Rivalries renewed as Leeds show big boys what they are missing

Six years on from their painful relegation from the Premier League, Leeds United fans are enjoying their moment in the spotlight and the chance to renew old top-flight rivalries. Richard Sutcliffe reports.

AS Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League in 2004, it is fair to say few tears were shed among their soon-to-be former peers.

This, let's not forget, is a club that the rest of English football has always loved to hate ever since Don Revie's side came kicking and snarling out of the Second Division back in the mid-Sixties.

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The years since the birth of the 'Dirty Leeds' tag had done little to improve United's reputation. The hooligan element that latched on to the club as on-field fortunes dipped post-Revie ensuring they had few friends outside their own city.

Six seasons since last dropping out of the top flight, however, and it seems absence has made the heart grow fonder. Leeds may still be damned in the eyes of the nation for past crimes but, as even Sir Alex Ferguson admitted ahead of the FA Cup third round tie that saw Manchester United host their bitter rivals, the Premier League seems to be missing Leeds.

A host of clubs have come and gone as towns such as Reading and Watford enjoyed their day in the sun but, as fans of the top clubs have discovered, nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of hosting Leeds United.

The visit of United and their followers is an event and, adopting football parlance here, with all due respect to the Wigan Athletics of this world, one that a league visit from the Latics and their ilk cannot compete with.

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Leeds have history with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur so it is not a surprise that, as has been proved already this season, their fans should enjoy renewing old rivalries.

In north London on Saturday, the latest reunion was less a case of friends reunited as foes but there was no denying the air of anticipation as fans made their way through the streets.

On the overground train to White Hart Lane station, the chatter among the locals was of how many fans Leeds were bringing and where they were drinking.

There was an edge in the air, the sort that creates the kind of highly-charged atmosphere that has characterised meetings between these clubs down the years.

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Once inside, both sets of fans traded songs and insults in equal measure to prove that an all-seater Premier League ground need not necessarily be a sterile and staid place.

'Na na na na na na na na na na na, Leeds are going up, going up, Leeds are going up,' boomed the 4,200 travelling fans to the tune of 'Give It Up' by KC & The Sunshine Band as home voices hit back with Chas & Dave's 'Spurs are on their way to Wembley'.

The noise was relentless, especially from the away seats where Robbie Keane was greeted with a rendition of 'you're Leeds and you know you are' as he warmed up on the touchline.

Keane, clearly touched by such a warm reception more than seven years on from his departure, returned the applause before retaking his place on the bench where he continued to enjoy plenty of banter with fourth official Phil Dowd. At one stage, Dowd even handed the Republic of Ireland international the microphone that he used to keep in touch with referee Alan Wiley.

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Keane, who had been complaining about a decision that had gone against Spurs, duly shouted down the mouthpiece before returning it with a smile to Dowd.

By the fifth minute of stoppage time, however, smiles were in short supply among the locals as Leeds earned a replay with a dramatic late penalty from Jermaine Beckford that caused pandemonium in the away seats. It was a similar story outside a short while later as Spurs hooligans attempted to ambush the United fans.

The police immediately shut the gates to quell the trouble, though not before punches had been exchanged, and it was 20 or so minutes later before the area outside had been cleared to allow the visiting supporters to make their way home.

It was an unsavoury end, though not one that could take the shine off a memorable day that saw two old foes enjoy the renewal of an enduring rivalry.