Cars has been left damaged as Leeds United fans celebrate promotion to the Premier League, which was secured on Friday night.
The club were back in the top flight for the first time in 16 years, so this was bound to attract so many supporters to the stadium, with numbers growing from evening into the early hours of Saturday morning.
As the final whistle of Huddersfield’s win over West Brom, people gathered in the Elland Road car park, some holding flares whilst others sang.
Scenes outside Elland Road. If Loco stuck his head out the window to shout “Leeds Carajo!” I think everyone would die happy pic.twitter.com/Mhc24vIkBa
— Newell’s Old Boys – English (@Newells_en) July 17, 2020
The players, who had been watching the Championship fixture inside the ground, eventually made an appearance to greet the fans, but from an acceptable social distance.
As the celebrations continued, fireworks were let off and police had grew in numbers to make sure the promotion party didn’t get out of hand.
Ben white sign him up #LUFC pic.twitter.com/g64KQJtZ0R
— Brandonه҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈̿҈ (@BRANDNLUFC) July 17, 2020
However, whilst the rest of supporters are left smiling going into the weekend, one of those won’t be after having their car damaged.
It was left completely battered, with smashed windows, dents in the roof and bonnet. Police were reportedly guarding cars parked nearby, however they seemed to miss this particular one.
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Another vehicle had it’s wing mirror smashed apart, leaving another supporter reeling despite their side being promoted, with photos going viral across social media.
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Just like at Anfield, the morning after showed the ground covered in huge amounts of litter.
Thankfully, a donation page has been set up by fans to fund the repair of the vehicles and the rubbish was cleared.
Fans had initially been urged by Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani and the police to stay at home, but the advice was not taken note of.
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
The scenes were similar to those at Anfield back in June when Liverpool won the Premier League for the first time in 30 years.
Radrizzani had said it was “vitally important we stay safe and keep those around us safe too by staying at home”, adding in an open letter: “The fight against Covid-19 is not yet over and we must continue to be sensible.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said earlier this week: “It’s important to remember that Covid-19 is still with us and large gatherings are still not permitted. We understand that fans will want to celebrate, but ask them to bear in mind their own safety and wellbeing, as well as that of others.
“The safety of fans and the wider public is our primary concern and the safest way that people can celebrate is in their own homes.”
As the party started at Elland Road, manager Marcelo Bielsa came out of his home in Wetherby, to a growing crowd of residents and fans.
He already admitted that he would not be paying any attention to the fixture between the Terriers and West Brom, maintaining his point that only Leeds were in charge of their own destiny.
However, at the result was confirmed, Bielsa had no choice but to show himself, before being congratulated.
View this post on Instagram
Dominic King from The Daily Mail reported on the scenes at the ground: “It was an hour after the final whistle when the commotion started. Leeds United had just secured their most significant victory in 16 years and all was quiet around Elland Road until Victor Orta appeared.
“‘We’re top of the league! We’re Leeds United! We’re top of the league!’ A song that should have been sung by giddy supporters in the Don Revie Stand was now being bellowed by Orta, the club’s exuberant director of football, while he gave a piggyback to a friend.
“Sometimes it is impossible to keep a lid on your emotions and this jubilant scene must have been recreated in houses and streets all over a city that has been stirred by the exploits of Marcelo Bielsa’s joyful team.
“Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Barnsley may have been one of their most scruffy displays but the ramifications – at the end of an emotionally charged week – cannot be understated.
“And last night, after 16 years in the wilderness, Leeds’ return to the top flight was confirmed after West Brom lost at Huddersfield.
“To make sense of it all – the desperation for success, the desire to be mixing it with the biggest names – you simply had to spend time on Bremner Square in recent days and talk to those supporters who came in their droves on personal pilgrimages.”
Robbie Savage, who was most recently mocked by Newcastle fans on BT Sport, also had something to say in his Daily Mirror column.
He said: “It would have been almost poetic if Leeds had clinched promotion this weekend at Derby – the club who broke their hearts in the play-offs last season.
“As it happened, they sealed their return to the Premier League without kicking a ball after Huddersfield beat West Brom last night, and I could not be happier for everyone at Elland Road.
“Leeds United are back where they belong.
“In the last few months we have said goodbye to Norman Hunter, Trevor Cherry and Jack Charlton from the great squad of Don Revie’s era.
“I can think of no better tribute to their memories than Leeds United being restored to English football’s elite.
“After a catalogue of near-misses, their time has come. And I can’t wait to see how Marcelo Bielsa approaches the Premier League.”
Fans reacted after seeing cars damaged as Leeds fans celebrate promotion…
Bang out of order that – but think I would of moved my car as soon as the Albion lost .
— Richard Bradley (@BradleyR1919) July 18, 2020
#lufc @lufc just seen it on sky sports. We do all need to help and get it fixed.
— Craig (@CraigLUFC77) July 18, 2020
Need more than an MOT that thing.
— Ben Storr (@benstorr) July 18, 2020
Great social distancing outside the ground, rubbish left all over the place and cars vandalised yep Leeds are back and fans haven’t changed one bit ?
— Bwian of Nazareth (@steveclegg70) July 18, 2020
Nice to see Leeds fans enjoyed themselves last night by trashing there own stadium and smashing employees cars up….very classy Leeds something’s just don’t change absolute scum bags @SkySportsNews sleeping giant fuck off 16 year ago a team of racist thugs got relegated #scum
— gary upex (@UpexGary) July 18, 2020
Leeds fans leave shit all over Elland Road, smash a car up. You don’t know what you’re in for ?
Welcome back Leeds— Kev Greenhalgh (@Scuzzlebutt84) July 18, 2020
Also the fume from other football fans after Liverpool celebrated was ridiculous, absolutely no one complaining now Leeds have done it.
Liverpool are just hated by everyone and we should embrace it.#lufc #lfc #Champions #celebrate— George Penno (Media) (@pennomedia) July 18, 2020
You must be logged in to post a comment Login