IN LEEDS WE TRUST: It’s been a great time for us but we won’t be resting on our laurels

In this week’s column from the Board of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust reflect on a successful season on and off the pitch.
The Leeds United Supporters Trust Gary Speed mural in Bramley.The Leeds United Supporters Trust Gary Speed mural in Bramley.
The Leeds United Supporters Trust Gary Speed mural in Bramley.

The first season back in the Premier League that we’ve been dreaming about for so long has finally reached its conclusion, and we can take great pride in the way we have reintroduced ourselves to the highest level of English football. A top half finish is a fantastic achievement and an excellent platform to build upon going into next season.

The final day was an emotional affair as fans returned to the stands and we said goodbye to two of our heroes in Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi. It was incredible to hear noise ring out from the stands around Elland Road once again, and the players were clearly relishing the fact they finally had an atmosphere to play in front of. Even if it couldn’t be in front of a full stadium, having at least some fans there to thank Pablo and Berardi for all they’ve given to our club made the send off feel much more complete.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Congratulations are also in order for Raphinha who, having received the most man of the match awards through our weekly polls, has won our Paul Madeley Memorial Award for player of the season. From the nutmeg on Cahill to his goals against West Brom and Everton, Raphinha has given us plenty of moments to remember in his very first season and looks like perhaps the best signing Orta and his team have made to date.

It’s natural at the end of the season to reflect upon all that you’ve achieved, and we at the Trust will be doing this in the same way as the club. We’ve also had a season we can be proud of. We completed two more murals for Gary Speed and Pablo, organised the protest of the European Super League plans outside Elland Road, raised money for local foodbanks with our boycott ‘pay per view’ campaign, held a live event in coordination with our partner charity Andy’s Man Club and seen hundreds of new members join.

It’s been a great time for us, with a huge amount of fantastic work being done, but we won’t be resting on our laurels. Already this weekend after months of work to secure planning approvals we will finally be seeing our newest mural brought to Pudsey Market. A huge thanks has to go to our friends as LUSCOS who have worked with us and provided financial support on this project along with local businesses Avanta Care, Barker Harding and of course our members who have been so generous with donations.

The work we do here at the Trust will continue right through the close-season and into the next, and this mural is just one example of that, so keep your eyes peeled for more projects in the near future.

Adding your own voice to the Trust’s work is easy. Visit our new website at www.lufctrust.com and you can become a member for just £10 per year.

Marching on together.