It was a salutary lesson, or should have been. At the very least, it was a slap around the arse for all those Leeds fans who repeatedly hark back decades in a desperate attempt to prove that Leeds remain one of the biggest clubs in the country. Five goals shipped in 45 minutes to a team suffering jet lag. Five goals shipped in 45 minutes to a team in disarray. Five goals shipped in 45 minutes to a team managed by Benny Benitez. So much for Leeds United's Premiership pretensions!
So what makes a big club then? Leeds fans repeatedly argue it is all about history, but when Chelsea beat Leeds in that epic Cup Final replay, Chelsea were the smaller club of the two. Nobody would pretend that was the case now.
So what about the fanbase? Leeds fans have been using the excuse of Master Bates to justify gates of 19,000 at Elland Road. Isn't it strange then that 33,816 forgot about the problem of putting money into the Chairman's pocket last night? Surely this was the game above all others that Leeds fans should have boycotted, saving their benefit money to cheer in GFH in the home game against Middlesboro on Saturday? Could it be that Bates is just an excuse then, that, in truth, Leeds fans are glory hunters, only willing to commit to the club when the opposition are an attractive draw and when Leeds are riding high in the table? What does that say about Leeds supporters exactly?
On Friday GFH are scheduled to take over the club but there are big doubts about their willingness or ability to fund a genuine revival of the club's fortunes. Already, fans' expectations of a spending spree in January have been dampened down. Thoughts of a £10m splurge seem well wide of the mark. And what is £10m these days anyway?
For 45 minutes last night Leeds battled like Colchester battled against Revie's team in 1971 but unfortunately, they had all the fight knocked out of them by Chelsea's equaliser. The tragic thing for Leeds fans is that they were in the role of Colchester United, a brave bunch of journeyman doing battle with a Goliath of English football. Never mind last night's result, at the end of the day the Capital 33,816 Fan Cup is an irrelevance, the truly sad thing is how far Leeds United have fallen in relation to clubs who looked up to them in the seventies.
A big club? Once upon a time it seems.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you like HF?
ReplyDeleteHF, what are you like?
Yawn
ReplyDeleteSaving their benefit money??
ReplyDeleteGrow up you pathetic individual!
Yes,so whats your point.
ReplyDeleteHow far did your big club get in the cup ?
ReplyDeleteI dont get it,if you have something to say then ssy it..dont beat about the bush,whats your point.
ReplyDeleteThe future is built on the foundation stones of the past.
ReplyDeleteso "Leeds battled like Colchester" now who's living in the past ?
ReplyDeleteYour dad has probably been washed down some storm drain or sewer after you scattered him around some low rent seaside town. Rather fitting don't you think?
ReplyDeletemaybe if you looked into the past and especially the history of Judaism in the world wars,then you and your Nazi loving friends may one day think before you send out your vile messages of hate and ignorance when you salute the Swastika....
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the repulsive comments Leeds fans direct at West Ham football club and its supporters I have to admit the football they played last night was attractive to watch and for what the team cost it was an excellent effort. They scored a brilliant goal and it was only because of the age of their players causing them to tire in the second half that allowed Chelsea to score five. Well done Leeds concentrate on the league now and good luck.
ReplyDeleteAs a leeds fan of 45 years I find your blog amusing and often well written and, dare I say it, occasionally very astute. However please don't bring in ridiculous generalisations about life in the north. It demeans your obvious literary talents, although it provokes a desired respones from some contributors to this blog.I've always admired West ham as a club. It's a shame that your dislike of Leeds hides your objectivity most of the time.
ReplyDeleteUtter Dross - all you seem to do is write about LUFC. Your 'readers', if you have any, must be very disappointed to constantly see articles on LUFC rather than Wet Spam. Listen, West Ham will never be as big as Leeds - fact. Will never play in the European Cup - ever...and look t our record against you...so one sided it's embarrasing.
ReplyDeleteGrow a pair, grow up and write about your own shower...must hurt being so insignificant in London...
Onwards and upwards.
Oh John,have you ever considered why some Leeds fans direct "repulsive" comments at west ham and it's supporters?
ReplyDeleteLad, i genuinely feel sorry for you. You're ill and need to see a doctor. When you look back at your life from your deathbed I guarantee you will be ashamed of the time and effort you put into antagonising decent people. Get help.
ReplyDeleteYou really are a dickhead we still got further than west spam were beaten by a team that are
ReplyDeleteWay above you in the league by a team who has a striker
Who cost almost as mush as is been spent to buy Leeds why don't you post about your own team who are moving steadily down the table
The name of west ham united should not be stained just because of celebrity superfan,murderer and internet pervert leslie grantham. More to come on this subject me thinks. Haven't the balls to put this one up have you,Plastic Hammer?
ReplyDeleteThought you'd died or your site had been brought down. Been a few days of silence! To your article/pisstake, at least we (LUFC) have a history unlike you bubble blowers. And as far as going forwards yes we will be back to our former glory and West ham, Oh they will just be West ham and you will still be that anonying anorak hiding behind a freeproxy! Leeds for Life!! MOT
ReplyDeleteYou seem very threatened by Leeds for some reason?
ReplyDeleteAlways trying to justify your opinions that we are small club...
Remind us of your record attendance again? , did Leeds more or less equal it last night (with half the stadium closed)?
That is the PRESENT
Thanks to John for bringing reality back to the debate..
It proves how big Leeds are when a few year ago we had nothing (£0.00)
and have built a team that is now mediocre...of course it is...what do you expect....could you have done better on £0.00?
