No, a hollow, meaningless business did, the timeless and legendary Leeds United football club remained.
The same can be said for any team, even a small team on a small budget, but rarely does it happen. In the past, (I am talking in the last two decades since the launch of Sky TV and all the evils it has since introduced) Leeds Utd were one of a very small handful of clubs that broke the mould of actually achieving anything in the top flight but even that success was only relative to where they previously were. Other teams include Ipswich (1 season), Norwich (1 season), Blackburn (1 season), Villa (6 seasons in the top 6) and maybe one or two others that do not immediately spring to mind, and as well as WBA & Everton are doing now it it still unlikely they will finish in the top 5. Outside of the current top 5 teams (Man Utd, Man City, Spurs, Arsenal & Chelsea it is highly unlikely another team is going to disrupt that recent and familiar pattern as the speculation in the OP that most of these teams are likely to implode in the near future seems to suggest. So, having said that, when you say we have an opportunity to get to the top and stay there I am guessing you mean being in the PL and not actually necessarily near the top end? If you believe you can get back near the top and stay there then I too would have to agree there is a considerable amount if dillusion circulating among some of your fan base. Getting in to the PL is one thing, surviving season after season is another and Leeds are unlikely to be anything more than a 10th - 20th placed team, just as it is now for the majority outside the exclusive elite of English football. Even breaking in to the top 8 is a serious achievement with Newcastle, Fulham & Everton normally filling those places. Maybe the odd season a little higher but please, please do not think because you have a little recent history (last 40 years) that somehow the club will burst on to the scene and make a huge impact - they wont. Southampton fans believed that on returning to the PL this season would be okay and do pretty well largely based on their long stay in the top flight before it went tits up. They have since discovered it is a different league to even 5 years ago and Leeds, if they can get promoted, will see for themselves how much different and harder it has become.
I think you'll find that the Legendary Leeds United got liquidataed and a hollow, meaningless business remained
It's been years since Newcastle won anything, yet they are still expected to be up there every season. It's not delusions of grandeur, we've spent a lot of time at the top or around the top or even sniffing around the top. I genuinely don't see how difficult it is for other fans to understand the importance of that. It goes some way to removing the mental block of "we're not a big money club, we can't get up there", which is the first hurdle and the reason pissy little clubs like QPR will never make it into the Champion's League no matter how much money they throw at it. If the fans don't believe it's possible, it's unlikely to ever happen.
Mentality goes a long way. Newcastle burst onto the scene only 2 seasons ago. They are a similar club to Leeds. Won similar amounts, similar size of fanbase, one club city, large catchment area. It was said a few years ago when they made it back to the Premier League that they would be a good indicator of how well Leeds can expect to do when they make it. What makes you think it can't happen for us? I think our recent showings against Premier League opposition are a great indicator of just how comfortable we are playing with the big boys. It's all down to mentality. The club on the whole has a strong mentality and a belief that we belong around the top. This can never, ever be underestimated.
Then it can only be arrogance as you believe you SHOULD be their because of who you are and your history. Huddersfield, Preston and Burnley have all won lots of trophies & league titles (more than many other clubs) in years gone by and were huge clubs at the time but they do not feel they have a right to be anywhere other than where they currently are. A clubs history has bugger all to do with today Marko. If it did have a bearing you would have not gone down to L1, or stumbled in the Championship, you must surely see that?
I accept the belief that you can claw your way back is absolutely fine but to ram it down the throats of everyone you cross is laughable. Do it quietly and when you get there, stay there and win things - then tell the world how great you are. Today, as mentioned before by our 'Foxy' friend, Leeds are not what the were, accept it and wait for the better day to return with a little humility
No thanks. Return to your tin pot club. Not my fault you lack belief that your club can get to the top, but that's what will hold you back. Bye.
If that was a serious post it speaks volumes Marko and underlines the arrogance that many people say your fan base has. The vast majority (and I mean vast) do not kid ourselves that we will make our way back to where we were in the early 90's (and we were damned good then), regardless of how much money is spent, what ground extensions are made etc. We know our limits, anything above that is a huge bonus. If the really good day arrive, great. If they don't, not to worry - we still wont wet ourselves when we don't win anything after 20 years or more. That is nothing to do with a lack of belief, just realistic
I just explained in perfectly reasonable terms why we have nothing to apologise for. We will never have the "humility" that comes with a small club mentality because we're not a small club and we don't have a small club mentality. We don't give a **** if it means other fans hate us. Ultimately it will mean the difference between breaking into the top 4 and not breaking into the top 4. We believe it will happen and that means a lot. That mentality transfers to the pitch from the crowd. I'd continue to be pleasant and reasonable, but if you're still going to take the hump no matter what I say then it doesn't matter what I say, so kindly **** off.
You need to grow up son. You're posts are the ramblings a of a deluded fool. They don't even make sense. Top 4? Sheeeeet.
Newcastle almost made it last season. We're a similar club to Newcastle in financial clout, fanbase, catchment area and past successes. It is perfectly reasonable to deduce that it is entirely possible. Everton, again, similar to us. They are looking good for 4th spot this season. It's not delusion, you'll just never be happy until we "admit" that "we're a small club because we're not in the Premier League", which is a load of rubbish. We're not a yoyo club by nature. We're not going to be stuck in a relegation battle season after season like tinpot clubs like wigan or yourselves. Nothing we've suggested is unreasonable because the difference in turnover between us and you is absolutely phenominal and makes a huge difference. Leeds could turn over £50 mill a year before including the Premier League TV money easily in the PL. You'd make £20 mill if you were lucky. That makes a huge difference. Basically, we're a big club, you're not. The turnover figures that put us above clubs on parachute payments year after year tell us that quite clearly, so go away.
Serious question Marko and I accept it is all if's and but's, all the same try and give an honest answer. If Leeds, for whatever reason, have a really prolonged spell outside the top league (let's say 25-30 years) will you still ramble on about what a huge club Leeds is. I guess the answer is, is there ever a point when you could actually think, feck me we are just another club? or will you always continue to believe the club is something bigger than the reality suggests? I know the scenario is unlikely, as with Norwich as we have never spent that long out of the top league following relegation from it, but it is not impossible for it to happen.
Come back in 25-30 years and ask me. That is what it would take for us to be "just another club". Until then, **** off.
The frightening thing is, I think Marko genuinely believes that Leeds are still a big club, and that they will get back to the top 4 of the Premier League. Bless him
