Tears on the Kop - Leeds v Bristol Rovers

[revieboy]

Saturday 8th May 2010, Elland Road, Leeds. Kick Off 3pm

A blanket of grey cloud hung ominously over the home of Leeds United, as an unseasonal wind hurried across the pitch, flurrying through the stands and on up into the rafters of the historic stadium. For the devoted support that gathered on the streets outside, an ocean of shirts and scarves, the day had begun well with predictions and debate fuelled with a few pints to settle the nerves. Hope was not enough for many as they gathered like pilgrims around the shrine of King Billy, garlanding his outstretched arms and touching his boots for just a glimmer of good luck. This was a momentous day and the magnitude of the occasion clung to the cold air and hung heavily in the stomachs of the expectant faithful.

As kick off approached, the stands became an ever changing tapestry of white, only a small corner of the stadium an unsightly blot on the scene. A buzz of anticipation gathered momentum on the kop, as oversized footballs bounced across the tiers and comedy balloons whirlygigged through the air. As the starting lineup was announced, the crowd cheered in unison at Graysons side before a murmur of surprise greeted Beckfords promotion to captain, was this an inspired decision?. There were only moments until the tunnel was extended onto the pitch and the team poured out to a cauldron of noise as the anthem of Marching On Together filled them with pride.

Leeds showed positive intentions from the kick off but it was evident that Bristol Rovers would not be taking a buccaneering approach to the game as they attempted to stifle play. In the early stages it was obvious the home side were superior but there was tension in the crowd, the kop were aware that a win was the only option and were reluctant to check scorelines elsewhere. True to form, the fiery Max Gradel had started with a verve but when he was released into space on the right he showed a lack of composure as his blasted cross into the area flew behind the waiting Becchio. Elland Road was a whole mixture of emotions as the nervous support sang their hardest in an effort to inspire the team but time seemed to vanish away. Only moments later their was sheer joy in the stands as the ball hit the net but this turned to disappointment when Beckfords goal was disputedly ruled out. The crowd then looked on in dismay as Gradel showed his inability to handle the pressure as he was dismissed for a moment of madness, Leeds task now seemed even more difficult as the passionate Ivorians tirade at the referee was only stopped by Beckfords intervention.

As the players trudged off for half time and into the tunnel, much of the crowd huddled and murmered in reaction to the magnitude of the situation while others retreated to the comfort of the bar. There was hope amongst the fans as scores elsewhere remained favourable but equally there was a harsh realisation that Leeds had to win against the odds. The interval passed like a blur as the pressure and nerves appeared to change the whole concept of time.

Ten men ran onto the pitch their ears ringing with Graysons words of inspiration and their nerves steadied by the passion of the crowd. Yet only two minutes into the second half Leeds were undone as they momentarily lost concentration allowing a solitary Bristol player to cut back a pass for their midfielder Duffy to swivel and score. All seemed lost, the realisation that the team were a goal down and a player short with time ticking away almost silenced the crowd. Despite this serious setback the team kept their composure and Leeds manager Grayson played his first card by introducing the local lad Jonny Howson in place of Shane Lowry. The makeshift formation became an almost 3-3-3 with Bradley Johnson filling in at left back, and the number fourteen made an immediate impact by driving forward at the Bristol defence. Only minutes later as the fans fidgeted with their watches and as hope faded with every passing second, Howsons moment arrived, Bradley Johnson slipped as he crossed from the left but the magnificent Becchio showed composure to lay off a simple pass. In the most desperate of circumstances, with every single one of the thirty eight thousand crowd watching, with Leeds promotion on the line, the young Howson showed the composure of that legend Billy Bremner to curl a crucial goal sweetly into the top right hand corner. Such was the quality of the finish it took a moment for the crowd to realise before the stadium erupted into a thunderous roar of relief. The goal had injected a new belief into the Leeds team as they took control of the game in pursuit of the winner, the captain Beckford had showed a passion for victory throughout the match in some ways redeeming himself with the fans. Four minutes passed, the Leeds crowd having replace Gradel as the eleventh man and within the rules of the game. Bristol looked nervy and overrun, their keeper making a hash of an easy pass out which the industrious Beckford managed to block, as the ball deflected out to Johnson once again the Leeds midfielders cross richocheted in the box presenting an opportunity to the Leeds number nine. Beckford adjusted his body, ensuring that he could direct his finish into the net as the crowd behind the goal watched in hunger of victory, and the striker finished with aplomb, the most important Leeds goal for years. Elland Road, the dedicated supporters who had suffered three seasons in the third tier, the manager and staff in the dugout, all exploded in a celebration of sheer joy and relief as Leeds United took the advantage.

