The battle-cry of Legends
Look at the image above. It symbolises the commitment and passion of the great Leeds United sides of the past. Warriors all, if you cut one of them, they all bled – and as one they hunted down the offender and served up retribution. This applies to the Title-winning sides in my lifetime, and to any of the Revie Boys. You did not mess with those lads. If you wanted to play, they’d outplay you. If you wanted a fight – woe betide you. You’d be out-fought and then outplayed. You’d most likely be beaten either way. Surrender? It just wasn’t in their lexicon.
Back, reluctantly, to the present day – leaving the memories of those beloved heroes in White back in the past where they dominated and triumphed, making us all proud to be Leeds. The cold and stark reality of today is of a very different breed of player. Too many of the current squad – the ones who should be setting an example to yet another batch of richly-promising youngsters currently emerging – would look at that picture at the top and think to themselves – Keep Fighting? What for? What’s in it for me? Can’t I just slide out from this and do something easier? Why not have a weekend off “injured”??
Six players have declared themselves injured on the eve of tomorrow’s game at Charlton Athletic. Count them. SIX. That’s to stretch the credulity of the fans rather far, surely – if not the medical staff. Don’t forget – these are fans that revere the fighters we’ve had down the years. They won’t have much time for wimps.
Neither, it appears, do a couple of more recent United players in Messrs. Whelan and Matteo. Both are scathing in their criticism of any players who may have felt they can’t be bothered this weekend. When these men – men who have worn the shirt with pride – show their contempt and disgust, then why should the fans have any more patience, belief or faith? The fans have even more right to be disgusted – appalled – at such craven behaviour. Whatever is going on at the club, there is no excuse for desertion – and this situation stinks of precisely that.
I exempt the club’s young stars from this criticism. They have done all that might be expected of them this season, and more besides. They have been let down abysmally by those they should be able to regard as role models and mentors – just as we, the fans have been let down.
This, on the face of it, is rank betrayal of a stripe I’ve rarely if ever seen at Leeds United. Either that, or it’s a remarkable coincidence. The coincidence would be in the timing of all these supposed injuries, the origin of the players allegedly affected and the fact that the club is currently having a tough time. When the going got tough, certain alleged competitors seem to have waved the flag of surrender. That’s not the type of white flag we approve of at Elland Road.
If what is being suggested all over various media tonight is true – then certain players should never wear the Shirt again. Perhaps, on the evidence, they don’t wish to. Either way, if they’ve chosen to claim falsely that they’re injured and unavailable, then they should do themselves and the rest of us a favour – and ship out. That type of player – cowards and faint hearts – are not wanted at Leeds.
Never have been, never will be.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Rob
When CELLINO took over I wrote here that the club would have been better off going into administration rather than have him as our owner.
I was shouted down, but from the off this proven fraudster and criminal was always liable to destroy the club and take us in to oblivion.
The Football League, who are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination got it right by deeming him unfit for purpose and it was a disgrace that he WON his appeal .
I blame him totally for undermining REDFEARN and probably encouring these gutless yellow bellied creatures who have offered us nothing this season to effectively go on strike tomorrow.
As fans we must make a stand.
We must ALL BOYCOTT the Rotherham game!!!!
This disgusting owner of ours needs to go now, and he also needs to realize that we, the long suffering and totally distraught fan base have had enough of his disgraceful antics.
One final thought. Our owner is actually trying to destroy Leeds United. Let’s digest this and weep!………
LikeLike
I supported Cellino – and I’ve had to change my point of view. The important thing now is the survival and eventual success of Leeds United. At the moment, the club is rotten at the core – and the rot is spreading outward to consume the whole institution, legend and all.
LikeLike
Madman.
You must be full of glee and i told you so’s.
I wonder what you were doing as Bates raped our club.
You call for a boycott of the Rotherham game but 90% of internet fans dont go anyway.
if we get a new owner we will come to you for approval.
