Leeds fans overseas

What it feels like to be a Leeds fan in Australia

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Being a life long Leeds fan is a hard enough sentence to serve, particular the last ten years. What makes it harder for me is that I am following the club I love all the way from sunny Sydney, Australia.

I was born into supporting Leeds United through my father and grandfather both Yorkshiremen and mad supporters. Coming across to live in Australia I picked up the drug of following Leeds from an early age, long before the Aussie contingent made it into the first team. Though I won’t even mention one of them as my hatred for him burns for what he did to the memory of the two brilliant Leeds fans.

My earliest memories of supporting the club are watching religiously the hour-long highlights of the First Division matches (soon to be premier league) with my dad. The love of the whites transferred to me as easily as I learnt how to kick a ball. It was an instinct, it must have been apart of our genes.

Growing up being a little young to fully appreciate the brilliance of Batty, McCallister, Speed and Strachan. I was one of those blessed before we knew how much football can hurt to follow. The days it truly took over my life are the time of O’Leary’s babes and the short sharp rise we had to flirt with the top of the league and Champions League glory.

My family had just gotten pay tv which was the window to live LUFC matches and my own 90 minutes of heaven or hell depending the results. The match that most sticks in my mind is a 4-3 win where we came from behind to nab the 3 points with a late late goal. The reason I remember this is because it’s the first time LUFC got me into trouble. It was on around 7am out time, meaning it finished well after the time I should have left to get to my year 6 class. Subsequently arriving late with the excuse that I was watching my Leeds play was not appropriate to others as it was to me. This wasn’t the last time I’d be late to school / work due to needing to watch my club play.

All anyone over here seemed to follow before the Aussies hit the heights for LUFC were the Arses, Mancs or Liverpool. Apart from bumping into some expats I’d never really seen other Leeds fans apart from my family. Leeds for me was ingrown; following them was as much apart of me as breathing or just waking up every morning. Although it seemed day by day I was coming across more and more LUFC shirts in daily life. I did think, we have arrived, we’re taking over.

Little did we all know what was going to happen. It seems the club was throwing money out with the fish tank water of Risdale’s office. Loans from private companies and individuals hurt us (we’d never do this again would we GFH?!), players sold, managers sacked and the ultimate fall. Twice. Relegations and obscurity. My chats to others about Leeds started to dry up to a purely family based affair. Jumping of Leeds to another club like some fair weathered, band wagoning fans was not an option for me. I bleed white and dreamed of one day chanting and singing at the mighty Elland Road.

Championship and League One football hurts in other ways. Not just the embarrassment of the fall, the constant and in 2001 bla bla bla champs league drivel from commentators, not only the fallen giant that all teams get up for to beat us, not the financial struggles, the asset and player stripping… No to me this meant it was getting harder and harder to watch my team.

One day however, through Google, twitter and many a Leeds fan I found the streaming answer. I again could watch my boys in white, albeit at a size of a few cm by a few cms. This enabled my to reconnect with the players, know how barn door billy was our most lethal striker, how the Robbie Rogers sported a clothing label and more importantly and more heartbreakingly would fall in love with my new favourite player only to have Ken sell him off. I went through a stage of buying a shirt with their name on my back, months on and he was sold. Most likely to Norwich. I stopped with names on my shirt after I had enough of this.

Some of my recent matches of Memory would be getting up at 5am to watch Leeds vs Man Utd in the FA Cup third round and seeing Johnny send that ball forward for Beckford to slide on home and heard the Leeds faithful go mental. I was screaming from my lounge and woke the missus up. What a day! The 3rd of January actually became my wedding day two years on. Never forget that date now!

Bristol City promotion game I watched with my dad at a RSL Club as the only two late on a Sunday night sat head in hands as Mad Max saw red early on. Again when Beckford was on the spot to stroke the ball into the net we were jumping around and screaming from Sydney. Spilling beer and cautions from the staff didn’t stop us cheering like idiots when that final whistle went.

About 4/5 years ago my dad and I went and got our LUFC tattoos together. He chose the back of the neck below the collar. For me, outside of the right calf. Meaning I can proudly show my support when I’m sporting shorts out here in Aussie land.

