Thanks for all the lovely messages - I’ve been ok, covering football - that’s what I love doing. 11 years ago, I found myself reporting on something so far removed from this it was beyond belief. Please, please, please don’t let yourself get to that dark place. Ask for help. ❤️
Sky’s coverage of this Liverpool v Brentford game is basically LFCTV - ex players as co-comm & studio guest, LFC associated presenter. Could they not have at least found an ex-Brentford player as a 2nd studio guest? The pretence of broadcaster’s neutrality a thing of the past?
20+ years with Sky comes to an end for me today. Worked with some brilliant people in that time, made lots of friends so it’s a sad day but it’s time for new adventures.
Diolch i bawb sy wedi helpu fi dros y flynyddoedd. Wele ti eto, dw i’n siwr.
Peace and love.
Bryn❤️
Paddy Kisnorbo handed me this in the tunnel after the Leeds v Millwall game, the week after Gary’s death. It’s travelled with me today. LUTV commentary dedicated to a great man, someone we all still miss, 10’years on. Thoughts with the Speed family today.
Blimey… that was a grueller! Great day for Dan James though whose wife gave birth this afternoon at 3pm - he then flew down to London by helicopter so he could play. Congratulations all round 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I was the guy doing the interview. Jesse seems like a really nice guy and he delivered an impressive interview, sincere and passionate, but very much aware of the incredible work done by his predecessor. I have to wish him all the best.
#lufc
Thanks for the nice words everybody, sorry for not replying,but I’ve driven across Wales to go and see my Mum for the first time in 4 months and we’ve got a lot of catching up to do! Lovely end to a great day...😄👏🏻👍🏻
It’s 30 years this weekend since I started my 1st season covering Leeds United. It all began with the Charity Shield at Wembley, what a day that was for a young lad from Wrexham! Here am I ready for season
#31
just as excited as I was then…❤️⚽️
Can we applaud
@Patrick_Bamford
for not going down under the keeper’s challenge last night. Important gesture for the integrity of the game that he stayed up and played on, when there was clearly an opportunity to make more of it and perhaps win a penalty. 👏🏻👏🏻
I am so, so sad. Thoughts with Sue and the family. He was one of the finest, loveliest, kindest people I’ve ever had the enormous good fortune to get to know. The years we worked together were just so much fun. I’ll miss you pal. 💔
Forget the Osama nonsense, a team of
@LUFC
staff have been hard at it in soaring temperatures for 2 days, installing 15000 ‘crowdies’. Good work people👏🏻
Can I just say, Leeds fans were incredible today. The noise at the final whistle made it sound like a win not a heavy defeat. That’s the way to support your team👏🏻👏🏻
One of the most revolutionary aspects of Leeds’ PL return has been the approach that completely rejects the notion of playing for a draw. Leeds have lost more games than all but 3 other sides and are 10th. It’s entertainment. It’s brilliant. Neutrals love Leeds. Dirty Leeds. 😂
Really sad for Gaetano Berardi, he seemed incredibly emotional to see Leeds promoted on Friday night. I stood behind him as he spent ages just looking out over the crowds outside ER... taking it all in. Great servant, I hope he gets back.
Thanks to everyone who’s watched or listened to the commentary service from
#lutv
this season. It’s been a massive privilege to help tell an incredible story about a fantastic football club. LUTV guys have been great to work with as well, proper team. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏆
What a day! What a day! Thanks to everyone for all your positive comments throughout the season, it means so much. Hopefully we’ll be back for more next season.. in the Premier League..😉
So I’m sitting here trying to work out if I’m okay to go to Wales and see my Mum for the first time since March next week, meanwhile the PM’s Dad jets off to his holiday home in Greece, sneaking in via Bulgaria.. ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?
Seriously, that was sensational tonight Leeds fans. What a noise. Entire stadium up and singing. Absolute privilege to be there to experience it. True 12th man performance. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I’m heading over the border today. Whenever I pass a ‘Croeso I Gymru’ sign, I always think of my Taid and Gary Speed. I touch my heart and point upwards. It’s habit now but added poignancy today, on this awful anniversary. Thinking of Roger, Carol and Lesley❤️
So now you can go and sit in a cinema to watch a match, or you can sit in a pub or club next to the ground to watch a match that’s going on in the ground, but you can’t sit outside, in a mask, socially distanced, to watch it? What is the scientific rationale?
