It’s that time of the season again, time to get quizzical, quizzical. Think Olivia Newton John in her leotard, leggings and headband on Eggheads. Actually, on second thoughts, let’s not.

The Annual LUSC quiz is a tradition that goes way back. In the 80s, there used to be inter branch quizzing galore, with many references to quiz teams in pubs far and wide across Yorkshire, mentioned in our branch meeting minutes. Not so many moons ago, I remember going to one at Headingley, where the top teams from LUSC quiz were invited to face the cleverest Leeds Rhinos teams. Our branch fared quite poorly in that one too, but it is the taking part that counts!

Sadly now, there is but one main event and it was hosted in The Eddie Gray Suite, in the (Magnificent New) East Stand last night (Thursday 23rd February 2017). Bizarrely enough, when I normally check in at Elland Road, every individual part comes up on my phone, apart from the Eddie Gray Suite, maybe Google Maps have the hump as well.

So the branch entered 3 teams. The newest entry ( The Grumpy Whites) made up from the wise heads of Dave Rowson, Karen (Abbott) Webb, John Webb and the youngest brain of the night, Garforths very own hot shot, Sean Hunter. The Deputy Yates (Jolly Whites) team of Andy Yates, James Proctor, Callum ( Marseille 2nd biggest city in France) Brook and late arrivee Paul ( Smuff) Smith made their second appearance, and the usual doggedness of Geoff Thrush, Mick Barker and The Secretary and The MPO dared to sit where no one else would – right by the window overlooking the car park! True to form we nearly missed the first question as we were too distracted trying to think of the word for fear of heights. We settled for Vertigo Sufferers as the team name, as none of us could remember acrophobia. It’s a good job that wasn’t one of the questions, as we would have got it wrong! Harrogate Acrophobics saved for next season then, unless of course we get there as early as Deputy Yates did, in which case we will pick the lower seats nearest the food.

The MPO would like to extend thanks to the Leeds United catering service for the fabulous pork pie, peas and mint sauce by the way. Andy (I think) the catering manager said that the pork pies were only put on as an after thought, as their planned offerings were un-named meat and potato and cheese and onion pies. Thank goodness someone had the foresight to source the pork pies. You cannot beat a pork pie, mushy peas, gravy and mint sauce for a pub quiz. Admittedly, never had that combination with a bottle of Valpolicella but it’s Thursday, why not?

Last season Geoff, Mick, The Secretary and The MPO vowed to do some revision to prepare, like we do every season actually. And, like we do every season, we arrived at the quiz still not able to put names to current squad numbers between the 4 of us. Shoddy! Sure enough round 5, squad numbers! And not just this season, but promotion winning seasons too. So, after an excellent first two rounds start, the Harrogate Knights sank further into the mire with every Leeds United question fired at us. I can’t speak for the other two branch teams , but save the question of David Batty’s two shirt numbers, we didn’t do very well. The round was soundly topped off with “what was Harry Kewell’s number?” . We answered 666, correct answers on a postcard please…

The “general sport” round flummoxed us too, our answer to “Who is the England rugby union captain? was an inspired Donald Trump, again, incorrect, but good choice I thought. Luckily enough the combination of The MPO remembering that Beth Jordache buried Trevor under the patio in Brookside and Geoff Thrush recollecting how unfairly Gareth was beaten into second place by Will Young meant that the Harrogate Whites managed a joint 4th spot highest ranking, with the other two in the not too shabby 9th (Grumpy Whites) and 10th (Jolly Whites) places out of a possible 16 ( I’ll check that up and correct as necessary). Had The MPO not over-ruled Geoff over his knowledge of the Metropolitan Line and Mick Barker had insisted more vehemently on his 1980s info, we may have still achieved joint 4th, but at least Mick remembered Richard Naylor put a brace past Yeovil.

Our thanks to the above-mentioned for their attendance and of course to the LUSC for their organisation and Leeds United for their hospitality. Roll on next season, let’s try to start reading up sooner and get those squad numbers in our heads. New branch motto viribus unitis (thank you Dave Rowson for that little nugget) and to finish with Olivia Newton John..

Since Marco Silvestri came to Leeds United, there has only been only been one Love Story that matters. You have to admit it, the camera doesn’t lie, she only has eyes for one person. Since the first time they met, Deputy Yates has been “bumping into” the lovely Sofia far too many times for this to be a casual fling. Either that or Deputy Yates has some serious man marking issues. Hardly!

