The ritual of the Leeds United football fan – what it means to me. From the moment I win Leeds tickets for my son and myself in the ballot the rituals begin. We go through the same rituals every match – because we are tribalist about the team that chose us and football is an unpredictable game.
I have watched Leeds United many times of the years – mostly at Elland Road, but it was only last year that I finally managed to bring my son fully into the clan – not quite born into Leeds United like myself – but better late than ever. It still feels like Leeds United chose him. With the planned stadium expansion he has set his sights on a season ticket.
Once I had taken my son to Elland Road for the first time that vital stage of becoming a fully fledged fan was complete – watching them live at home. There are many aspects of this baptism that make it complete. These are the rituals below.
Football fans are sometimes suspicious characters. We have to wear the same shirt. It used to be a sea of white but this season it is half yellow and half white. When we lost to Burnley FC I worked out it must have been because we were at the wrong end of the ground and Leeds started on the wrong side.
It start when you get up at 5.30am in the dark to begin your journey to the match. For us, it is a minimum four hour road trip. The devotion of a long day there and back. On the way there we take bets on the likely score – I am always overly optimistic – it is the hope that kills you.
Then there is that moment when you pull into a motorway service station still an hour away from Elland Road – but close to a rival like Leicester City – and seeing the Leeds shirts ordering a coffee like you. You are part of a clan on the same journey.
That moment as you drive down the slip road and see the ground – the corner of the stadium with the huge sign saying Leeds United FC. You have arrived at this cathedral of football.
Watching Leeds United at Elland Road is a ritual in that we perform the same acts every time we visit – parking, lunch etc. I also look out for The Square Ball magazine – these are fans that know what they are talking about.
One hour before the match starts and you receive the notification on your phone of the first team line-up. Not a lot changes happen with Daniel Farke so if there is, then it is a talking point.
Walking up the steps and seeing the green grass – the hallowed turf. As the ground opens up you stop and take it all in. In an hour the ground will be full, the referee will be insulted, the banter with the away fans will begin.
That moment when you hear the whistle on the speaker that begins over 30,000 fans in the stadium singing “Marching On Together” – I always look forward to it. The away fans are reduced to spectators in awe of the atmosphere of a stadium vastly bigger than most of our rivals in the championship.
That moment when Leeds score, with thirty thousands screaming for the team, creating that intimidating atmosphere, is an adrenalin rush. The win against Leicester City last season, coming from behind to dominate the match was a highlight that will stay with me and my son for a long time.
If Leeds win, staying behind to celebrate with the players and Daniel Farke is all part of the ritual and sense of dominance that we want to feel is Leeds. Having won we don’t want to leave just yet – we all sing I predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs. And sometimes “Leeds are falling apart” by Joy Division, because we have a sense of humour.
It is a long journey home – over four hours. If we lose it always feels like it takes twice as long. If we win there is much to discuss and listen on the radio for match reports. If it is an evening match we might not be home till 2am in the morning. But it never feels like too much. It is about creating memories.
