Leeds United are heading for the League One play-offs for a very good reason … they are one of the better teams and deserve their chance to join Leicester and Peterborough in the Championship next season. Shame about their fans. Leeds demonstrated their class on the pitch at Hartlepool on Saturday, and demonstrated their lack of it in the stands.
The short delay early in the game caused when a few Leeds fans made a break from the Mill House area to the Rink End full of Leeds fans was only the tip of the iceberg in a demonstration of sub-human behaviour that leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. It would be wrong to label ALL Leeds fans as morons, but it has been clear for years - from the days when they really were a big club and not a pretend one like they are now – that they have a far bigger percentage of mindless yobs amongst their fans than most other clubs do. There were more than 900 Leeds fans in the Rink End and most of them probably enjoyed the game and the result like normal fans would. But a minority spent most of the match goading Pools fans, including women and children, singing hideous chants (including one about Munich which was way beyond acceptable), and made it clear that they consider clubs like Manchester United to be their main rivals, not clubs like Hartlepool. If you think that’s a bit odd for a team in League One, join the club. And we all thought the days of mindless behaviour by football fans were over. If this is big time, give me games against Rochdale, Aldershot and Carlisle any time. In 2008-09, Victoria Park has hosted games against West Brom, Stoke and West Ham from the Premiership and Leicester in both League One and the Johnstones Paint Trophy – three of them Premiership clubs and Leicester heading back to the Championship at League One title-winners. In all four cases, there was none of the bother that came with Leeds – no repulsive chants, no aggression during the game and none after it either. Pools fans were able to leave the ground in comfort and safety, but those who left through Clarence Road exits after the Leeds game had to suffer the spectacle of alleged human beings behaving like animals. This is not the place to debate what can be done about these sub-humans or whose fault it is. But their behaviour makes full members of the human race wonder what is going on and worry about the future of football – while morons like this attach themselves to the game, it will never be fully civilised. Leeds, as a city and as a club, our sympathy goes out to you for your association with this pond life.
I can understand your disgust at the carry on of some of our fans and agree we still have an element of idiots, but in my clubs defence our problem is we bring so many fans away to smaller ground and clubs simply cant deal with them,but one continuing rambling post that continues all over this division and your post is no different is this your not famous anymore bullshite, we know were in division 3 it dosent take a @#$%& rocket scientist to figure that one out, every club in this divison broke its home attendence record over the last 2 years yours included, so whos making us out to be famous not us, and while were on the same boring story just listening to the posh chairman quote weve gone up ahead of big clubs like leeds its everyone else whos making us out to be the big boys in the divison, and as for the manu chants listen to the manu games they still lay in to us over what happened to our two fans in turkey (rip) its nothing to do with arrogance that we slagoff manu, its to do with a historical hatered of each, i really think you need to open up your very small mind and stop taking cheap shots
Cnut Club Enforcer step out of line. I will break your legs
Maybe Leeds consider themselves a bigger club than Hartlepool simply because all their fans follow Leeds and Leeds alone whereas 1 Hartlepool fan at yesterdays game proved himself otherwise by wearing a Man Utd shirt.
That was the only reason why thew anti Man Utd chants started and i dont agree with your reasoning that a history of 50 years of rivalry should stop simply because Leeds find themselves in the 3rd tier.
Man Utd fans clearly agree if their continous 'We all hate Leeds' chants throughout their game with Spurs later that night are anything to go by.
Clarence, oh dear... the only one who is apparently more small minded that the minority of idiots at yesterday’s game is the author of this hate filled article.
Are you that naive to assume or insinuate that Leeds United is the only club with a moronic element? Monkey Hangers included... I have no time for any of our so called 'fans' that insist on singing songs about Munich etc much like I have no time for the Pools fans that sang about Istanbul yesterday...
I have been to the majority of Leeds United away games for the past few years and have seen very little in the way of trouble. You might want to look a little closer to home for someone to blame or at least partly to blame for yesterday’s events. Maybe at your clubs ticketing policy for selling tickets to Leeds United fans in the home end? Maybe for a section of Pools fans who obviously were all sitting their quietly with their halo's shining bright?... In my experience it takes two sets of fans to tango...
Whilst sitting in your little bubble and in your own little fantasy world where big bad Leeds fans are the only hooligans in football you've obviously had a sheltered life and have never been to a Cardiff game or one involving Millwall or West Ham or indeed most football clubs who have a decent following. Did you read the reports of the actions of a section of 'fans' from 'Family Club' Southampton AFC yesterday? Of course you did but that was just them letting off some steam right?
Like ALL other clubs Leeds United has a minority of nut jobs but to suggest that the vast majority of decent Leeds fans come into this category is ridiculous. Has it occurred to you that we have more of this type of idiot because percentage wise we have a larger following?
Hartlepool, as a town and as a club my sympathy goes out to you for your association with this green-eyed clown.
Sloppy, sloppy article by a lazy small time blinkered author.
May I suggest that in the future before you write such an ignorant view against an easy target in Leeds united you take a look at your own fans.
While the Leeds fans did chant songs that are unacceptable such as the Matt Busby song. It was not completely unprovoked as the Hartlepool"fans" sang songs about the Leeds United fans that died in Turkey. Now can you tell me what the difference is here please?