LikeLike
No mad…we should turn up in huge numbers for our young lads and tell the owners and Board what we think, by chanting and singing all the way through…floook em all mucker but don’t let them drive us out…MOT/YRA
LikeLike
Cellino is a disgrace. He saved us at a point in time with his financial input which at the time was obviously welcome. However he is more than crazy probably and allegedly due to the fact that he enjoys Colombian weed.
I felt so sorry for McDermott and now look what he is doing to Redders. He’s vermin with no British football knowledge. Redders unfortunately will be back with the academy and we can look forward to more misery next year if he remains in control. He is an ego maniac fuelled by dutch or columbian courage and needs to sell out asap or we will deffo sink.
LikeLike
Well said. Redders should put out the best team he can, bring more youngsters in. The season is dead so treat as a good, hard training session. If we get beat, OK, but if we were to put on a damn good display then ureka, we may have found the magic formula. As for the Italians, they should pack their bags and get the next flight home. No wages, breach of contract, their careers ruined. They are not fit to clean the boots at this club. Also, if it is true, then Cellino and company better start organising Plan B cos we don’t want anymore castoffs.
LikeLike
Rob, as you know, I brought 18 students from New Zealand to the Cardiff game. The lads couldn’t wait to come to the club I rave on about and am ferociously loyal to.
Outside the ground, the boys bought merchandise, had their picture taken by the Billy statue and soaked up the unique atmosphere only Leeds fans can create.
Inside the ground, the boys loved the scale of the ground, the passion of the fans and waited impatiently for kick off.
Then the problems started….we kicked off….what the boys did see was players clearly going through the motions and appearing to have their heads, bodies and worst of all spirit somewhere other than on the pitch.
The fact is the players were an embarrassment and the only saving grace from our visit was the fans. Our boys felt the soul of the club and understood it. For that reason alone and nothing else the trip to Elland Road was worth it. We deserve so much more.
Mot from NZ
LikeLike
I’d been wondering how it went, Jon. Hope the whole trip was a big success!
LikeLike
Hmmm what we’re you doing with boys from new Zealand they do know Jimmy is dead?
LikeLike
I haven’t agreed with you a lot recently Rob but you are 100% right here. We are approaching the tipping point. I would rather a Leeds young ‘un play than a Brazilian/Italian superstar on zillions a week. At least then we would see commitment. And let’s face it, that is the number one attribute for a Leeds United player. This is why we love Hughes, Jones, Batty, Baird and even Bremner (although the latter was also supremely gifted).
The absolute stupidity shown by the club over the last few weeks beggars belief
LikeLike
Having trawled the internet, esp twitter I think Silvestri and Antenucci seem genuinely injured. The rest…well have you boys got your bags packed? Unfit…to wear the shirt and badge.
This great club needs a summer of being properly sorted. Every week something bizarre happens that creates a toxic and highly damaging atmosphere.
LUFC needs steady, honest, open, ambitious leadership. There needs to be new ownership and proper financing; a board that looks after business and leaves the football to
a management team.
The fans need to be given hope for the future, and very soon! Cellino is able to return on May 4. Let’s hope he is away by June 4.
LikeLike
Have they been told they wont be retained for next season with the exception of sil./anti .
The rest you are not fit (and i dont mean to play ) to wear the shirt , so go and start your hols early cos you will not be welcome back.
Good luck to the REAL PLAYERS
LikeLike
I look at the names of the six players mentioned. Will I remember most of them in two or three seasons’ time? Probably not. Maybe they will be the answers to LUFC-related Trivia questions in the future, and we’ll all be scratching our heads…
Players walking into Elland Road have a unique chance to make something of their short careers at a great club, to be remembered, to aspire to something special like the blokes in the four photo’s at the foot of the page.
Our squad needs to be locked in a room with blokes like Andy Hughes and Jack Charlton for an hour. I don’t think they’d be left in any doubt what it should mean to pull on the white shirt, language barrier or no language barrier!
LikeLike
This is a end to redders or the it the end of the italian mafia.