I signed off from Sky Sports after covering Leeds v Millwall in March 2019. 5 years later, I was back on the gantry for another one. It’s been quite the freelance rollercoaster ride since but I’m still hanging on in there!
Exceptionally good game at ER, privilege to be there to witness it.
@LUFC
players dragged themselves off the ropes and came back slugging. Second half was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Breathless, non-stop attacking football from both sides. Rodrigo a joy to watch.
This was one of my favourite moments amidst the promotion celebrations. Whilst everyone else was jumping around and going mad, Gaetano Berardi just watching, taking it all in. I got the sense he was almost overwhelmed by what had been achieved. Characters like that, invaluable.
22 years ago I went to Istanbul to cover a Leeds United match, I ended up reporting on a double murder. Awful. Thoughts with the families as ever today.
#NeverForget
For many people, sporting events aren’t ‘leisure’, they’re work. I am booked to do 2 commentaries this weekend. If I don’t do them, I don’t get paid. Can we not use the national game, the people’s game, as an eminently suitable platform for a show of national mourning?
As a very young lad, I was occasionally allowed to stay up late to watch
@BBCMOTD
- a rare treat, it fired my enthusiasm for football and for commentating - finally made it on, nearly 50 years later. Not going to lie, I’ve watched this more than once. 😢
I’ve known Eddie almost all my working life, a wonderful man with a lovely family, a family tied tightly to Leeds United. To be there to describe this moment I consider a privilege, still aware that the triumph can’t erase the tragedy. Still they can be so proud of young Archie.
I’m guessing that for many Leeds fans that started watching in EFL, today’s the best day isn’t it? My youngest sent me a ‘Leeds Leeds Leeds’ text at full time. No interest shown previously. So that’s progress for a start!
I know I’m biased because I live here but the Premier League needs Leeds as much as Leeds needs the Premier League. Elland Road is one of this country’s last footballing cauldrons.
To all my followers, wherever you are, if you’re celebrating Christmas, have a great day. If you’re not, have a great day anyway! Nadolig Llawen pobl❤️🎄
It’s been an absolute privilege to watch a team coached by Marcelo Bielsa over the last 3 seasons. It’s been an incredible education - a lesson in how hard work, total application, togetherness and humility can bring sporting success and make better people. Gracias Sr Bielsa.
Our season ends. We’ve commentated on 121 goals in 40 matches and it’s been a joy from start to finish. Couldn’t ask for a better co-comm than
@tonydorigo
- thanks to all of you for sharing it with us. It’s been a heck of a journey!
Tough, tough year for so many people I know so I won’t dwell on it but lost loads of work, struggled financially, lots of sleepless nights. Football kept me going. To all the Leeds fans who said nice things, you don’t know how much that meant. To my mates, cheers. ❤️
#HNY
#BNDd
✊🏻
Hey Cymru, let’s just take a moment to reflect on the 7 greatest days in the country’s history. The nation’s football team earns a place at the biggest sporting event on the planet and a song in a ‘dead language’ goes
#1
in the UK charts. We are indeed Yma O Hyd. 🏴
Really pleased to announce that I’m back working on a permanent basis
@leedsbeckett
- I’ll be assisting with the sports marketing, management and journalism courses. Excited to be joining a great team, looking forward to the challenge!
I was chatting to an ex-pro pre-match, well in with people at West Ham. Since the cup match, they’ve been talking about the ‘chaos’ of playing Leeds. How plans go out the window and the opposition gets sucked into it, the ‘chaos’. Almost unseen to us as fans but that’s Bielsa. 👊🏻
I watched a thrilling game of football between Birmingham and Leeds today, the sort of encounter that makes football by a million miles the best team game. 9 goals scored and the fans celebrated every one knowing once the ref had blown, it was a goal. No question, no
#VAR
, go mad
@EFL
have confirmed broadcast plans for remaining Championship fixtures, confirmation of dates next week, but I’m very happy to say I’ve been asked if I’m available to do
@LUFC
games for
#LUTV
. As it stands, the diary suggests I might just be able to accommodate...😱😄🙌🏻
There are 211
@FIFAcom
members and
@Cymru
now ranks at 18th. That’s pretty incredible really, this nation of 3 million. It wouldn’t have happened without Gary Speed, he changed everything. I hope that legacy brings his family some comfort on this dark anniversary.