Luckily enough, the “Managers Curse” that has plagued Brian McDermott, Uwe Rosler and Steve Evans (can’t even remember a picture with Redfearn- must have been his own doing that one), has yet to touch the delicate hands of Sofia.

So here it is in all it’s glory… I think Marco is safe!

Bournemouth in Marco’s shirt, just so she remembers who her Number 1 really is

Blackburn in September over a romantic plastic glass of Carling

Barnsley away smouldering in Andy’s shadow

Huddersfield with a reassuring thumbs up

February Update

Monthly Branch Meeting

The meeting was held in the Londesborough Club at 8pm on Sunday 5th February. Thanks to all who turned out (in a fashion). Special thanks to Dave Rowson who made sure The Chairman duly arrived in the “ruined” state as requested by The Secretary. A bumper crowd turned out, including Makaela Rolph (taxi driver) but sadly Deputy Andy Yates was a no show ( part-timer). This was a “lively” meeting with The Chairman in a much more vocal mood than he is normally. The meeting was slightly held up as The Chairman decided we couldn’t start until Mally Appleyard turned up, as apparently Mally has never missed a meeting. Mally duly got his round of applause when he arrived eventually 10 mins late.

As part of the LUSC Sponsored player package the LUSC gets tickets to a training day at Thorp Arch, a lunch with the sponsored player and two pairs of tickets in hospitality in the Magnificent New East Stand at the end of the season. These tickets are raffled by the LUSC. The Thorp Arch tickets were available at this meeting, if anyone wants any more they are now on sale at £1 per ticket, please contact The Secretary before the next LUSC exec meeting, which is 16th February. There wasn’t a date set by Leeds United for this Thorp Arch event, so you need to be able to get the day off at short notice I am afraid, but according to Eric Ware and Makaela Rolph, who won it 2015, and 2016 respectively, it was a good day out and the players were happy for photos to be taken etc. As soon as the other events are organised, the branch will let you know.

Away Games

We will be ordering the gold members tickets for Ipswich on Weds 8th February, or at least trying to. Once tickets have been secured, we will let everyone who has managed to get a ticket know and then communicate the departure times and details in the usual fashion. Fingers crossed please! We are currently taking bookings for Birmingham on Friday 3rd March, we will be running a bus to this fixture. Deputy Andy Yates will be running a minibus to Fulham, we are happy to order branch members tickets for this fixture but please get in contact directly with Mr Yates. We will be running a bus to Reading, tickets permitting, but no plans at present to run a bus to Brentford.

Memberships

Membership Secretary as usual MIA. The Chairman has decided that memberships will close in April, as in they will close at midnight on April 1st. And no, this is not a joke! The website is generating more new members. The MPO would like to reiterate that admin on the closed group Harrogate Whites Supporters Club page do not add new members to this group until we get their £7 membership fees. There will be a cull next season.

Website

After the MPO went off on one and wrote that blog piece there was a massive spike of about 2500 views to the website. Paul Yates has requested that more of the website links are shared on our normal facebook page, to increase publicity. Any comments on this are welcome. If anyone is reading this via the facebook link that I have shared this on, then please feel free to comment. We will also consider putting a sponsor page on the website for branch members to advertise, again, only if there is enough interest.

Quiz

The Annual LUSC quiz will be held on Thursday 23rd Feb in The Eddie Gray Suite in the magnificent New East Stand. 7.30 bar  to start promptly at 8pm. Teams of four and the branch will pay the entry fee. This is open to all LUSC members and there is a pie and peas supper included. Questions will be provided by Andrew Dalton (“Stats” as I was informed by Dave Rowson on Sunday). Several rounds of questions including Leeds United, general sport, general knowledge, general football etc. The branch has won the quiz a long time ago, sadly in the last few years we have managed one trophy for joint runner up in 2009. This was a magnificent effort by The Secretary and The MPO who were flying high at the end of round 7 in first place, but failed miserably to answer any of the Leeds United questions in round 8. It was a little disappointing but demonstrates clearly how much The Chairman was missed… Our last trophy below:

Poor Eunan O’Kane got Yates-ed ( well nearly) after the Barnsley game in Harrogate. There he was, innocently trying to feed his family, when a portion of the Jolly Whites descended on him.