After finally settling down, nervous chants of Leeds Are Going Up began to spread through the kop, the hardcore fully aware that almost half an hour still remained tried to keep their nerve, because this is Leeds United and nothing is ever easy. As ashen faces prayed in the stands the team remained composed with Higgs showing great authority in goal. Time passed slowly and nerves were almost settled when Leigh Brombys header was only denied by the post. As the final whistle got closer Beckford was replaced and fittingly placed the captains armband on Howsons arm, despite recent displays his place in Leeds history confirmed. A small section of the crowd got ahead of themselves eager to hear the whistle blow, invading the pitch before quickly returning to their seats. Only a minute or so later Leeds promotion was complete amidst unbelievable scenes as the crowd poured onto the pitch against the advice of the stadium announcer. Grown men shed tears of joy and relief on the kop as they watched a single flag paraded amongst the masses with those famous words emblazoned across it, MARCHING ON TOGETHER.

On May the 8th 2010 Leeds United earned promotion to the Championship after a season of unbelievable ups and downs, the likes of which only Leeds fans can endure. Only one step away from a place in the top tier of English football Leeds march on.

[joluafc4eva]

Absolutely fantabulotios

[Twiggster]

FU - CK - IN - BRILLIANT, Revieboy!!!

You will hear me in tears, reading that out on GGL on Thursday!

Words fail me mate...you are a sodding POET!

THANK YOU!

[revieboy]

CHEERS

inspirational

[Squarebackmatt]

Top one mate!!!

Just 2 points. Gradel's shoddy pass through the box in the first half. I thought it was beckford that it went behind??!!
And again I thought it was beckford that laid the ball for howson's goal??!!

I may be wrong though

[lambriniwhite]

AMAZING! x

[revieboy]

Top one mate!!!

Just 2 points. Gradel's shoddy pass through the box in the first half. I thought it was beckford that it went behind??!!
And again I thought it was beckford that laid the ball for howson's goal??!!

I may be wrong though

you're probably right, I had one too many beers that day and the other match reports didnt give me much detail. I guess I will say poetic licence

[revieboy]

no it was definitely Becchio who laid it off for Jonny though!

[Squarebackmatt]

no it was definitely Becchio who laid it off for Jonny though!

just looked at the link twiggs put up of the video of the goals and its beckford that t's him up

[Twiggster]

no it was definitely Becchio who laid it off for Jonny though!

just looked at the link twiggs put up of the video of the goals and its beckford that t's him up

Bj flicked on to Luci, who set up Howson
Just watched the highlights again on LUTV, - much better quality video than the clip I posted on here.

[Squarebackmatt]

your right i was listening more than watching lol

i retract my last post

[Shields53]

no it was definitely Becchio who laid it off for Jonny though!

IT was Becchio, having watched a few of the commentaries on Sunday one of the did say it was Beckford though.

[Velotrax]

Saturday 8th May 2010, Elland Road, Leeds. Kick Off 3pm

A blanket of grey cloud hung ominously over the home of Leeds United, as an unseasonal wind hurried across the pitch, flurrying through the stands and on up into the rafters of the historic stadium. For the devoted support that gathered on the streets outside, an ocean of shirts and scarves, the day had begun well with predictions and debate fuelled with a few pints to settle the nerves. Hope was not enough for many as they gathered like pilgrims around the shrine of King Billy, garlanding his outstretched arms and touching his boots for just a glimmer of good luck. This was a momentous day and the magnitude of the occasion clung to the cold air and hung heavily in the stomachs of the expectant faithful.

As kick off approached, the stands became an ever changing tapestry of white, only a small corner of the stadium an unsightly blot on the scene. A buzz of anticipation gathered momentum on the kop, as oversized footballs bounced across the tiers and comedy balloons whirlygigged through the air. As the starting lineup was announced, the crowd cheered in unison at Graysons side before a murmur of surprise greeted Beckfords promotion to captain, was this an inspired decision?. There were only moments until the tunnel was extended onto the pitch and the team poured out to a cauldron of noise as the anthem of Marching On Together filled them with pride.

Leeds showed positive intentions from the kick off but it was evident that Bristol Rovers would not be taking a buccaneering approach to the game as they attempted to stifle play. In the early stages it was obvious the home side were superior but there was tension in the crowd, the kop were aware that a win was the only option and were reluctant to check scorelines elsewhere. True to form, the fiery Max Gradel had started with a verve but when he was released into space on the right he showed a lack of composure as his blasted cross into the area flew behind the waiting Becchio. Elland Road was a whole mixture of emotions as the nervous support sang their hardest in an effort to inspire the team but time seemed to vanish away. Only moments later their was sheer joy in the stands as the ball hit the net but this turned to disappointment when Beckfords goal was disputedly ruled out. The crowd then looked on in dismay as Gradel showed his inability to handle the pressure as he was dismissed for a moment of madness, Leeds task now seemed even more difficult as the passionate Ivorians tirade at the referee was only stopped by Beckfords intervention.

