‘Outstanding’ – Many Leeds fans react to Phil Hay post on Elland Road changes
Athletic journalist Phil Hay put out a tweet about Elland Road on Sunday that attracted a lot of attention from Leeds United fans.
He said, “Best thing they ever did was make the South Stand a home end.”
Hay used a clip of Mark Viduka scoring against Chelsea in front of a half-empty stand to illustrate his point. No limbs, no noise.
The difference now is dramatic, with limbs from Leeds fans welcoming any goal from the home side.
There were a lot of Leeds fans who agreed with Hay about the decision that was taken by Simon Grayson.
But not all Leeds fans feel the same way. One made a very good point about the atmosphere at games saying, “I’m split on that – yes, you get the limbs, but I do think an end each gives more atmosphere throughout the game. Having them tucked away in the West stand is just weird.”
Hay agreed that the West Stand solution isn’t a good one.
One Leeds fan asked whether this would have to change back if Leeds got promoted to the Premier League but, as another fan pointed out, Leeds have already sold season tickets in the South Stand to home fans.
https://twitter.com/Champions1969/status/1251960851680169989
A few fans had solutions to what should happen at Elland Road if Leeds are promoted – and it’s worth remembering that there are tentative plans to expand it to a 50,000 capacity.
One said, rather uncharitably, “Solution. When we expand the ground, shove the away fans in the gods! Be a rocking 360 degrees ER then.”
Another said split the South Stand half and half, although he followed that up by saying there wouldn’t be any fans in Elland Road for the next two seasons because of the Coronavirus. That’s a gloomy thought for a Monday.
Another suggested putting them back in the Cheese Wedge, although as one fan pointed out, this wouldn’t be big enough.
Finally, one fan said that the South Stand needed more development and said another tier would be “outstanding”.
It’s a bit of a dilemma. We think atmosphere at football grounds is best when you’ve got away fans behind the goal, but the Premier League will be a different proposition, with some clubs wanting to bring a lot of fans to Elland Road.
Putting away fans in the West Stand has also caused controversy around ticket prices – the West Stand is expensive for both home and away fans.
But half and half in the South Stand when it’s Leeds v Man United? We’re not too sure about that.
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