LEEDS United's Wembley-bound stars were the toast of the city today after a footballing night to savour.
The Whites will contest the League One play-offs final at the home of English soccer next Sunday thanks to their thrilling win over Carlisle United last night.
The match will cap a remarkable campaign for Leeds, who were tipped for relegation by many pundits after being docked 15 points by the Football League last summer.
They have also had to cope with the upheaval caused by the mid-season exit of manager Dennis Wise and the arrival of replacement Gary McAllister.
SEND YOUR MESSAGES OF SUPPORT TO LEEDS UNITED BY CLICKING HERE - WE'LL PUBLISH THE LOT.Leeds United Supporters' Club chairman Ray Fell led the praise for a side who now have the chance to write their names into Elland Road folklore.
He said: "They really delivered when it mattered.
"We have had a lot of knockbacks in recent times, so it's great to be on the road again. Let's hope we can finish it off at Wembley."
Leeds legend Peter Lorimer told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "It was a fantastic result last night.
"It would have been sad if we had not got to Wembley after the season we have had and the pressure we have been put under.
"It's also wonderful for the fans – their backing has been amazing. It was one for them."
Lifelong United fan and Leeds MP Colin Burgon said: "I'm so pleased – it's just a tremendous feeling.
"The final should be a magnificent occasion."
Next Sunday's showpiece fixture will be United's first visit to Wembley since their 3-0 League Cup final defeat against Aston Villa in 1996.
The Whites last lifted a major trophy at the ground in 1972, when Billy Bremner, Allan Clarke and co saw off Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup final.
United have been allocated 36,000 tickets for the big match, where their opponents will be either Doncaster or Southend.
WE WANT YOUR CELEBRATION PICTURES. SEND THEM IN BY CLICKING HERE - WE'LL PUBLISH THE LOT ON THE WEB AND IN THE PAPER.Walk-up sales to season ticket holders get under way at Elland Road tomorrow at 9am.
The Whites are urging fans not to panic about missing out on the game.
They stress that all season ticket holders and members who registered with the club before May 3 are GUARANTEED a place at Wembley.
Security
Victory next weekend would lift Leeds back into the Coca-Cola Championship a year after they dropped into English football's third tier for the first time.
Police made 12 arrests before, during and after last night's game.
It was not clear today whether those detained were home or away fans.
A major security operation was mounted at the match after disorder marred the league meeting between the two sides last November.
The full article contains 488 words and appears in n/a newspaper.