Meet the Leeds United superfan who believes her garden decorations helped the Whites into the Premier League

A superstitious Leeds United superfan painted something in Whites colours every matchday last season, convinced it would send her team up as champions.
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Kathy Williams, 57, who now displays all the objects in her front garden, has been making a name for herself over lockdown.

She said: “It’s just my superstitions really and then by pure luck a lot of people around my area seem to have enjoyed it.

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“And I think it was because lockdown was so depressing and even though we had snow, my garden was still bright and cheery.

Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.
Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.

“You get people walk past when I’m sat in the garden or adding flowers and they always comment on what a beautiful garden.

“Delivery drivers comment on it and children love coming past.”

The garden consists of flowers, birds, statues, animal lanterns and a golfing lady, inspired by some of the team’s players who enjoy their golf.

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Over the season, Kathy, of Caldicot, South Wales, managed to collect the range of knick-knacks by scouring charity shops or finding things people were giving away for free on local Facebook groups.

Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.
Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.

She then painted them herself in the Leeds United colours - yellow, white and blue.

Kathy, who has never lived in Leeds, has supported the team since she moved from Germany to Colchester at the age of six.

“I was really young and Colchester had not long knocked Leeds out of the FA Cup," she added.

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“So of course, all the children were Colchester mad and I just didn’t like it and I thought I’m going to be Leeds - and it stems from there.”

Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.
Kathy Williams' Leeds United themed garden.

Her superstitious attitude is inspired by former managing great Don Revie, who was in charge of the Whites when she was a girl.

Kathy said: “He was superstitious as he used to walk to the end of his street and touch lampposts and things like that.

“I’ve always been superstitious with Leeds, I’ve always had to do something.”

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It’s not the first time that Kathy believes she has helped influence the team’s chances.

“Back in 1992 when we won the old first division I gave up smoking just after the Christmas convinced that that would make us win it and we did," she said.

“And while I was painting last time I gave up smoking again and it worked.”

Kathy used to be a season ticket holder and is eager to make it back to Elland Road as soon as possible.

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She has been taking a break from the decorating this season to let the team settle in but she has big plans to help them out in the future.

She added: “My plan is I’m starting again now so next season I’m going to add bits. I’ve got a huge back garden - and I’ve got blue white and yellow at the back - but I’ve got a lot in the back garden to do yet.

“It’s all quite sad in my head but for me it works and I’ll keep doing it if that’s what I think.

“It has brought a lot of joy to a lot of people around here.

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“We’ve got a lot of Man United fans but they all stick their thumbs up and say fair play it looks great.”

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