Leeds United promoted to the Premier League

Football is arguably the most important sport in the UK. It is home to some of the best football teams in the world such as Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester to name a few. Despite not being a big football fan myself, it was still impossible not to get excited as Leeds United won the Championship this season. After 16 years of numerous false promises and heart-breaking defeats (usually in extra time) Leeds United is finally back to the Premier League!

Only a few weeks ago many Leeds United fans would not have dared to dream of playing against Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea.  So, it came as a real shock watching them win match after match in the empty stadiums caused by the coronavirus. Twitter was filled with the hashtag #LeedsUnited which trended worldwide. Videos of fans rejoicing and fireworks cracking in the city filled the timeline. There was a video of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, better known as the actor who plays Jamie Lannister in the popular TV series Game of Thrones and a famous Leeds United fan, celebrating on Twitter. Yes, that’s right, Leeds United is the *official* team of Jaime Lannister!

(Picture taken of the stadium prior to COVID-19 pandemic) 

The British are not ones to celebrate modestly. A few days after the historic moment, a street in front of Trinity Leeds in the city was renamed Marcelo Bielsa Way, paying tribute to the manager of Leeds United Marcelo Bielsa who brought back glory to the team and the city. When you get a chance to visit the city, or while you are in Leeds during your studies, please check out this street!

Elland Road Stadium, which is the home stadium of Leeds United is just a 20-minute bus journey from the city centre. On match days there will be dedicated bus services from the city centre. During the match, you can fill yourselves up with the traditional Bovril, which taste similar to a beef consommé and a savoury pie to nibble on. You will be a true Yorkshireman then!

Before coming to Leeds, why not learn some Leeds United songs so that you can chant with the locals on match days? They have two main songs, Marching on Together and Glory Glory Leeds United. The latter is actually the same tune as the Manchester United chant, although the lyrics are different (football rivalry is truly everywhere!). Here are the lyrics for Marching on Together:

Here we go with Leeds United,
We’re gonna give the boys a hand,
Stand up and sing for Leeds United,
They are the greatest in the land,

<Chorus>
Everyday, we’re all gonna say,
We love you Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!
Everywhere, we’re gonna be there,
We love you Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!

Marching on together!
We’re gonna see you win,
We are so proud,
We shout it out loud,
We love you Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!

We’ve been through it all together,
And we’ve had our ups and downs,
We’re gonna stay with you forever,
At least until the world stops going round,

<Chorus>