Leeds still a MASSIVE draw for fans…

Leeds United’s NEWSNOW page is as busy as ever, especially with news of Andy O’Brien’s imminent arrival from Bolton. However, between all the muted excitement there are several stories regarding our upcoming away matches…

Saturday’s opponents, Scunthorpe United have released a statement indicating to fans that only 900 tickets remain for the fixture and they’re in the standing area of the stadium. The article is reminiscent of a concert billboard with dozens of ‘SOLD OUT’ notices across every section of the ground.

Article Here – STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR FANS

Perhaps such a situation is to be expected, just 2 days before the game and in a relatively small arena. Further down the news page Coventry City’s Official Site are promising fans a season best crowd that will smash through last season’s record of 22,209 against local rivals Leicester City. Almost 6,000 United fans are expected to roar The White’s on at The Ricoh Arena on November 6th.

Article Here – LEEDS CLASH SET TO ATTRACT BIG CROWD

Again, a sceptic would indicate that we haven’t played The Sky Blues for 3 seasons, and the fixture is viewed as a novelty by local fans…

Also on the page is an article courtesy of Norwich City’s Official Site, the article reads; BE PART OF A RECORD CROWD!

Apparently Leeds United’s arrival in town has spurred the Canaries into breaking the all-seater record crowd for Carrow Road. The previous best of 25,749 when England U21 beat Romania looks set to be consigned to the annals of history.

If only we had a team to match such euphoric expectation…

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Leeds still a MASSIVE draw for fans…

Dirty Leeds Tribute to Andrew Hughes

Signed from Norwich during the dismal Summer of 2007, I doubt many Leeds fans, myself included, knew who Andy Hughes was. To be honest, any player would have done at that point in our history. It soon became apparent that "Hughesy" suffered from the age old plague of many a professional footballer - he was too versatile.

Comfortable across midfield and at either full-back role, it was just too easy to move him to a void in the team rather than let him settle into a position and make it his own. Despite this, he has made 110 appearances for Leeds and although by his own admission he was far from the most technically gifted footballer in the clubs history, it was obvious that his 110% performances more than made up for it.

Hughes has had his critics during his 3 years at Elland Road, but name me a player who hasn't? At a club where your star, 30 goal a season striker is public enemy number one, you can consider yourself lucky not to receive death threats for conceding a corner! Despite the added pressure of pulling on the sacred white shirt, Hughes has played wherever, whenever, knowing that playing left back for the majority of a season was likely to expose him to abuse from the fans. 

Without doubt his finest moment in a Leeds shirt came at Old Trafford, in that legendary F.A. Cup win back in Januray. Tasked with keeping the likes of Rooney, Berbatov, Obertan and later Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen at bay, Hughes out-performed the Premiership stars with a display that matched the top flight surroundings. In a recent interview with The Yorkshire Evening Post, Hughes was unsure of what legacy he has created at Elland Road and whilst I can't answer that question. I can tell you that my lasting memory of a very underrated, low-key player is that of a man who saluted the Revie Stand with raw emotion and passion following our promotion last week. If I had been blessed with enough talent to play for Leeds United, I wouldn't have greeted the clubs promotion any differently. Already without a shirt before the referee had removed the whistle from his mouth, Hughes ran wildly into the on-rushing masses of supporters invading the pitch and was later seen shedding all his emotions in front of The Revie Stand.

To date Andrew Hughes has scored only one goal for Leeds United, a goal that sealed a rare victory at The New Den back in April 2008. With his contract due to expire at the end of the month, I for one feel he has done enough to earn a chance to extent his 'prolific' goal tally. Even if its just for his versatility - Andrew Hughes should be a Leeds United player next season.


The images of "Hughesy" on promotion day will long be an iconic symbol of what it means 'To be Leeds!'

If you agree or disagree, or have no idea please participate in our online poll regarding this subject (it can be found on the right-hand side of this screen).


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UPDATE: Leeds United announced this morning (14/05/10) that Andrew Hughes has been offered a new deal by the club, perhaps they checked the poll first to make sure its what the fans wanted...

Poll "Should Andrew Hughes be offered a new contract with Leeds United?"
Result: 264 votes, YES - 228 (86%), No - 29 (12%), Not sure -7 (2%)

Dirty Leeds Tribute to Andrew Hughes

94th minute equaliser? Thanks, but no thanks...

Two Saturdays in succession Leeds' fixture has featured a 94th minute equaliser. Last week Anthony Sweeney headed Hartlepool level with just 10 seconds remaining, costing Leeds two valuable points. Today, in similar fashion Leeds were on the right end of a last-ditch leveller as Charlie Daniels of Leyton Orient put through his own new to gift Leeds a much deserved point at Brisbane Road.

By all accounts Leeds played very well today and a shots on goal ratio of 5:18 would suggest that a single point is scant reward for such dominance. Perhaps with a little more composure, luck or just Jermaine Beckford in the starting line up we would be celebrating an excellent away win. The situation Leeds found themselves in today as the clock ticked over to added time dictates that this is a point gained but as the more perceptive amongst you may have noticed, should neither added time goal have been scored over the last two weeks, Leeds would be a point better off, a point closer to Norwich, a point further away from Charlton and a point closer to promotion!

As I mentioned yesterday, our 'Fatal 4-Way' with Orient, Walsall, Brighton and Oldham must yield al least 9 points, meaning today's result reduces the margin for error at Elland Road next week to a minimum, a situation exacerbated by Norwich City's late reversal at The Withdean this afternoon. Leeds may find some solace should Bristol Rovers prolong Charlton's dismal form and give The Whites some breathing space before the first of our games in hand on Tuesday but how long can we go unpunished?

Simon Grayson will hope Jermaine Beckford is available sooner rather than later, as we hope to turn these improved performances into much needed points as we enter the business end of the season. For all Jermaine's faults, he is a match winner, a commodity that we sadly lack elsewhere in the squad - Today's game being exhibit A.

I'll say it again, we must make these 3 home games count if we're to avoid a very nervy and uncomfortable run-in. Time to deliver...

94th minute equaliser? Thanks, but no thanks...