He was greeted by some very tired (Paul) and emotional people from Bus 1, including The Famous Yates brothers ( and Yates Snr) and several members of the Ripon branch, including Lord Ochiltree. Reports state that even though he was a little surprised at the warm and enthusiastic reception he received in the restaurant which we cannot mention, he was very friendly and happy for the photo opportunity. In true HarrogateWhites fashion, the lad was invited for a drink in ‘Spoons, but he politely declined the chance to sit down with The Jolly Whites and discuss the game over a nice pint of Carling, as he needed some scram.

As you can see from the pictures below, he enjoyed being with the Jolly Whites. Deputy Yates has been instructed to offer him branch membership next time he sees him. Please note – DO NOT PANIC the crutch in picture 2 does not belong to Eunan!

Monthly branch meeting

Decembers meeting was held Sunday 4th December. The Chairman had suggested that the branch pay for a Christmas drink for everyone who attended. It was decided that due to the Branch Secretary not having enough money on him, that this was deferred to the January 2017 branch meeting when the branch may have some more funds. Dave Poole once again thanked the exec for getting the telly in the North East corner fixed as apparently he had mentioned this to the Leeds United stewards on several occasions over the years, and this has been the first time anyone has ever done anything about it. The MPO reminded him that he better be watching the telly, all the time! Next branch meeting will be Sunday February 5th after Huddersfield away, for anyone who is still conscious and not in the pub.

Away games

These are coming thick and fast. Bookings are currently being taken for Huddersfield (only 2000 tickets) and Sutton (even less tickets). The Blackburn coach is currently full however, with a waiting list. We would like to remind branch members that we can only order tickets for fully paid up branch members who have a valid Leeds United customer number.

Membership

The website is generating memberships. The Membership Secretary was MIA at the last branch meeting.

Website

The MPO apologises for no update in December, this was due to ill health sadly. The MPO will try better 2017. There continues to be a steady stream of views according to Google Analytics. The “We Are Leeds” fanzine is now completely available on the website. Dave Poole has provided us with a scrapbook of memories from days gone by. The MPO will scan these in so everyone can enjoy some of the articles.

LUSC Annual Quiz

This will be held Thursday 23rd February in the Eddie Gray Suite in the magnificent new East Stand. Andrew Dalton has agreed to set the questions again and there will be a pie and peas supper. We have been advised that the bar will be open from 7.30pm, with the quiz starting at 8pm on the dot. As usual the teams will consist of 4 people per team, the branch can enter as many teams as it wishes. If there is enough interest from Harrogate, the Branch will subsidise transport to Elland Road. Please can anyone who wishes to come along, let us know via the usual channels asap please?

Monthly Branch Meeting

The meeting was held a little later than normal on Sunday 6th November. The main point arising was that the TV in the North East Corner has been fixed. Dave Poole thanked the committee for raising the subject at the LUSC exec meeting. There was feedback from the last months LUSC exec meetings and feedback from the last exec meeting which Bryn Stokes, the Football Liaison Officer attended. The branch has won £15 in the last 250 draw. Andy Yates has asked us to pass thanks onto Leeds United staff for looking after the luggage during the Burton game before the LUSC Annual Dinner (see below)

LUSC Annual Dinner

This was held Saturday 29th October after the Burton game at The Banqueting Suite at Elland Road. Everyone agreed it had been a good evening and we think that Peter Haddock and his family made it back to the hotel in one piece, despite the efforts of Ryan and Natalie Whyte and Steve and Cath Alderson! The players were around for the beginning of the evening and as usual all had their pictures taken with publicity shy Andy Yates. Pictures will be available in the Gallery section presently.

Away Games

There was much discussion around Liverpool in the “meaningless” Cup tie. Plans to run two buses look like they will be scuppered due to the unexpectedly low allocation and the season ticket free for all scramble on Wednesday 9th November. Buses had been run to Wolves, Derby and Norwich with no harsh losses. The branch will be running a bus to Brighton on the Friday night. We are currently taking bookings for Rotherham and Brighton. Liverpool transport will be confirmed as soon as all tickets are secured.

Membership

There has been a recent increase in enquiries.

Website

The rest of the old fanzines will be loaded on as soon as possible.