LikeLike
Sorry about the double talk (it the)
LikeLike
I smell mutiny and cowardice, with the team now losing every game and with only three games left, the towel has been thrown in, but I think that the towel has been thrown in since the disjointed performance at Blackpool.
I have questioned the commitment and bottle of some of the European signings, since they all signed in the summer and I am now proved right. The Championship is the toughest league in the entire world to play in and it’s no place for Fancy Dan” players, from that soft and cuddly league, called the Serie B.
Leeds will never get anywhere with Cellino signing inexperienced Serie B players, instead of signing experienced Championship players and former Premier League players.
Maybe Redfearn will now get his chance to pick the much stronger Stuart Taylor in goal and whoever actually wants to play for Leeds, rather than a bunch of scared rabbits, who have no feeling for the club.
Let’s hope that the Football League completely ban Cellino from coming back to Leeds.
LikeLike
Rob,
How can antenucci and silvestri & co consider themselves true proffessionals(as suggested in antenucci response on twitter).The others are on loan I suggest they save themselves time and book immediate flights back to Italy or Timbuktu that’s how much use they are. They will never never never again be trusted by the fans of this great club they are an abomination.
As I sit here going thru my mind all the excellent player who have worn the shirt even the not so good one;s,who have at least fought for the cause.
Whilst in the service I spent some time in Italy near to Naples, I got to know some great people but they and I would have no time for these people, sadly a fellow fan and terrace compatriot said to me they thought the love of the club and game has gone from many professionals it’s all about MONEY these guys only value their value not their written word on said contract
So I and many others here say pack up and leave because you have lost us and we (I) don’t want any of you!!
Don
LikeLike
Hi Rob, Excellent article, we the fans need to make a stand and as the previous post said boycott the Rotherham game hit them in the pocket, it’s the only way to drive these Charlatans out of our club before it’s too late, as you say it’s rotten to the core.Sacking Thompson was to disrupt the team and redders,giving him the excuse to sack him, then he will cash in our young talented players to bring in more mercenary loans from Italy.We need to unite as one voice and drive Him out before next season before it really is too late.
United we stand divided we fall.
LikeLike
The fact that they all trained on Thursday with no problems would suggest that this is being orchestrated, by whom and to what ends we can only surmise. It would seem outwardly as a further attempt to marginalise Neil Redfern however, at least 4 of the 6 aren’t fit to wear the shirt whatever their physical condition so no great loss there and what bigger motivation can there be for the TRUE WHITES to beat Charlton? As for the mutineers, I suggest Coventry, and not city.
LikeLike
It will be interesting to see how Stuart Taylor does today, a great oportunity to give the man some game time. Also got a REAL fighter back in the team now that Rudi is back after suspension. So a bit of good news there. Surprised that Mirco has cried off, I thought he looked like a fighter. Shows how wrong you can be. But hey, all of the ‘sicky six’ can go for me. If they don’t want to play for Leeds United, well good bye and good luck. I hope they can all find clubs who don’t need commitment from their players.
LikeLike
i could not believe what i was reading 6 players all injured so they say on the eve of a match and all signed by massimo chelino well well its a demonstration a strike against leeds united
i am discusted at this it makes me feel sick all the sweat and graft all true legends have worn our white shirtour motto is KEEP FIGHTING DONT GIVE IN NOT THROW THE DUMMY OUT OF THE PRAM these players should be sacked disgraced and sent back home you never disgrace the white shirt of leeds if your lucky enough to wear it this starts from its celino hes undermined all thats good in leeds legends and i warn you now sell up now or be hounded out of leeds you will not be allowed back and take your yellow bellied players no not players they are not good enough to be called that piss of back now disgraced sacked THE BIG DON REVIE AND CO WILL COME BACK TO KICK YOUR ARSES OUT OF ELLAND ROAD give the young guns a chance now if we lose thats ok but fight for the shirt and if you play well you will keep it its time for the young guns to come out shooting and put some honour back into the white shirt.for you that dont want to be hear piss off and leave us now this includes you massimo chelino tipical italians when the going gets tough they run to the hills.
