Joe Donnohue shares what Leeds United fans chanted at Luke Ayling vs Middlesbrough
Leeds United supporters gave Luke Ayling a fond message from the terraces as he warmed up on the sidelines during Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Donnohue.
Veteran full-back Ayling is a legend at Elland Road and remains in the hearts of the Whites faithful after departing for Boro back in January, initially on loan before signing full time in the summer.
Ayling, 32, was sent on to warm up during the first half at Elland Road against Michael Carrick’s side and Donnohue shared what Leeds fans chanted via a post on X (14 August).
“Kop and West Stand on its feet as Luke Ayling is sent to warm-up by the Boro bench. Followed by ‘You’re Leeds and you know you are’, obviously,” Donnohue wrote.
Sadly, while the love was there for Ayling there was not much for the current side who were beaten 3-0 by Boro.
Leeds United fans still love Luke Ayling
Ayling spent seven and a half years with Leeds and was a huge part of the famed Marcelo Bielsa side that earned promotion to the Premier League back in 2020.
Unfortunately, he fell out of favour under Daniel Farke last season and, given his age, it did make sense for all parties that he was allowed to go and get some regular first-team football.
But there is still an extremely strong affinity between the player and the club and Ayling was rightly serenaded by the stands as he warmed up during the opening period.
He had a nice embrace too with former team-mate Pascal Struijk, a sign of just how popular a figure Ayling was with the stands and in the dressing room.
Whatever happens in the rest of Ayling’s career, indeed in the rest of his life, one thing will always be certain – he’s Leeds and he knows he is.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in hot pursuit of a winger from a Championship rival.
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