And yes on the day Leeds fans were arrested for invading the pitch, 6 of them but that hardly makes up the majority does it? Also you seem to like making sweeping statements about the subhuman Leeds fans, yet you fail to give any other examples.
Another point you fail to make is the hordes of fair weather supporters that came out with the soul intention to goad the Leeds fans and spent the majority of the game doing nothing more.
Taking this into account I know for certain I would rather have the passionate Leeds fans, even if it does come with the idiotic minority. Rather than the plastic fair weather supporters that come out in their Man United and Liverpool shirts to try and provoke a reaction after watching one too many Green Street films.
"singing hideous chants (including one about Munich which was way beyond acceptable)"
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Sorry, correct me if im wrong, but Hartlepool fans were singing songs about that horrific night in Istanbul, which are equally as unacceptable.
"and made it clear that they consider clubs like Manchester United to be their main rivals"
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Did you not hear the Manchester United fans singing anti-leeds songs during the game versus spurs? Neither did i because i only ever watch one team, but they were apparently. So clearly, they also consider us as rivals, as do the rest of the football league.
Your fans started fighting with the Leeds fans in your end, causing them to spill onto the pitch to try and get to all the other Leeds fans.
Please tell me also, why was there a Man United shirt being wore in the Hartlepool end?
And for the record, i don't mind Hartlepool as a club, or Hartlepool as fans. I think your a decent club.
This article aggravates me though.
we went to match yesterday as corporate wearing suits and ties. sat among your friendly fans till leeds scored at which point got torid abuse from All sections of your crowd.
AT which point we where asked to leave our seats and return to the private box.So the mindless thugs you talk about you need need to look closer to home.
Just looks like a kid in a manure shirt....pretty pathetic really....it's a stupid thread started by a hartlepool moron....Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Speight and Loftus were Leeds Fans Killed in Turkey and Why would Harlepool Fans Incite Hadred with there bile,(slit Throat Gestures and turkish songs trying to get a rise. Why would a Harlepool Fan Wear a Man united shirt in your Home end if not To Bait Leeds Fans and Is probably what started the Predicable Munich chanting.
Leeds Fans have been welcomed and accomadated at most grounds but 900 tickets is part of the problem and Poor segregation is Another, You need to Look In The Mirror before you write such Dross.
We are Leeds We Are Proud - MOT
RIP Speight and Loftus- Ignore the mindless baffoons.
Speight and Loftus were Leeds Fans Killed in Turkey and Why would Harlepool Fans Incite Hadred with there bile,(slit Throat Gestures and turkish songs trying to get a rise. Why would a Harlepool Fan Wear a Man united shirt in your Home end if not To Bait Leeds Fans and Is probably what started the Predicable Munich chanting.
Leeds Fans have been welcomed and accomadated at most grounds but 900 tickets is part of the problem and Poor segregation is Another, You need to Look In The Mirror before you write such Dross.
We are Leeds We Are Proud - MOT
RIP Speight and Loftus- Ignore the mindless baffoons.
One of the poorest, most small-minded piles of junk I've ever read on the Sport Network - and that's saying something. Would've been funnier if you'd let us see it before you ran your spell checker over it.
bit over the top. very emotive language and poor journalism. having looked at the picture posted I think you should instead write an article such as 'to what extent has in-breeding and a restricted gene pool contributed to the population of hartlepool'
Difficult to know a more passionate support for any team - when they visited us i must admit to being impressed with their ability to sing and drown us all out! I saw that most are decent people who care about their team
problem is that after most away matches they seem to get this kind of feedback. A once big club that no doubt willl be big again, but I can't help but feel that the true fans need to distance themselves from the racists and bigots who thrive on violence - otherwise, why should the rest of us have to put up with this? a season without away support may be required!
Best of Luck to Leeds in the playoffs and to pools going forwards!
Nothing to add in reply, Clarence? Shall we sing a song for you?
Yet another "jump on the bandwagon" article by yet another fantasist wannabe journo. We're not famous any more? The column inches afforded us on oppositino websites suggest otherwise.
Still, no hard feelnigs, Clerence, my old son. I hope you get your wish for more games against Rochdale, Aldershot and Carlisle. I'm sure you'll write lengthy articles about your expereince at those games too.
Just a few FACTS (something lacking in this article):
Pools highest league attendance prior to Saturday was 4507. Vs Leeds on Saturday it was 6402.
Why were there nearly 2000 extra fans (50% more than average)?
What’s that I hear you cry? It was an end of season game and you're in a relegation battle.
Oh OK, lets look at 07-08 season when your highest crowd was 7784 vs Leeds. You're next highest was 5619. Again 2000 extra vs Leeds.
It's not because Leeds are a good side either, the table doesn't lie - we're the 5th best team.
FACE IT, a lot of your fans were there for the aggro and to have a go at Leeds. For some reason it is the norm for clubs we have no prior grevience with to 'all hate Leeds, @#$%&". It's just a little bit sad.
Rowley Birkin QC Have the other half of the picture as your silly little site can't handle it.
While we're at it Clarence try asking the hook nosed gent with the blue striped top and scarf on the right for his opinions on thuggery.
Looks like the juvenile squad were off the streets for this one.
Brave little tykes aren't they !
loads and loads. To be honest I thought two poor teams were on the pitch last saturday and I cannot see leeds getting through the play-offs - again. I am sure they will beat the Cobblers though!
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