Let’s talk about one of the best day of my life… Seeing my mighty Leeds at Elland Road. You see for our honeymoon my wife and I travelled from Aus to Europe. My goal was to see LUFC at home once in my life. Re-arrange some of our plans enabled me to get along to the home game against Sheff Weds on the 13th of April 2013. An important match with it being Brian McDermott’s first in charge and after a poor run of results we were just as close to relegation as we were playoffs, a familiar feeling.
Elland Road

This was the ultimate Leeds dream come true. I was prepared for disappointment; it is an all too familiar trait of a Leeds fan. Honestly though it was one of the greatest days of my life. Leeds won 2-1, with well, lets not say his name getting a brace. Being inside the ground and chanting and singing the songs were an amazing experience. Spent a bit of coin in the club shop stocking up on presents for myself and the family.

Although the best experience would be the surprise organised without me knowing. I had a call from a mate back home the day before the match while I was following the wife around and carrying the shopping bags (penance for the day at Leeds). I was told to be at the East Stand at 10am. What followed was truly surreal. I got into the stadium before the match, bumping into Norman Hunter and Paul Reaney pitch side leading some corporates around. Grabbing the chance to have a photo with these two Leeds legends. Having some photo’s I’ll never get a chance of again in the Tunnel, on the bench and inside the stadium whilst it was empty. Paul and Norman

Following this truly made the day such a special occasion. I got into the dressing room and met all these players that I had for so long watched on a computer screen during matches. I was shocked and stunned at the realisation that I normally see these guys run around a pitch at a couple of cms high, now I was standing face to face with them. The banter in the sheds reminded me of playing football back home as everyone rolled in and had a laugh, the difference of course would be without the LV Boot Bags.
Billy and I

I met and had photos with so many of the Lads but my most favourite would have to be with the newly mad Club Captain – Rossy McCormack! Chatting to the boys and actually meeting them and shaking their hands was a truly surreal moment in my life. It is one memory that I’ll treasure. To tap it off I had a beer in the players lounge both before and after the game.
Ross

Now it’s getting up to a year since this great day and what’s changed? There has been up until last month a greater sense of optimism and unity at LUFC. Obviously what’s come out recently is another TOMA, more cash woes, little to no signings (but we got ourselves some loaned in wingers!) and the usual Leeds slump.

I’m still madly Leeds and always try to plan my weekends with to watch my club playing from here in Sydney. I loudly cheer every goal, I wince in pain at every conceded and I rant and rave to the wife about all things going on in the boardroom and on the pitch. She’s a good lady as she pretends to care.

One thing is for sure, I am and will always be Leeds.

Tyler Wakefield
@lifeofTy

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  • Marc says:

    Brilliant read…we’ll done upside down fella

  • Christopher Senior says:

    Tyler

    I am in Perth.

    I have been a supported since 1962-3 ish. I moved to Perth in 1986 and have been a expat tragic ever since! 🙂

    If you have a copy of the recent publication of the top 100 Leeds Players as voted by fans I had my little story of my Father taking me as a boy to see the great John Charles at Elland Road published at the back in the fans comments section. just look for the statement by Christopher Senior about his Father Bert! 🙂

    You can buy the book via Amazon if you don’t already have it.

    I think your passion for the Peacocks is fantastic. Personally I cant get used to the new knick-name ‘the Whites’ as they were always the Peacocks to me. I believe they got the name from the old Peaccock pub across the road from the Ground! Elland Road that is!

    MOT 🙂

    Christopher

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      Hey Christopher,

      I’ll have to track that down. I remember hearing about it.

      I didn’t get a chance to have a beer in the Peacock, but definitely know it by sight now!

      Cheers

  • Michael says:

    Tyler loved the article and you do have an equally avid Leeds supporter in me in Australia !
    Watched the fa cup final of 72 in our famous win over Arsenal and that was the beginning of what has been a 40 year obsession with my favourite football team.
    Like you I made the entire family take a detour on our once in a life time euro tour to visit Elland rd in 2010 and watched them play out a 0-0 draw with Doncaster away from home.
    Hope like hell the Italian connection will work as more disappointment would be hard but I will never anything but a Leeds supporter.
    Love to touch base. I live in Sydney and my email is. [email protected]
    Kind regards
    Michael

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      Hey Michael

      I’m so jealous of everyone that was around during the Revie years! Would of been amazing having that week in and out.

      Sydney’s tough to follow at times. I know the Cheers bar on George St often shows games.

      [email protected] is my email too.

      MOT and Eagle Rock!

  • Michael says:

    Mate this is spooky !! Just saw on your twitter site that you follow my other great passion the manly sea eagles. I am also an avid sea eagle fan . I cannot believe I have found my double….. Cheers

  • ChrisE says:

    Top article son!

