Leeds United Season Review
Mark Flecther and Joe Mewis have a look back over a triumphant season at Elland Road
Leeds United: Season Review
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Football is defined by big moments, but it’s the little things that get results and bring glory.
Such was the end to a tumultuous season for Leeds United, as on-off hero Jermaine Beckford pounced on a whisker of opportunity to send The Whites hurtling towards Championship football.
In the end, United’s season came down to one final home game and, to the delight of a crowd that would be the envy of most Premiership clubs, nine months of toil were not in vain. The sheer emotion on display at the final whistle, when United had come from a goal and a man down, had not been seen at Elland Road for years. The roof was blown off the stadium, fans streamed onto the pitch and grown men shed tears of joy.
United’s well-documented fall to the third tier of English football can now be put to bed and the famous club can now focus on building towards greater things. This season’s highs and not-so-highs have provided the Elland Road faithful with plenty to talk about. The will-he-won’t-he transfer of star striker Beckford and his on-field attitude kept Leeds fans going for hours. Add to the mix the heartbreaking injury to player of the year Paddy Kisnorbo, a riotous FA Cup run and the incessant bundle of energy that is Max Gradel, and no-one can say it’s been a dull ride.
Before Christmas everything looked rosy. Grayson’s charges were on an unstoppable climb towards promotion, disposing of teams in stylish fashion. September’s win over Stockport marked their 14th consecutive home victory, breaking a Revie-era record. Elland Road was a fortress and Leeds fans were grinning from ear-to-ear.
Fast forward to April and a different mood had enveloped the North Stand Kop. Boos started to drown out the cheers as Leeds watched an eight-point buffer at the head of the league crumble slowly but surely into a five-way fight for second place.
In between the tribulations and battles of League One, United’s exploits in a variety of cups will leave indelible memories in the fans’ minds. Grayson and his men won the hearts of journalists and football fans alike by knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup and taking Tottenham Hotspur to the brink in their fourth round replay.
Leeds also shone against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, fought back against Carlisle, only to be denied on penalties in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and beat almost every team in League One.
There were highs, lows, frustration and exasperations, but in the end, Leeds did it. They did it by the scruff of their necks, the skin of their teeth and on the last day of the season, but the city can be proud of its team.
Who knows what the summer will bring. All we know is that an incredibly intense season has, for once, ended happily for Leeds, but by Simon Grayson’s own admission, the hard work for next season and beyond starts now.
Elland Road regular Mark Fletcher runs beer reviews website Real Ale Reviews and Leeds fan Joe Mewis’ new book Leeds United On This Day will be out at the start of next season
Posted on Wednesday 26th May 2010
Leeds United FC
Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 OES
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