For me, it all started when I was younger at the turn of the millennium. O'Leary's team were playing sexy football in Europe, the exciting signings were coming in thick and fast and there was lots of pride around the city. Tickets were affordable in the family stand and Elland Road was packed out nearly every week. A great time to start supporting LUFC. Shame about the **** that's followed... when did you start supporting Leeds, and what are your first memories of the club?
First started following Leeds as a 7 year old in 1970, Cup Final vs Chelsea, though didn't see my first match till Feb '75, West Ham away. Got hooked on the sheer professionalism, cynical if you like, the certain arrogance in knowing they were either loved or loathed but not giving a toss for anyone who belonged to the latter category. Though the 'dirty Leeds' tag was meant to be derogatory, I actually liked that! There was also something endearing about the fact that, although Leeds were quite obviously the best team in the land, they had a strange habit of finishing second. Finally, what sealed it for me was the all-white strip. There was always something of an aura about the team, playing a European tie midweek with the all-white gleaming under the floodlights- even on black & white TV!
Around 72/73 when I was five my two elder cousins (brothers) one a man u supporter the other Leeds both bribing me with pennants, scarfs, hats and badges. The Leeds supporting cousin had more to offer to I officially became a Leeds supporter. It wasn't until a few years later Cherry, Graham, Gray brothers and co that I really started to watch and take interest in the results.
First game that I remember being at was Leeds against Lokomotiv Moscow in the UEFA Cup in 99. We won 4-1. I remember my dad buying one of those Leeds badges to stick on ya hat. Bloody awesome it was.
First game was September 2006 and it was Dennis Wise's first game in charge. A bad time to start but I was hooked.
First game i went to was against Birmingham in the FA Cup finished 3-2 in 1998. First game i actually remember the game is Maritimo with the late winner.
You brought back a wonderful memory mentioning that Birmingham game, LDS. I remember it was on Valentine's day, and I sent my bluenose manager a pager message that read "Roses are red, violets are blue; we got three, and you only got two". I timed it to perfection, knowing he would be in a restaurant with his wife at the time. Did the trick - totally ruined his night. Served him right for giving me lip in the weeks leading up to the tie. Life was hell for a few weeks, but it was worth it.
First started following the Mighty Leeds .When we lost to Sunderland in the cup final.. Was a young lad of 8 living on the south coast..when i walked in on me dad and uncle watching the cup final..They were cheering on Sunderland..Soooooooo kids being kids i cheered for the other side to wind them up..LOL... And well the rest is history...Didnt get to me first game at ER till the late 90's...but get up to ER at least 4/5 times a season..and still live on the south coast..Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
Voted for the 70's as that's when I started "following" Leeds. By that I mean I remember my grandad and uncle being Leeds fans when I was very young, so I recall telling people I was a Leeds fan since I was about 5 or 6 even though I don't remember when we became European champions a few years later. My first time seeing the might whites wasn't until around 1983 (Arsenal v Leeds, FA Cup 4th round) by which time we were in the second division. By the way, can I vote again for my son (2010s) ? Six years old, first game Leyton Orient v Leeds, division 3, February 2010. Hooked for life, despite Bates.
My first match was Bradford home in 1999. So I first became a Leeds supporter when we had DOL in charge, plastic glory hunter that I am!
Went to see NSW v manure in Sydney during 1967 with my Dad. They beat us, of course, and most over here jumped on the red bandwagon, but shortly after I saw a game on TV where "this team in white" (don't they look great!) beat them and I thought Leeds United must, therefore, be THE BEST. From then I kept an eye open for any brief glimpse I could get (TV, magazines etc). It was after the Sunderland cup loss where I was forced to publicly defend "my team" amid claims of glory hunting that I realised I was "A White". 40 odd years later, after some exciting highs and sad lows, I'm still here and enjoying the ride. MOT
