Saturday, May 8, 2010

Leeds one step closer to where they belong

Leeds United were THE team in English football in the 1970's. To think that the great club that produced moments of magic like this (go to 1:19) would be languishing in the third tier of English football.

Since they reached the Champion's League semi-final the great Yorkshire club experienced a disastrous seven years that has seen the club experience relegations (twice), lost play-off finals, administration and a revolving door of managers. In the ensuing time Leeds have become somewhat of a cautionary tale for teams in the Premier League. When Newcastle United were relegated last year, many fans felt they could "do a Leeds", now that Liverpool have had one poor season, according to Man Utd fans, they will "do a Leeds". The last few seasons have not exactly been brilliant to be a follower of Leeds.

Well today brings new optimism for one of the greatest clubs in English football. Today's attendance in Elland road was a staggering 38,234 people. That's 38,234 fans at a third-tier match, bigger than the full capacity of 11 stadiums in the Premier League! Not since Manchester City were in the old Division 2 has there been crowds of that magnitude in the lower leagues of English football.



Man City should be a source of inspiration for all Leeds fans. The blue side of Manchester was languishing out of the Premier League for nearly half a decade before re-establishing themselves in the top tier and becoming the big-spenders that we know them as today. So instead of being the doom and gloom merchants looking for a high profile side to "do a Leeds", let's instead hope that the once dominant force of English football returns to where they belong and "do a City."

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