Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) v Leeds United 18th March 2023 please log in to view this image I was very tearful setting off to the game today. It is always hard at this time of year for my family as yesterday would have been my daughter Charlotte’s birthday, but she sadly died from an undiagnosed heart defect at 17 days old. Not many people can say they had their birth announced live on TV by Greavsie. The Square Ball shared the recording on Twitter on what would have been her 30th birthday two years ago and it keeps her memory alive. He said I’d seen more action than they had at Highbury for the Arsenal v Leeds game after missing my first game in 7 years. She also attended her first game at six days old. Leeds United in 1991 were a family club, being inclusive and trying to encourage families to games. The family stand at that point was in the south stand and there was a creche there run by the council. As well as Charlotte (the youngest fan), other fans brought their babies and children to the games to be looked after during the game and Lee Chapman also left his children there. Having never shied away from telling these stories, I received a lot of stick this last few days on one of the message boards which on top of everything else, hit me hard. If it wouldn’t be something you’d do fine, but that was our choice as a family. Back then nobody batted an eyelid as we all wanted to bring our children up as Leeds fans and it also meant we were able to introduce her to friends we only saw at games. My middle daughter Danielle had a procedure yesterday too as she faces major surgery once again. Once I knew she was ok and wasn’t going to end up in hospital with pancreatitis like she did the last time she endured this, I just burst into tears and then I couldn’t stop. On top of my husband having terminal cancer and myself recovering from my recent hip operation, we don’t do things by halves so it was not surprising that I ended up in the doldrums today. I needed my Leeds United friends and family today more than ever and I just want to thank all those people who have taken the time to support me today either online or in person. Yes there were still plenty of tears, especially going into the ground, just because of the kind words from Phil, Raki and Steve that were greatly appreciated. This is what makes our support and yes there will always be some that disagree with you which is fine but, I would rather treat people how I want to be treated and be proud of who I am. Apologies for the rant but it is needed. The team today also made us proud with their battling performance and win and it is certainly what the doctor ordered. This was so needed and thank you for standing up and being counted too. Talking before the game, I wasn’t going to jinx Leeds by predicting any score but it was unanimous that so much damage had been caused to the team under Marsch’s tenure that we were slowly rebuilding again. Team: Ayling (captain), Firpo, Koch, Wöber, McKennie, Aaronson, Bamford, Harrison, Gnonto, Meslier, Roca. Subs: Kristensen for Gnonto (62), Rodrigo for Bamford (67), Summerville for Aaronson (81), Struijk for Firpo (81). Subs not used: Robles, Cooper, Rutter, Gray, Sinisterra. Leeds won the game 4-2 with goals from Harrison (6), Ayling (50), Kristensen (62), Rodrigo (90+7). Attendance: 31,570, 3,012 Leeds fans. Referee: Michael Salisbury. Booked: Ayling, Firpo, McKennie, Roca. Gnonto was in fine form attacking down the wing to the far end of the pitch in front of the Leeds fans. He made another fantastic run getting to the bye line then pulling the ball back in to the middle for Harrison to get on the end of and hit a cracking ball into the net to give us an early lead. We led a charmed life today at times but the battling and team performance were there. Meslier making vital saves with others blocking the ball to keep it out of the net. It was end to end at times but we made it to half time still with the one goal lead. Leeds had been calming the game down during the half with Meslier taking his time with goal kicks which incensed the Wolves support but it was vital for us to keep control that way. Within five minutes of the second half we had increased our lead but not before we thought Wolves had equalised although the goal was disallowed for offside.. When Roca took the corner in front of me I shouted at him to get the ball straight into the net. Well it wasn’t quite like that but the ball reached Ayling at the far post who headed the ball into the net which the Leeds fans celebrated wildly. With Harrison having a shot blocked on the line and Roca’s shot going just wide, Leeds were continuing to put Wolves under pressure. Kristensen replaced Gnonto and within a minute had increased our lead through sheer persistence when he hit the ball low into the net. As some Wolves fans to the right of us walked out of the ground at this point, maybe they should have stayed a little longer as Wolves pulled one back. Meslier headed the ball clear only for Roca’s pass to go straight to a Wolves player. He hit a long range shot but with Meslier so far out he couldn’t prevent the goal from going in. Meslier made a fantastic save to keep them out but could do nothing when they got another goal shortly after when the ball hit Wöber, deflecting it into the net. To say I’ve been stressed recently, I was actually very calm although I didn’t want Wolves to get an equaliser. They were putting some good runs in down the far side but Leeds stood firm with everyone standing up to be counted. When they ran at Leeds again, their player followed through with a bad foul on Ayling which on being reviewed by VAR