Portsmouth - 10th August - 24/25

August 11, 2024

Leeds United v Portsmouth

Saturday 10th August 2024 - Elland Road, Leeds

2024/25 Season


Team: Meslier, Ampadu (c), Bogle, Rodon, Firpo, Gnonto, James, Gruev, Rutter, Joseph, Struijk

Subs: Cairns, Aaronson, Darlow, Gelhardt, Byram, Crew, Wöber


Leeds drew the game 3-3 with our goals scored by Struijk (penalty 10), Gnonto (46), Aaronson (90)


Attendance: 36,432 with approx. 2,800 Portsmouth fans

Referee: Oliver Langford

Booked:  Rodon, Struijk


The first game of the new EFL Championship season was upon us before we knew it. It doesn’t seem two minutes since we were at Wembley watching us once again lose in a play off final but once it was over, I felt like I’d been hit with a sledgehammer so was ready for a rest. Then Leeds selling Archie Gray and telling us that fans would not be welcome on the preseason tour to Germany sent me into a downward spiral. Sadly, all that paled into insignificance when my baby granddaughter was hospitalised for days three times over a five-week period. Thankfully her infection levels are back to normal and if we hadn’t seen enough of Calderdale Royal, I spent Tuesday night there with my husband in a and e and we’ve had another trip there on my return from Elland Road today. It never rains but it pours (as it did during the game today), but it would be so nice to have some normality in our lives for once.


Leeds came out on fire at the start, with constant attacking and hitting the woodwork three times in front of the south stand. Gnonto’s shot deflecting for a corner, Ampadu’s header hitting the bar, then Firpo’s shot saved by the keeper. Another free kick saw a great shot from Gruev that hit the top corner before Leeds took the lead when they were awarded a penalty after James was brought down in the area. With Summerville now gone and Piroe on the bench, we were wondering who our penalty taker would be. When Struijk stepped forward, it wasn’t a surprise to see him take it as he had looked very composed last season when we had to rely on penalties. Our pressing football either took its toll or we eased off, but it put Portsmouth back into the game. Their player turned in space, but Leeds cleared the ball only to see them put another pass straight back and Portsmouth put the ball into the net past Meslier to equalise. Joseph nearly had his shorts pulled off him as he got the better of the Portsmouth player before Gnonto saw the keeper pull off a great save to stop us getting a second goal. Portsmouth then won a free kick far out from goal which Rodon headed out from the area. The ball was picked up by their player who skipped to the right unleashing a long range shot that went into the net putting them into the lead just before the break.


At half time the discussion was that we would see what sort of response the team had for the second half. We were at the top of the steps and couldn’t see a thing as Leeds got off to a fantastic start when Gnonto hit a low shot that went into the net to equalise. There were no celebrations as the team wanted to get straight on with the game. Joseph brought a great save out of their keeper before Bogle brought their player down in front of the south stand and the referee awarded Portsmouth a penalty. They duly scored to take the lead again sending Meslier the wrong way, but sadly, at that time, I could see that coming. What I didn’t expect now was us to equalise when Piroe picked up the ball outside the area, passed to Aaronson on the edge of the box who stepped to one side and seemingly rolled the ball into the net to equalise once again. The drama wasn’t over there as Leeds should have won the game at the death when Aaronson in an even better position than the one, he scored from, put the ball wide.


The positives are that we did not get beat and got a point, playing some great attacking football. The negatives are that when we switched off, Portsmouth scored with ease. It’s very early days obviously and I will always make my observations by what I see on the pitch. Middlesbrough on Wednesday night beckons for the League Cup game the result which will be decided on the night.


See you there. LUFC – Marching on Together!



After game celebrations Bristol City H 28.4.25

April 29, 2025
After Game Celebrations Monday 28th April 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season What a night and it wasn’t finished there because at the final whistle, the fans carried on singing as the team came out to celebrate being promoted to the Premier League. This is how to celebrate as we stayed for a good hour after the end of the game enjoying the atmosphere and the moment and what a moment it was. This was the night that we were robbed of when we were promoted under Bielsa, and it shows how much we relished the chance to celebrate in style tonight. We even wore the microphone out at the end of the game! It still feels quite surreal that we have been promoted when we had two games still left to play. With one game left, we are back in pole position at the top of the league. I want nothing more than to get 100 points and win the league at Plymouth at the weekend. With both us and Burnley on 97 points it will go to the wire but make us even prouder Leeds by staying at the top.

