Marching On Together – Why Leeds United fans sing the greatest ever football song
Marching On Together has become iconic not just among the Leeds United fanbase but across the footballing world in general.
It is synonymous with Leeds and represents what Whites fans are all about – supporting each other through the good times and the bad.
Whether it be the dark days of League One or after the Peacocks’ promotion to the Premier League last season, supporters have shown that they are a family.
But where does Marching On Together come from, and why do Leeds fans sing the famous anthem?
Why do Leeds fans sing Marching On Together
When Leeds United reached the 1972 FA Cup Final, they didn’t just prepare to face Arsenal at Wembley, they gave birth to a club anthem.
The single ‘Leeds United’ was released to coincide with the final on 6 May, 1972, and MOT, originally titled “Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!”, featured on the B side and became the club’s enduring battle-cry.
Written as an original by songwriters Les Reed and Barry Mason, the song was unique as it was made for fans of the Peacocks.
In contrast, the likes of Liverpool’s You’ll Never Walk Alone and Nottingham Forest’s Mull of Kintyre were adapted from original songs.
- The single spent nearly three months in the UK charts, peaking at number 10 before being retitled as ‘Marching On Together’.
The Peacocks ultimately won their FA Cup outing 1-0 and won their first ever FA Cup.
Since that Wembley moment, Elland Road has played the song before kick-off at every home game.
MOT was written at the peak of Don Revie’s era, when Leeds were dominating English football. They were league winners, had multiple cup successes, and a squad full of icons.
Yet, it carries the message of persistence through ups and downs.
MOT and the stabbings in Istanbul
The song was already adopted by the club before the 2000 tragedy, but MOT became even more fitting after the events.
Before the 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final in Istanbul, two Leeds fans were stabbed to death by Galatasaray fans.
Four men were arrested and charged with their murders. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England, with Galatasaray fans being banned from attending the second leg in England.
Leeds supporters still remember the events and continue Marching On Together with Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who tragically lost their lives.
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