saw his yellow card overturned for a red. With seven minutes of injury time which turned into 14 minutes, Summerville with some good play down the opposite side to us, passed the ball for Rodrigo who ran forwards chipping the ball over the keeper to gives us a fourth goal. VAR got involved again but after going to look at the screen, the referee decided his decision was correct and the goal was allowed. Things kicked off on the Wolves bench and it looked like he’d lost control of the game then but he sent off one of the Wolves reserves. Eventually the game did finish and Leeds had got a precious win and three points sending us back up to 14th in the table. There isn’t a lot in between all the teams in the bottom half of the table so the points made a big difference as we head into the international break. After seeing fans questioning Gnonto being subbed, I think we are nurturing both him and Bamford to ensure they keep fit. Gnonto took quite a few knocks again today and Bamford was thrown around so it is vital we look after them going forward. What I’ve seen from the team are that our fitness levels have increased but also there is a togetherness as they play like a team once again and I think we can thank Gracia for instilling the belief back in to them too. I like the fact that he doesn’t throw the players under the bus and doesn’t spout a load of nonsense. Sadly there aren’t as many photos today due to me being told that Wolves do not allow cameras at the ground and couldn’t take photos. They were also targetting fans with their mobiles too which is a shame. The fan experience brings the game to life through the photos but I suppose that’s one disadvantage with me being in a prominent position at the front of the stand. I’ll have to see if I can get permission to be the official fans photographer for Leeds United!! Well if you don’t ask, you don’t get, see you after the break with our visit to Arsenal. LUFC – Marching on Together! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Extra special that the team got the three points yesterday Heidi to help ease the tears and to give your head a bit of peace and distraction away from it all. It can’t have been easy for you and reading what you’re going through I’m genuinely amazed you manage to hold it together at all. A heart tugging read and thank you for sharing
Oh Hedi, that was a tough read. Sending love to you and yours. Pleased the boys stepped up for you yesterday MOT
You've really been through it. One thing for sure, your family, Leeds Utd, and the World (as indeed we are all Leeds fans) are all better off with you in their / our lives. Brilliant picture with the Fulleton lot. I note the two coppers were keeping a close eye on you!!!!
Thank you. It's better to get things out of my system and move on that's for sure. It was hard to even do my little video before leaving home yesterday as I really couldn't think what to say but once I'd done my exercises for my hip I managed to do it. I even hung back posting on that forum last night too but then thought, if I don't do it when there are people that look forward to reading my blogs, then the haters have won. It took me back to the seventies when I had all the abuse etc to contend with being a girl in a man's world following my team. Back then and as now I thought, these people are a minority and why should I stop doing something I love that people enjoy!
Well said, we all come across those kind of morons Heidi, you took the best course of action. I take it you're on about waccoe
Thank you. It does wonders sleeping on things and having a win too. That and the Leeds United family always helps in bringing me back to reality.
How did you guess? Yes it was on there and the reason it became personal was because it was the some of the same ones giving me grief when I ended up getting tickets for the West Bromwich game in the fourth ballot. Yes I stuck up for loyal fans and said some fans who had been to more games than me deserved to be there and I still stand by my comments which didn't go down well. Someone had tried to help and added my name into a plea for tickets that I didn't know they were going to do, but I was a target from then on sadly. I didn't say I deserved to be there more than anyone else but it didn't matter what I said, it was just continuous.
I do remember that on there, it was quite a contentious debate, I sometimes read on there been a member for 16 yrs but only have about 800 posts, so you can tell my feelings of the place
I've been on it a long while but thought I'd have posted more than 11,000 times to be honest oops! It would be hard to wean myself off there though because I read a lot of things without posting as it keeps me up to date with things in general. I've got some support on there so will look after those but no doubt there will be another "attack" at some point. I know some post to take the mick but it's got to the point where you don't know who is genuine when that happens now sadly.
My heart goes out to you, Heidi. We all have our ups & downs, but yours as so disproportionatly leaning to the downside, rather than a balance. Hopefully, it'll improve as time goes on. Tell you what, next time I see you ar ER, I'll give you a big hug. Generally in Scotland, men only hug when their team scores +/or they're legless, so this is BIG!!! .
As others have said, heartbreaking stuff Heidi, glad the result and the Leeds family lifted your spirits a bit. And good luck with that hug from WJ
A great read as always Heidi. I spent a bit of time a few years back on waccoe has it had more than its fair share of know alls and morons. Wouldn’t bother reading anything there anymore
