Sunderland - 4th October - 24/25

October 5, 2024

Sunderland v Leeds United

Friday 4th October 2024 - Stadium of Light, Sunderland

2024/25 Season


I can never underestimate the impact of me getting to Norwich on Tuesday and Sunderland today have had on my wellbeing. Without the support of my family especially my daughter Michelle, enabling me to have that respite by sleeping all the way there and back on the coach, we are now getting used to a different way of life. The good news is that my husband Phillip has returned home from hospital and got his wish to be cared for at home under the palliative care team. Once again, the support from our fans tonight has been immense and to those who were not aware of my situation at home, I took no offence at anything said. I’m quite aware that not everyone will know what has been going on but am grateful for all the kindness shown.


As my thoughts turned to the game, as long as we didn’t get beaten that was the main thing and a win would be a bonus. We very nearly did get that win however unexpected and I know Meslier is getting pelters on social media. To me, maybe he should have been subbed after getting kicked in the head but also, although I am disappointed with the goal conceded I am not angry. When all his teammates came up to him at the final whistle to show him support, I thought it was a great gesture. Up until then, I had thought he was catching high balls in the area and looking more confident. Life is too short to get worked up about it as what is happening in my family shows. The good thing is we got a point and didn’t get beaten as I wanted as we head into another international break.


Team: Meslier, Firpo, Rodon, Struijk, Bogle, Tanaka, Aaronson, Gnonto, Piroe, Rothwell, Ramazani

Subs: Joseph for Piroe (77), Byram for Gnonto (90), Schmidt for Ramazani (90)

Subs not used: Darlow, Gelhardt, Crew, Debayo, Bamford, Chambers


Leeds drew the game 2-2 with Piroe (22) and Firpo (55) scoring the goals


Attendance: 41,769, 2,102 Leeds fans

Referee: Tim Robinson

Booked: Rodon, Firpo, Bogle


With Sunderland being at the top of the table there was no surprise to see us under pressure from the start. They scored their first goal within nine minutes which was a blow. They kept the ball in from the bye line and although Meslier stopped the ball on the line, Sunderland followed up on the rebound to put them into the lead. That seemed to settle Leeds down as they gradually started to get into the game as Gnonto sent a perfect pass into the middle for Piroe in space to head the ball into the net to equalise. Leeds then showed that the best form of defence is attack as they kept the pressure up and took control of the half. It was only shortly before the break that Sunderland put us under pressure again, but we went in on level terms.


The second half started with Leeds awarded a free kick and their player booked. We then took the lead after a well worked goal with Ramazani jinking his way through the middle of the park before passing to Firpo to continue the run down the wing. He passed to Gnonto in the box who immediately returned it to Firpo who scored with a first time shot to send the away end wild. There had been a great atmosphere amongst our fans, and I loved it. Plenty of older songs were sang too and it’s a great therapy joining in with the singing. With six minutes added on and Sunderland fans had been leaving in droves, the thought did cross my mind that the game wasn’t over yet. Leeds had been in control for most of it, playing very well with crisp passing between our players but conceded a free kick in more added on time. With every player from both sides in a long line across our half of the pitch, Meslier was on the edge of the box, and I said he needed to get back on his line as we were defending very deep. With that a comedy of errors saw Sunderland snatch an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game which for those of us who have been following Leeds United for a long time (over 50 years in my case), we know, that until the final whistle blows, anything can happen. Whether it was the bounce or not, Meslier started to move back not under pressure and went to catch it but missed the ball completely as it hit the back of the net. That was such a shame as I thought we had played really well tonight.


It's happened, we move on and don’t have a game until Friday 18th October where we welcome Sheffield United to Elland Road.


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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