Product Description

Leeds United Football Club have one of the worst reputations in the country. The most recent example being the Bowyer-Woodgate trial. In this title Palmer tries to work out just why he claps; why, when he has to miss a home game for work, he feels so bad; and why, whatever day of the week Leeds are playing, he gets a sickly feeling in his stomach until he's in one of the bars near the station calming his nerves. Set in the 2001-02 Premiership season, the author follows David O'Leary's young Leeds United team at stadiums home and away; in bars watching satellite; listening to Radio Leeds and watching the pages of Ceefax. He also focuses as much on the fans as on the action on the pitch and tries to establish if Leeds fans are really so bad. The book examines the highs and lows of the club's recent history - from the Paris riots in 1975 to relegation in 1982 and the glory of the 1992 League win. Palmer discusses the Bowyer-Woodgate trial, the board's plans to take Leeds United away from Elland Road and the club's persistent hooliganism problems, especially their unceasing hatred of Manchester United.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69342 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

About the Author
Tom Palmer is a literature development officer and a lifelong Leeds fan. He is the author of The Bradford Wool Exchange and runs a twice yearly literature festival.

Customer Reviews

If You're Proud to Have Read This Superb Book - like me
Sure, it helps to be a football fan to read this book but it isn't essential. Ever wondered why this sport makes frenzied, irrational anoraks of normally plain and uncomplicated people? Well, Palmer's book goes some way in to explaining it.

Drawing parallels with his beloved football team and BIG events in his life, you simply can not be failed to be moved; there are many emotionally charged moments here and the passage regarding the Munich air disaster in 1958 is extremely evocative and harrowing; it should be read by everyone.

This is a class book - one criticism is the title, as If You're Proud to be a Leeds Fan is not, repeat not, just a book about following Leeds United or football, it is much much more.

Buy it now and help this gifted author make a living in writing, where he belongs!

An Honest Account for the Common Fan
The review below is somewhat harsh. This is an honest account by a fan who writes of over 800 games attended in 25 years. I found his commitment to his ill wife over his football club moving rather than irritating. If you don't have a 100% record since 1919 and you have more to your life than football, I'd recommend it.

It's been emotional
This is more than just a book about football and the following of. There are plenty of great football references true, but overall Palmer's book is about his own personal and very moving journeys, not just his travels following the most fascinating football team around.

If you're looking for the usual footie violence and our gang's harder than yours fodder, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking for a very peronal, insightful, emotive and entertaining book, you will not be disappointed. This book is from a fan expressing themselves in a highly touching way and how anyone can accuse it of being shallow is beyonf me, they must have been reading it upside down or with their blinkers on.