LikeLike
I do not understand what is going on at Leeds , the suggestion in the media is ,these six players ,Cellini’s players, have all withdrawn as group, to what end? Under orders? If so why?
Cellino cannot have orchestrated this to isolate redfern, get the team hammered and use that to fire the coach. That for me is too underhand..
Mirco claims a leg injury, the keeper a back problem, these I could accept but this withdrawal of labour is akin to Leyland in the seventies.
The physio staff claim they knew nothing, the keeper posted a picture on f.book, it looked bad, therefore they should have known.
All 6 should be reporting to Thorp arch this morning and be checks out, any found to be fit to play should be fired on Monday.
Leeds united this season have lurched from one crisis to another, people blame cellino , why would he waste time and money doing the club down? Leeds in the Premiership would be worth millions more, why not try and get there?
Leeds have been a shadow of their former self’s for over a decade under funded, overhyped and badly managed. There appears to be no solution.
despondently yours
MartinW
LikeLike
Pingback: Charlton v Leeds Rebellion & Preview – t’ Teams, t’ Schemes and the White Rose Tinted Spectacles | 72 And Below
well said
LikeLike
Silvestri and Antenucci are defending themselves on social media and they may be genuine casualties. Del Fabro, Cani, and Doukara haven’t been getting a look in. Bellusci is a temperamental hot head. However, as the primary relationship of all these players is with Cellino, not Leeds, their no-show could indicate they know more about the owner’s plans for the future than the rest of us.
LikeLike
Tell you what rob ,, I’m 51 yrs old and I’d still walk to bloody London , and back ,to wear the white shirt…. This lot sum up what’s going wrong ,, no heart or fight in them ,,, one or two will be genuine but the rest have decided to have a jolly this weekend ,, get rid ASAP
LikeLike
Just bad news after had news. Wonder what our weekly kick in the bollocks for long suffering Leeds fans,will be next week
LikeLike
Looks like we don’t need em boys though hopefully Marco and the Ant are genuine. Morrison scored, we have found the grail hey…turn up to Rotters at home and let the twats know who we are…SSER…MOT/YRA
LikeLike
Cellino out and take some of the scum signed with him. If the physio didn’t say they were injured then they’re not. Don’t want to see any ev again and if they do turn out at ER then we should boo them from the off. Sad to say when we have to boo our own team but enough is enough. Turn up in huge numbers for Rotherham and let all the chancers know who we are if they dare to turn up again. Bloody disgrace and no more chances or excuses for some of this squad. Really hope the FL can ban the Hatter again. Desperate times when the FL seems more like one of our own than certain players and the owner but it will make us stronger. FT at Charlton…feel so sorry for our great lads and lasses who went down to London. Give the wages of the skiivers to those fans. The least the club can do is pay for their tickets …MOT/YRA
LikeLike
Well done to berradi though, for not getting involved and for travelling with the team despite carrying an injury
LikeLike
Lost for words! Billy is officially turning in his grave. These mercenary wimps MUST be shipped out ASAP. Would you let a poisonous influence on your kids? I think not. Our starlets need protecting from such insiduous actions. They may think it’s ok course it’s not. If Cellino returns in 2 weeks and cracks the whip i’ll forgive some of the mess he has caused and made,but i doubt it. After all,who brought in the Italians? It’s easy to say blame the foreigners but in that case how come all the others in this division don’t have these problems?
I’m sure many fellow Whites will agree the saddest loss will be Silvestri. Ok he’s lousy on crosses and commanding the box,but our GD would be horrendous but for his saves. They have betrayed the badge all of them OUT! I don’t want to see any of them left in August…
LikeLike
Today after a long and hard period of reflection. I decided I will not pay one single penny more to my beloved Leeds. I have imposed this small but personal boycott as a protest until I see that some realistic and logical ownership/management structure is put in place in our club.
