How Leeds United provided something to believe in during a tough year for the city

It is often said that when times are tough, people turn to faith.

Many people across our great city have been thrown into unimaginable grief during coronavirus pandemic.

In the darkest of times, though, communities in Leeds have come together, from clapping for the NHS on doorsteps to funding local food banks for those who need help the most.

And Leeds United has played a vital role in keeping morale up for fans who usually attend their own place of worship - Elland Road - on a Saturday afternoon.

After 16 years away from the bright lights of the Premier League a return was secured in the summer. Fans have been barred from stadiums. But for 90 minutes on match days, people have been able to focus their tension away from the struggles of the pandemic, and into the game of football.

Sport is, and always will be, a game - but when the Whites were needed most to provide a little glimmer of hope, distraction, and something good, they gave us all a rare smile in the most testing of times.