Very, very sad to hear of Peter Lorimer’s passing. I was lucky enough to get commentate on Leeds’ games with him, a brilliant analyst. I interviewed and worked with him many times, a lovely man as well as a legendary footballer. Thoughts with his family.
After the game at SB on Saturday, I was standing chatting by reception as crowds of home fans walked past. I heard my name shouted, followed by ‘you f@&%n Leeds c#*t!’. I spotted him, he was very angry. I gave him a smile. More abuse. Nice one! I must be doing something right..😂
In the next few days, the world will know Wales/Cymru as the country that has a bucket as part of its national costume. The guy on the left here
@spiritof58wales
is the person responsible. His vision, his investment. One of our own. Diolch Tim. Gwaith anhygoel🏴👊🏻
Really pleased for Tyler Roberts today. He’s stuck at it, covered his ears to the criticism and just got on with it. Been one of Leeds best performers in the last 3 games, with a 1st ever PL home goal as reward this afternoon. 👊🏻
Great news - El Gran Hombre has signed my team sheet from that famous day in Swansea. I’ve signed it as well, which may impact the value😄👇🏻
This will be auctioned off for charity. Watch this space for details.
Went on a bike ride this afternoon.. on my way back home from Wetherby saw a lone figure walking alongside the A58 towards Collingham - Adidas trainees, trackie bottoms, wait a minute... yes it is! The world’s greatest football coach, out for a stroll.! I love that.
The thing I love about watching Leeds is that as soon as Meslier catches a corner, or it’s headed clear to another Leeds player, the anticipation levels immediately shoot up. 10 seconds later the ball’s in the opposition box, with 3/4 white shirted arms all raised for a pass.
Strictly impartial. 😉
The LUTV commentary team experienced the ups and downs of Elland Road, all in the space of just a few minutes
#commentary
cam
#feature
First pint… £6! It’s okay, the Chairman’s paying. Would have been an even better night if Wrexham had done the job. Bigger prize to focus on now though. Safe journey home everyone..❤️
The match director at Watford yesterday is a massive Leeds fan. So, when Rapha sat in the reporter seat and put the cans on, he was chuffed to get the chance for a chat with one of his favourite players!
What’s happened
@Wrexham_AFC
is brilliant but I think the true vindication of
@VancityReynolds
and
@RMcElhenney
vision will be realised this afternoon when 1000’s turn out to support
@WrexhamAFCWomen
- that’s a community galvanised behind a club right there. Incredible.
My youngest attended her first ever Leeds game today, sorry it took so long! Thanks to everyone at the club who made her feel so welcome. We had a really great day.
Eldest daughter graduated from Durham Uni today, very proud of her, coped with all the challenges that covid threw up. Job done. One through the system, one more to go!
A 4am appointment for a vaccine would be absolutely fine by me. Why not do the tier groups during the day and then those who are keen to get on with it afterwards, 8pm - 6am maybe?
#CovidVaccines
Great day
@Wrexham_AFC
- got the chance to say thanks/Diolch for everything
@RMcElhenney
and
@VancityReynolds
have down for the club and he town. Oh and we smashed in 5 as well! 👊🏻
As much as I love going to the game,it does seem a bit ridiculous that Leeds, with high vaccination numbers, can have 10 players missing through injury or suspension and still be involved in the only PL fixture still taking place today.
I get the suggestion points deductions punish the innocent but lots of clubs have suffered it. Wrexham was the 1st club punished for going into admin, after owners terrible decisions. We got relegated as a result. Nobody considered the implications for fans and employees then.
Atmosphere at Elland Road just before and after the equaliser went in was as good as I’ve experienced in 45 years of going to the match. I suspect there may be some evidence that suggests I may have got a bit caught up in it in commentary…😱
Halfway through the season and 26 points accumulated, I’d say that’s pretty impressive stuff from Leeds. Even more so given constant defensive disruption. Some expensively assembled squads below Leeds currently. And a goal of the season comp that’s going to be a DVD box set.
Welcome to the football league as the away fans rightly chanted. Some good signs but we already know this season’s going to be much harder. Oh and here’s my new bestie. Lovely guy. We go again…