  • Jamie says:

    Hi Tyler, i grew up in Bradford and supported Leeds, I watched the games through the eighties, I then emigrated to Melbourn. I took my family to the UK last September, my dream was to take my eleven year old son to Elland Rd which I did manage the game was against Burnley 🙁 however, my son said the highlight of our trip was not Rome nor Paris it was going to the mighty Leeds 🙂 marching on together.

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      That’s the perfect answer from your lad there mate.

      I would love to get across with any kids we have in the futre.

  • adam says:

    I am also an lufc fan, season ticket holder of the past 3 years, living in Sydney Australia till July, I miss the atmosphere and I’m craving to watch a game at a bar full of Leeds fans. I hear there’s a supporters group that meet at cheers bar on George street. Meet you there maybe!!!!

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      I try and get to a few of the games on at Cheers throughout the season. Getting in and Back home is the trouble for me.

      I would’ve loved that atmosphere during those Champs leagues nights. It was great for a normal Championship game.

      Best fans in the world!

  • mot paul says:

    How do you get the strems to watch the games, i live in the philippines and dont get to see my beloved leeds anymore

  • Steve says:

    Nice one mate. Those of living in Leeds take it all for granted so its great to read about supporters like you. Hope you can visit again when we make the premiership

    • Brett says:

      Love this article great to see we have support down under I am 21 and have supported leeds know for around 15 years my greatest day was the game against bristol city (promotion) I fortunately live in wakefield witch is as u may know not far from leeds and go and watch them play as and when I can but always watch them on tv or sky sports. Mot.

      • CHANGO puto says:

        Bristol rovers not city

      • Tyler Wakefield says:

        Hey Brett,

        I visited Wakefield when I was over. Obviously with my surname I was keen on having a look about.

        Bristol was a huge game. I was seriously shattered when maxy got sent off… Though JB stepped up again.

        I would’ve loved to of been there that day.

        Cheers

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      Hey Steve,

      Thanks for your comments. There are so many amazing supporters there that truly make us travelers feel like a million bucks. If we’re back in the Prem I’ll get there somehow!

      Keep singing us on!

      MOT

  • Craig Kitson says:

    Great to hear of your passion and dedication for the mighty whites Tyler,also to all the fans around the world,goes to show how fanatical our support is still after these hard times,you truly are a dedicated fan,hope one day soon you come over and see us were we belong in the premiership,sure that’s not too far if now.All the best to the Aussie Whites Out there.MOT.

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      Hey Craig,

      Worldwide support base is Leeds. It’s great bumping into people who support them too. I was doing groceries not long after getting back and was sporting a LUFC cap. The little cash register worker was a Leeds fan! We’re everywhere!

      MOT!!!

  • Great Blog mate ! Keep the faith #MOT

    • mark wakefield says:

      Hey your surname’s the same as mine and I too support the Sea Eagles !!! We should see a game together sometime. Mate loved your passion but ……there were some spelling mistakes didn’t your old man send you to school you’re a real tosser ……………………………………………………………………………..your father

      • Tyler Wakefield says:

        Like father like son.

        You’re the biggest Tosser I know.

        Also, with Leeds and Sea Eagles you’ve stuffed me for life. Eternal pain and eternally hated!

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      Thanks Glenn.

      We’ll be back. We’re too big not to be. Hoping the TOMA is sorted soon and that we get some Football men involved. Needs investment and spending on the proper avenues.

      Cheers

  • Awesome read! I also live in Sydney and have been following Leeds my whole life. Good to see you got to make the trip to Elland Road. Its at the top of my list of things to do when i travel to Europe this year.

    • Tyler Wakefield says:

      Michael,

      Following on twitter now pal. Yeah it is up there on the to do list, must be done. Honestly it’s a great experience.

      If you book your tickets online before going, get there early to collect. They split the collections in the oddest way. From memory A-F, G-L & then N to Z! haha Half the alphabet!

      The club shop blows your mind, especially since I’ve not seen a Leeds strip on sale here in 10+ years! Singing MOT is brilliant too!

      Cheers Fella

      • Michael Sekulich says:

        Tyler next time you head in the city to watch Leeds give me a shout and I will try to join you. Do you live on the northern beaches?

    • Michael Sekulich says:

      Hey Michael are you the kid that played futsal with my son justin? I knew I liked you! Leeds fan what a champion bloke…. Justin and his sister were both Leeds fans until relegation and now they follow our traditional rivals Liverpool. Breaks my heart but if we get up again that may change. I can give you some tips around Leeds City, etc so give me a shout before you go.

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