Apart from the debacle of players not turning out (goalkeeper excepted), logical sackings, stupid managerial appointments and failure to see a good management team, the apparent endless series of stumbling from one crisis to another has just about sapped my soul.
We proudly and justifiably proclaim ourselves as the best fans in England and have always Marched On Together but I say it is a time to stop marching and stop contributing hard earned funds to support the series of greedy megalomaniac idiots who are destroying our club.
My heart goes out to the young guns and the manager, but when you hear a senior player (SM) saying that Redders cuts a sad figure putting out cones and carting balls to training, an unjust sacking is inevitable one would suspect. It’s time for supporters to stand up and fight and not just voice disapproval but to follow it with action.
For me as a supporter of several decades it means no renewal of season tickets, no LUTV, no programs, no merchandise, stop visiting Leeds United site (clicks matter) and although it breaks my heart it is a stand I am making. I think by doing the same as a fan base we might have a chance of removing ourselves of this cancer,
The comment in your article was “KEEP FIGHTING”, well it is time in my opinion for fans to have a new battle cry STOP MARCHING AND START FIGHTING ON TOGETHER”.
LikeLike
It’s not an easy decision to make, but a brave stand to take and a principled one too. Fair play to you mate, I hope you have cause to be back soon and that you’ll contribute here in the meantime.
LikeLike
Definitely not an easy decision and not taken lightly. I’ll be Leeds till the day I die but in the decades I have followed the club what is occurring now is not just a travesty but it is reducing us to a complete farce. I too was prepared to give Cellino a chance; as a bit of a maverick, something that should appeal to most Leeds supporters but the reality (leaving aside the side swipes from the league) has been utterly ridiculous. The home grown talent nurtured under Redders has stepped up, some of the older players have step up but the club ownership management have failed utterly. I have dealt with people like this in business and I can guarantee you will never change them, the chaos will continue – guaranteed. Every now and again the fans will be thrown platitudes, false hopes but these in reality will be crumbs from the table of a person who has an overinflated belief of their own self-importance and believes everyone and anyone who disagrees with them are idiots.
Of course I’ll continue to watch out for the second great love of my life. I will visit this site which remains one of the few places guaranteed to talk sense and raise the odd smile when it comes to things LUFC – for that thanks to you.
LikeLike
The club issued a statement saying we must protect our assets..ie. the same mercenaries who betrayed us! It should have been the young players they meant. Boycotting the club is not the way David. That’s taking it out on the decent players like Morrissey,and the rest who showed up plus the youngsters. Rob,this is my fav place online to air views. You don’t get the clicks you do at other sites.
Your views on the likes of Millwall darn sarff (You’re in bandit country now) are commendable.
LikeLike
Cheers Michel – I like to think it’s a broad church here, all views welcome! Each to his own and all that.
LikeLike
Michel – It is exactly to protect the real assets of the club but also it’s future, in my opinion, that this action must be taken. Having dealt with people with a similar outlook in business to our current owner, I promise you everyone will be blamed bar the person really causing the chaos. They will have every excuse, “nothing to do with me”, “better next year”, “everyone must try harder”, “why everyone against me” but the real root of the problem is their personality and their inability to manage without causing chaos, they feed off conflict. It does not mean they don;t make money but it will always be entirely in their own interest. It’s perverse but there is nothing as strange as some folk.
LikeLike
cellino has been in the press this morning saying that he promises Leeds fans a beautiful season next ,,,no good players will be leaving and that at least 4 good players will be brought in,, ok rob, if he keeps the young lads and gets rid of the dross , if he delivers this “beautiful season” then I’m prepared to give him a chance…. If not then I’m afraid it’s curtains for me ,, I took the Mrs and two kids to the Blackburn game and apart from the obvious expense it was embarrassing ,, I’m trying to teach these youngans to support and love Leeds but I’m pissing in the wind
LikeLike
Surely, at some point, Leeds United will have to stop blatantly managing our expectations and manipulating us as a fan-base – and do what it takes to actually deliver on the field. Time is running out, you feel, as far as mass blind loyalty goes.
