in. I wonder how many of them were instructions on what to do if Leeds United have the upper hand in the game? That was the interesting part, the rest of it was just how brilliant Sky are and how they have to give at least 5 weeks notice if they want to change a fixture for the benefit of their viewing figures. Hahahahaha

Two new branches have been accepted into the LUSC fold, the Lincolnshire Whites and the reformed Pontefract Branch. There is also a proposed new Parliamentary LUSC Branch led by John Mann MP Bassettlaw. We believe this is the first LUSC, or any football supporters club of it’s kind in Westminster. So there is hope for the Houses Of Parliament yet!

Lastly, we have had a message from Terry Rankine’s widow. She has thanked the branch for the tribute to Terry and said the flowers were so beautiful that she took them home.

Away Games

Newcastle bus was full up til last night. There are now two places available. There are still places available on the Burton bus for anyone lucky enough to have their own tickets.

Memberships

Memberships have closed for the year. Memberships are up from last year.

Website

The Media and Publicity Officer is doing as much as possible to keep up with the website and the facebook page as often as possible. We will also try to keep putting articles up for the Leeds United programme. Any contributions are welcome.