Elland Road, home of Leeds United based in Beeston just outside of Leeds City Centre. The 14th largest stadium in England which has seen some famous moments over the years but for now, Leeds were fighting to get back to the top flight for the first time since 2004. 15th February 2020 and Leeds were due to play Bristol City at Elland Road and in a promotion clash, Leeds battling for automatic promotion whereas Bristol were looking for a place in the play-offs respectively.
I would be joining the Bristol City fans in the away end for this one, Leeds fans would usually sell out the home end making getting a ticket for there a very difficult task. Arrival at the ground and fans were heading in early and so I joined them. £39 to watch this Championship clash! … West Brom Vs Nottingham Forest live for the early kick off, another promotion clash which could determine the seasons of both these clubs, but before that, a quick glimpse of the ground and where I would be sitting. West Brom 2-2 Nottingham Forest in that game, fair result.
Into the ground now and the players were warming up and fans beginning to enter. Banter between fans already, “We all hate Leeds scum” from the Bristol City fans with Leeds fans cheering and waving back at the away end. The players walked out to a wall of noise! The famous Leeds song began to sound around the ground, “MARCHING ON TOGETHER!!” the travelling Bristol City fans failed to drown that one out.
Kick Off! A bright start to the game for Leeds, knocking the ball around like Barcelona! Leeds fans setting the tone for the match, the best atmosphere in the league I was told was certainly living up to it’s name. Corner for Leeds, COOPER… Wide! Close for Leeds there. 15 minutes gone and another chance for Leeds, Luke Ayling with the ball in the Bristol box and he fired across goal, wide but still in play with Harrison who lays off Dallas… Blocked but still in the area with Klich who shoots straight at Ayling 7 yards out… THIS TIME!! 1-0!! And a deafening celebration from the Leeds faithful!! Limbs in the home end!
Leeds continued to dominate the match. “We are the Champions, Champions of Europe” Echoing around the ground and this continued and got progressively louder and more and more scarves were being waved in the air… But wait, Leeds never did win the European Cup? Correct! But I had later found out that the Leeds fans had been singing this in protest of the Referee who had been paid to give decisions against them in the 1975 European Cup final in which they lost to Bayern Munich and had a perfectly good Peter Lorimer goal disallowed.
Chance again for Leeds, Costa surely… SAVE! But not over yet it’s Dallas… CROSSBAR!! Straight to BAMFORD!! IT’S 2!!!! No it isn’t, Bamford is Offside! No Goal! Bristol City fans enjoyed that moment. Bristol City were being rattled here, Leeds looking like the real deal! But would fail to fins the second goal before half time. 1-0 at HT.
Second half, Leeds continuing to give Bristol a hard time. Harrison with the ball on the left who drove the ball in low with Costa sliding in… He didn’t get there, another let off for Bristol City. Helder Costa would still continue to cause problems, 70 minutes gone and he squares it to Patrick Bamford… Saved again! Still no second for Leeds. Here come Leeds again! Helder Costa getting on to the long pass and he’s round the goalkeeper… But the keeper was there to tip it around for a corner. Last 10 minutes now and Jack Harrison is through… OFF THE BAR!!! Somehow Leeds miss again! In the end Leeds would fail to find a second.
FT: Leeds United 1-0 Bristol City
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – An unbelievably passionate fan base! Relentless throughout! When Leeds fans sang Marching on Together, it really did send shivers down my spine! Best atmosphere in the league? One of the best I’ve ever witnessed!
- The Ground: 8/10 – A fantastic ground with great facilities, definitely fit for the Premier League whenever the return is.
- Expense: 10/10 – £39 is a bit much, but I enjoyed the game and atmosphere throughout so I was very happy to pay that in the end.
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – I enjoyed the day from start to finish! The whole buzz around the City before and after made my day! I can see why Leeds and the fans get a lot of stick, one of the most passionate fan bases in the world!
38/40