LikeLike
That’s what it is Rob , blind faith ,, I mentioned to a friend of mine who supports Rotherham that some Leeds fans were thinking of boycotting the Rotherham game and he said why would they boycott their cup final ?
Quick witted but cutting and I’m afraid they are not far behind us these days and is this all we can hope for
LikeLike
He who laughs last laughs longest, Mr. O – I fear that Rovrum’s season may yet end in tears. I just hope it doesn’t enable Miwwwaww to stay up!
LikeLike
Yeah me and you both rob ,,, get millscum down
LikeLike
Like he delivered the stadium and Thorpe arch
LikeLike
as far as Thorpe arch and the stadium are concerned ste ,, what choice did he have ? he’s been in one legal wrangle after another since taking over , I’m sure as a business man he’d love to own lufc and all its assets outright but if you were going to lay out millions buying the club lock stock wouldn’t you want to be 100% sure it was a safe investment ? All I’m saying is , if he delivers his promises next season then we’ll all end up with egg on our face by turning on him too quickly , if he is all mouth and trousers then next season he will be found out.. I for one hope he can deliver once the football league get off his back , he’s openly said he’s running out of time , by that he means he’s not going to live forever , I’m in my 50’s’ now and know how he feels and one thing I want is to see this club at the top once again before my demise , at the moment all I have to cling on to is an crazy Italian who swears he wants what I want for Leeds United
LikeLike
Good comments Mr Orange. I fear Cellino is bothered about his ego more than anything else in life,never mind Leeds! It’s not a coincidence we have lost 5 games after Neil losing his assistant. The stability is gone/never was anyway. Why hasn’t our manager being offered a new contract? He’s the one that steered us clear of relegation.
David,i read your comments. I respect your principled stand. I agree Mr Cellino seems as unscrupulous some of your clients. His ban has not stopped his influence. I’m afraid if things carry on this way Redfearn will feel forced to resign,then all our young stars will be sold off,replaced by more of the dross we are already stuck with.
1 last thing. What happened to Adryan? He was the one import showed a bit of class. I think he deserved a chance. Rob,agreed. Our loyalty as fans is being abused by the Elland Rd hierachy. I just hope next season somehow..things improve. Them 6 Judases will not be selected again this season. Good on you Neil!
LikeLike
I’ve for a purple polo I will be wearing for the rotherham game.
If enough of us do it, might be more effective than a boycott. Would make interesting photos for our “friends” in the press
LikeLike
Why not do both? Wear the purple if going to the game with already paid season tickets . My point was why pay another new penny to support an incompetent regime?
If as Michel says we will be left with dross post summer; why pay for it?
Why pay to support a regime where the Sporting Director sacks a key assistant to Redders and then runs away crying to Italy because he was upset by the reaction!
Cellino despite his absence is still in charge – totally and utterly! The interview with Umbers makes that plain. Nothing will happen without his say and only his opinion will matter.
It is up to each and every supporter to ask themselves, after the evidence of the past year, do you trust this individual? In terms of acquisitions and choice of managers alone his decisions have been mostly damming. The promises about the stadium have not happened. Our Coach is now being made to look poor by causing of chaos in the background; why, because the emperor never destined Redders to be in that role in first place and now must prove himself right by doing a good guy down. It’s all a big ego trip which this guy feeds on.
LikeLike
Well David,Redders getting any credit was not on his agenda. Only Cellino getting the glory will do. I was glad when he came in. He did most certainly save us from administration,but sometimes you wonder was it all worth it? I can’t think of another club in Britain who have given the press a field day with a year of bad decisions causing negative press. Many who post on here were proved right with their predictions. I hope mine is wrong.The young lads are our lifeblood. They trust Neil he MUST be given a chance next season. Without them what will we have next year?
LikeLike