As the players trudged off for half time and into the tunnel, much of the crowd huddled and murmered in reaction to the magnitude of the situation while others retreated to the comfort of the bar. There was hope amongst the fans as scores elsewhere remained favourable but equally there was a harsh realisation that Leeds had to win against the odds. The interval passed like a blur as the pressure and nerves appeared to change the whole concept of time.

Ten men ran onto the pitch their ears ringing with Graysons words of inspiration and their nerves steadied by the passion of the crowd. Yet only two minutes into the second half Leeds were undone as they momentarily lost concentration allowing a solitary Bristol player to cut back a pass for their midfielder Duffy to swivel and score. All seemed lost, the realisation that the team were a goal down and a player short with time ticking away almost silenced the crowd. Despite this serious setback the team kept their composure and Leeds manager Grayson played his first card by introducing the local lad Jonny Howson in place of Shane Lowry. The makeshift formation became an almost 3-3-3 with Bradley Johnson filling in at left back, and the number fourteen made an immediate impact by driving forward at the Bristol defence. Only minutes later as the fans fidgeted with their watches and as hope faded with every passing second, Howsons moment arrived, Bradley Johnson slipped as he crossed from the left but the magnificent Becchio showed composure to lay off a simple pass. In the most desperate of circumstances, with every single one of the thirty eight thousand crowd watching, with Leeds promotion on the line, the young Howson showed the composure of that legend Billy Bremner to curl a crucial goal sweetly into the top right hand corner. Such was the quality of the finish it took a moment for the crowd to realise before the stadium erupted into a thunderous roar of relief. The goal had injected a new belief into the Leeds team as they took control of the game in pursuit of the winner, the captain Beckford had showed a passion for victory throughout the match in some ways redeeming himself with the fans. Four minutes passed, the Leeds crowd having replace Gradel as the eleventh man and within the rules of the game. Bristol looked nervy and overrun, their keeper making a hash of an easy pass out which the industrious Beckford managed to block, as the ball deflected out to Johnson once again the Leeds midfielders cross richocheted in the box presenting an opportunity to the Leeds number nine. Beckford adjusted his body, ensuring that he could direct his finish into the net as the crowd behind the goal watched in hunger of victory, and the striker finished with aplomb, the most important Leeds goal for years. Elland Road, the dedicated supporters who had suffered three seasons in the third tier, the manager and staff in the dugout, all exploded in a celebration of sheer joy and relief as Leeds United took the advantage.

After finally settling down, nervous chants of Leeds Are Going Up began to spread through the kop, the hardcore fully aware that almost half an hour still remained tried to keep their nerve, because this is Leeds United and nothing is ever easy. As ashen faces prayed in the stands the team remained composed with Higgs showing great authority in goal. Time passed slowly and nerves were almost settled when Leigh Brombys header was only denied by the post. As the final whistle got closer Beckford was replaced and fittingly placed the captains armband on Howsons arm, despite recent displays his place in Leeds history confirmed. A small section of the crowd got ahead of themselves eager to hear the whistle blow, invading the pitch before quickly returning to their seats. Only a minute or so later Leeds promotion was complete amidst unbelievable scenes as the crowd poured onto the pitch against the advice of the stadium announcer. Grown men shed tears of joy and relief on the kop as they watched a single flag paraded amongst the masses with those famous words emblazoned across it, MARCHING ON TOGETHER.

On May the 8th 2010 Leeds United earned promotion to the Championship after a season of unbelievable ups and downs, the likes of which only Leeds fans can endure. Only one step away from a place in the top tier of English football Leeds march on.

Fcuking awesome , a top drawer report

[Norm]

Very good report revieboy, full of appropriate emotion.
Extremely well done and thank you.

[Twiggster]

Read out on the Glory Glory Leeds Show and it'll be online in a short while...an absolutely wonderful and emotional experience it was, reading that out! Thanks again mate!

[revieboy]

cheers thanks

glad everyone enjoyed it

[matt leeds]

Knowing revieboy, that report shows the heart the guy has got for our club.

Revieboy you are a genius and though I was there with you on that wonderful day, reading your report yet again brought a tear to my eye.