Football Travel: Leeds United

We pay a trip to Leeds United’s Elland Road ground in the club’s centenary year. With a huge fan base and periods of high achievement behind it, the Yorkshire club is a perennial sleeping giant – and well worth a visit.

We lived the dream. I remember for chairman Peter Ridsdale’s infamous words after Leeds United banked its future on receiving consistent Champions League money, only to fail to make the Champions League while being left with large loans to pay off. The club fell as low as League One (third tier) but is now back on track in the Championship (second tier) and will expect to challenge for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

About Leeds United

Leeds United FC was formed in 1919 after its predecessor Leeds City was forced to disband by the Football League following allegations of financial irregularity. It was not until the 1960s that Leeds started to break into the elite. Manager Don Revie switched the kit from blue and yellow to all white to replicate Europe’s most successful side, Real Madrid.

Revie led Leeds to its first major silverware with the 1968 League Cup and Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (forerunner to the UEFA Cup and Europa League), followed by the first of three First Division titles the next season. Another Fairs Cup followed in 1971, the FA Cup in 1972, another title in 1974, and a controversial European Cup final defeat in 1975.

The last of Leeds United’s three titles came in 1991-92, the season before the launch of the Premier League and the last time an English manager – Howard Wilkinson – led a team to the English title.

The matchday experience at Leeds United

Elland Road is England’s 14^th largest football stadium, with an all-seater capacity of 37,890. I paid £34 including booking fees for tickets in the main East Stand a game against Brentford – not a key opponent – a few days before the game and even then there were only a handful of seats left.

The East Stand was built in 1992-93 season and was at one point the largest cantilever stand in the world. I was high up and the view was fantastic from the back and you can really appreciate the movement and formation of the players.

The last time I came to Elland Road I sat closer to the pitch and from there you really get a sense of how intimidating the atmosphere can get at Leeds. The fans are non-stop from the strains of club song Marching on Together until the final whistle, although there were periods when the atmosphere was reduced to a murmur as play lulled. The crowd clearly has high expectations of its players and appreciates good moves and touches.

How to get to Elland Road

Elland Road is 2.5 miles (3.5km) from Leeds city centre so is best reached by car. I walked it in around 45 minutes and arrived just in time for kick-off.