Emma Jones: Thank you Leeds United, for bringing us much joy in a trying year

This past week we’ve all been reflecting on the last twelve months.

One year since the first lockdown and so much has happened to change our worlds forever in what has been the most testing of times for everyone.

When so much is taken away, it’s hard not to think about even the most simple things we maybe took for granted.

The game we all love pales into insignificance when compared with the tragedies of the last year, but I know it’s also provided people with a focus and distraction when we’ve needed it.

Watching the footage this week of the last time fans were inside Elland Road feels like a lifetime ago.

Seeing everyone in unison, with such joy on their faces when Ayling smashed home that early opening goal reminds me of how good it will be when we are all back in the ground.

Luke was discussing playing in empty stadiums on LUTV and said, ‘It’s become normal and it’s notnormal.’

Some things will never be the same again, but celebrating a goal with friends and strangers is one of those glimmers of hope we all need right now.

One thing that will also happen, is the opportunity for us all to pay our respects together to the former players we’ve lost this last year too. This week we said goodbye to Peter Lorimer and

Frank Worthington and my thoughts are with their families and friends. Peter has been an ever present around Elland Road for so long, the clubs record goal scorer and an absolute gentleman. Like every one of that great Revie side, his bond with this football club will never fade and I’m so pleased he got to see his club competing so well in the Premier League before he was taken from us.

Patrick Bamford providing a goal and an assist to help Leeds get the three points last week served as another reminder as to why he’s very much on Gareth Southgate’s radar.

In my opinion, he should be at St George’s Park right now. He’s very much focused on achieving the best he can for Leeds and told us on the Official Leeds United Podcast that he’s excited to play Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United consecutively in April.

Thirty nine points with nine games left means (dare I say it?!) we’re pretty much safe in the Premier League and hopefully you’ll be singing the Raphinha chant inside Elland Road very soon!

Thank you, Leeds. In what’s been a trying year, you have provided us all with much joy and entertainment.