For Leeds to be even competing in the second level is a miracle after what happened to the club.
and to beat Everton etc this season is testament to the power of Leeds.
Grow up and stop going on an on about nothing
If Leeds were not in existence...we would be missed!!1
admit it that you love us
you love to hate us...but it is still a form of love darling!
I geddit
ReplyDeleteLeeds are rubbish
fans are glory hunters
living in the past
Warnock sucks
takeover is rubbish
There seem to be some themes running through this blog...
It is like a record that has stuck
Can you please change the record!!!
Surely this year is an exciting one for WEST HAM ? remember them?
Leeds fans say
they are not rubbish
not glory hunters
warnock is ok
Takeover might be ok
THE END
Do both sides just go on and on? like two primeval war-ing factions
punch in the face, kick in the nuts, punch in the face, kick in the nuts
it is not a very productive situation and my friend BORING !
Honestly HF we can't win with you if leeds had won we would have only beaten a jet lagged Chelsea team but we lost so now we arnt a big club!!! Get a grip will you and concentrate on how west ham are doing
ReplyDeleteI think it was a fair result and the scoreline didn't really flatter Chelsea as our keeper had to make about 5 crucial saves in the first half.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can fault the desire/endeavour and rarely can I say I actually enjoyed a game we were so comprehensively beaten in.
Not so sure about the 'big club' remark as you could see how much the victory meant to the Chelsea fans. You ask any genuine Chelsea supporter and I'm sure they'll tell you they'd rather be watching games against Leeds than Wigan, Stoke, Reading, QPR, West Brom, West Ham (list goes on...). Were not the most hated club in England without reason, my friend! You're right that 'big clubs live in the present' although Leeds will only ever be the exception to this and last night proved this once again.
I do concede there is alot of work to be done before we can even consider competing in the premiership but we knew this anyway.
So remind me who got a salutary lesson at home to wigan athletic and who's fans got their arses smacked expecting untold riches via a new stadium as fat sam claws the owners doors begging for funds to keep them up?
ReplyDeleteLike i said a week ago i will remind u of what i posted. "what do we have to do to stop u stirring things and winding us up. If wr beat chesea we beat an exhausted side for a worthless cup and should of won if we lose to chelsea we have been beaten by a tired team and shouldve won. You said it yourself tin pot cup who cares. Well if you care enough to write about our loss then it isnt a tin pot cup and the mighty westham lol couldnt get as far as leeds. Dont contradict yourself little man. Kiss kiss. Dont care if u dont post this at least u will of read it. Replys welcome. Lol
ReplyDeleteI don't even support Leeds but know they're a bigger club than wet spam or chelscum!
ReplyDeleteNot another one converted.
ReplyDeleteYour lot aren't gonna have any fans left if you keep this up, hf.
Welcome aboard John and enjoy the ride!!
Glory hunters? Bit rich that coming from you! Tell me, when do you plan to go and see west ham next Dickhead?
ReplyDeleteTosser
ReplyDeleteso west ham never were a big team,they arent now and they wont be in the future.lolllll
ReplyDeleteI think Leeds are a piss pot of a club. Slowly it seems they may even be realising it. I notice the comments are down on this thread. Perhaps a drubbing by the side that the mighty Hammers smashed up just 3 weeks ago, has at last put the proverbial sock into the collective MOT mob's mouth. Then again, no doubt some classy individual will come back with some bile about hFs family soon enough..
ReplyDelete"a brave bunch of journeyman"
ReplyDeleteand like Colchester ...ha ha
I don't remember Colchester pulling 33,000?...
I don't remember Wet Spam pulling more than that many times in their meaningless history..
In 1971 Colchester were a 4th division Side, Leeds are a second division side.
More incorrect and pointless comparisons.
"Leeds fans have been using the excuse of Master Bates to justify gates of 19,000 at Elland Road"
Do you REALLY think that is the ONLY reason for falling attendances? or just a bit simplistic, and lazy?
rot in hell
ReplyDelete25th Sept 2012 ...... West Ham 1, Wigan 4 .... Capital One Cup.... Gate - 25,900
ReplyDeleteYou need to engage brain son.
Wigan!!!!. We lost to European Champions League winners in front of 33,000
Its a better effort today HF, keep going son.
You're absolutely right that football fans should live in the present. In the last 20 years Leeds United are 1 of 6 clubs to win the top flight. 3 of those clubs bought it (bit like cheating on Championship Manager) so dont count
ReplyDeleteAdd to that some phenomenal scalps in Europe, semi final appearances in both competitions and a near title miss.
By your definition then surely we are 1 of the top 3 biggest clubs in the country? You prove this by even asking the question. I mean were currently mid table in the championship for crying out loud! Other clubs (West Ham included I have to say) would just be forgotten.
The point you're missing Hammersfan is you only determine the size of a club based on the ability of the 11 players that currently represent it. The fact is you can't honestly put your hand on your heart and tell me that Leeds United in all it's titles and glory could EVER be considered a smaller club than West Ham? You need a title before you can be considered in that bracket, son. We've got 3. However if we both put our current teams out tomorrow there's a good chance you would get at least a draw (although the omens aren't great I have to say).
ReplyDeleteLeeds United didn't fade into the background. They fell from being one of the best teams in Europe to relegation candidates in 18 months. We all know the reasons why this happened and NONE of them were football related. That's why Leeds United never lost its big club status. It's why you keep writing about us and you KNOW that.
when did you change the 'from tom' bit on your blog? hahahahahaha
ReplyDelete19:10 Spot on mate!
ReplyDeleteMATCHING ON TOGETHER! LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS!
ReplyDeleteLIAR.
ReplyDelete