Leeds fans overseas

What it feels like to be a Leeds fan in Ireland (Cork)

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In 1975 as a 6 year old I was introduced to Leeds utd, it was the night of the European cup final
and my friends older brother persuaded me that Leeds were the team for me.
Since that night I was hooked, you don’t need me to remind you of the many highs and sadly the more regular
lows but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Life as a Leeds fan in cork in the 80’s meant you were totally dependant on BBC radio 2 and the the BBC vidiprinter.
It was big news to discover we were going to be live on TV at home to Everton on a Friday night in 84,
other than the delayed showing of the cup semi in 87 v Coventry TV coverage of Leeds games was as scarce as hens teeth.
Elland road had assumed a sort of mythical aura a place we would never get to see,
all was to change after promotion in 89/90 suddenly Leeds games were shown regularly on ITV.
One day while at work i noticed one of my customers had a Leeds utd sticker on his car window, needless to say we spent the next hour
talking Leeds utd, he suggested the possibility of forming a supporters club in cork,the word spread via a newspaper ad and before long
the cork branch of Leeds utd supporters club was formed, the level of interest was huge and life long friendships were formed.
We had countless trips to Elland road over the last twenty years as well as painful memories of trips to Wembley v villa and Doncaster
and Cardiff v Watford,but we just keep coming back for more.
Since relegation in 2004 a lot of those who claimed to be “huge Leeds fans” suddenly vanished, but the genuine fan stuck with it.
As I type this we have just gone one behind at blackburn but the eternal optimist in me hopes that when this article is published
we will have turned things round and headed back over the Pennines with three points.
Nowadays your typical Leeds fan in cork is closer to 50 than 40 and if you spot a youngster wearing a Leeds jersey you
would consider him a protected species.
I reckon that when we eventually reclaim our place in the top flight those of us who stayed loyal since 2004
should give themselves a pat on the back.
We need to be in the premier league and the premier league needs Leeds utd,
marching on together,

Jim Mullins Cork

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  • G ORich says:

    Leeds Till we Die ! Know the feeling, we live in Poitiers-France now but STILL keep the Faith.
    MrsORich Senior ( LUFC Chat-Forum). MOT!

  • James says:

    Nice article Jim. I’m one of those protected species (from Cork and 29) and love LUFC. In 89 my neighbour convinced me to support Leeds. Did I know what I was signing up for – NO. Would I change a thing – NO WAY. Since we dropped down to the lower leagues I did the Leeds thing and dug in my heels even more. I support Leeds more in the last 6 seasons than I ever did. I’m proud to say I’m a Leeds fan and I like to stand out from the crowd. Cork is covered in Liverpool, Man U and now Chelsea and Man C fans. Supporting Leeds shows respect to a great club not just for trophies.

    • jim mullins says:

      fair play james, its easy to follow man utd, liverpool etc, but as you say i wouldnt change a thing, m.o.t

  • Neil Robinson says:

    Jim,

    Nice Personal Account Of The Birth Of The Cork Branch. Facinating..Thankyou For sharing
    That. As A 12 Year Old For The First Visit To Elland Road In 1970 Standing In What Was then The Lowfields Terrace (Now The East Stand), I Was Hooked. The Shear Atmosphere ,Billy, Johnny, Big Jack And The Rest Of The Boys In All White Did it. Wherever I’ve Travelled In The UK And World, I’ve Always Come Across Leeds Fans And The Comradery Flows.I Genuinely Believe No Other Club Has What Us Fans Have.The Pride Is Emense In Saying “Im A Leeds Fan”. My Young Daughter Is Now Hooked As I Was.She Sings Along With Marching On Together. Take Your Kids To ER And Let Them Get Leeds In Their Hearts.Neil From Chester. (Sorry For The Caps…Must Change This Bloody cheap Mobile Phone !)

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