Alexis mascot & fans Bristol City H 28.4.25

April 29, 2025
Leeds United v Bristol City Monday 28th April 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season First of all, I want to thank Leeds United and Joe Rodon for giving my granddaughter Alexis an amazing experience as a mascot tonight. Coming out to the sight of scarves waving all around the ground that had been donated by the club plus the tremendous noise of us singing Marching on Together is a moment she will never forget. After the last year we have had as a family culminating in my husband’s death and the subsequent grieving for him, I don’t think I can underestimate what this evening has meant to us all. Alexis was like a giddy kipper especially as she hadn’t got too much sleep last night as she was so excited. We headed to the ground very early to ensure we didn’t have any traffic issues. Luckily, we arrived in good time and after waiting with her at the West Stand main entrance, my granddaughter Hannah and I then headed into the ground although separately. I can’t remember the last game I’ve been into a home game so early, but it gave me a chance to catch up with other fans before kick-off. It was a proud moment seeing Alexis come on to the pitch with Rodon. A big thank you to everyone who told me they appreciate my posts today because as always they are gratefully received which makes it worth doing.

Bristol City- 28th April - 24/25

April 29, 2025
Leeds United v Bristol City Monday 28th April 2025 - Elland Road 2024/25 Season That'll teach me to take so many photos last night as it's taken until 9am to whittle them down. All photos will be on my website very shortly where I share my love of Leeds United with fans around the world. First of all, I want to thank Leeds United and Joe Rodon for giving my granddaughter Alexis an amazing experience as a mascot tonight. After the last year we have had as a family culminating in my husband’s death and the subsequent grieving for him, I don’t think I can underestimate what this evening has meant to us all. Team: Darlow, Ampadu, Rodon, Bogle, Gruev, Tanaka, Piroe, Gnonto, Solomon, Aaronson, Firpo. Subs: Bamford for Piroe (81), Ramazani for Gnonto (81), Joseph for Aaronson (86), Guilavogui for Tanaka (86), Byram for Firpo (89). Subs not used: Meslier, Gray, Cairns, Wöber. Leeds won the game 4-0 with Tanaka (21), Gnonto (55) and a Ramazani brace (82, 90) making it a convincing win. Attendance: 36,310. Approximately 1,900 Bristol fans. Referee: James Bell, Booked: Tanaka. Leeds started off well attacking the South Stand and could have taken the lead three times in the opening minutes. Their keeper made a couple of good saves then from a corner we caused problems in their area before Solomon sent a great cross into the box for Tanaka to put the ball into the net. Having had a goal by Solomon disallowed for offside shortly before (replays later showed this was a correct call), it was nothing more than Leeds deserved. When Solomon was put through again, their keeper managed to sit on the ball and catch it at the second attempt to prevent us taking a greater lead. From a corner, Tanaka headed into the side netting but despite al the pressure we went into the break with only the one goal in front. There was a great atmosphere below the stands and luckily it was only a beach ball that hit me in the face as someone said I should have headed it. At least it created a laugh. The second half saw Leeds batter their goal, but they somehow survived the onslaught when first Firpo then Gnonto were denied a goal and Bogle saw his shot hit the post and bounce back. Leeds saw a fantastic pass out of defence from Piroe that went straight into the path of Gnonto who ran forwards and put the ball into the net to increase our lead. Ramazani had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes after replacing Gnonto, as another attack saw Bamford win the ball and set Firpo up to send a perfect pass into the centre for Ramazani to score. Now there was no way back for Bristol. To be honest there was only one time in the first half when Darlow did a kamikaze run off his line that Bristol came near, but we were able to thwart the attack. We hadn’t finished though as another perfect pass from Gruev set Ramazani on his way to score a second goal on the night and be the crowning glory which he celebrated with a somersault and back flip.  See you on Saturday for the last game of the season. LUFC – Marching on Together!
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