Leeds Rhinos v St Helens: Legends of Leeds bid farewell to South Stand

The fact they all first played for the Blue and Amber before 1952, however, hints at just how many special players in total have featured in front of the iconic terrace which will be demolished after tonight’s game against St Helens to make way for a new state-of-the art stand in 2019.

The likes of Kevin Sinfield, Garry Schofield, John Holmes and Mick Shoebottom would all later become darlings of that vociferous part of the Headingley crowd which – since the stand’s opening in 1931 – so often proved like an extra man for the West Yorkshire club.

An emotional send-off is planned for this evening and a handful of Leeds players who face Saints actually recall standing on the terrace themselves as kids.

Second-row Jamie Jones-Buchanan is one such individual and he said: “My first experience at Leeds was in the South Stand.

“I never thought about being a professional player or playing for Leeds. I just came to watch the best team in my local area.

“The South Stand has been an amazing place and so many different things to so many different people over so many years. There’s been so many epic games and not just for Leeds, but internationals as well. I remember coming here and watching the Australians play in front of about 23,000 people.

“I was very much part of that South Stand and loved every minute of it. It will be a shame to see it pulled down, but how good is it that we can stay at the same ground, preserve our history and heritage and grow and evolve into a bigger, better club?”

Leeds, though, need to preserve their top-two status if they are to secure a home semi-final next week and that means bouncing back from last week’s dismal 38-6 loss at Wakefield.

Jones-Buchanan, 35, admitted: “Some of the tries we conceded were calamitous. We need to get some consistency. Saints are going to keep getting better, but I think it’s added motivation that we go out and do this event justice – and hopefully make it a successful one.”