Leeds ‘RADICAL’ fans show me hostility at Elland Rd Pub

A few days before my visit to Leeds I was researching pub opportunities to watch the Leeds V Newcastle game, as myself and Helen couldn't get a ticket. I contacted The Old Peacock and was informed that away supporters weren't welcome due to a 'radical' section of Leeds fans ( I was informed). I took that to be a euphemism for 'hooligan element', or 'confrontational pillocks', basically. It was then that I had the idea for this video...

I already have a propensity to mix with away fans in a lot of my videos, as I enjoy the banter, but also to test my social skills in disarming potentially aggressive fans. For this reason I planned to visit the pub to see for myself it it was friendly or not, but also because I was already going to be mixing with Leeds fans around the ground.

In my experience in doing this sort of thing, but also hearing anecdotal accounts of the behaviour of some Leeds fans, they carry an unfortunate reputation of being confrontational and unfriendly. An unfortunate tag that doesn't reflect well on the wider society of Leeds. This is in contrast to the Newcastle City centre environment on match days where away fans can mingle in any stadium pub in safety and enjoy some great football craic. Of course Newcastle too has a minor element of idiots, but they don't generally frequent bars on match day and cause problems.

Around 11:00am myself and Helen walked up to the pub veranda as it was busy with Leeds fans. I started engaging with one male, but a male a few feet away became immediately confrontational and verbally aggressive, telling me to 'Fuck off!', 'Go on, fuck off!', more than once. He also made several abusive references to murder and our Saudi owners. The irony of this didn’t escape me as Leeds had a pre season tour of Myanmar which too is accused of awful human rights abuses.

At this point we weren't filming. When he escalated his foul and abusive tirade and then joined by a couple of others a doorman approached us and suggested we move away as it was agitating the Leeds fans.

Helen and I walked off and from then, every time we walked past on the main pavement, or chatted to a fan, the whole pub shouted abuse and then chanted songs towards me. Some of it was of course jovial banter but from other fans there was a tone of aggression and foul mouthed abuse about our club owners. After a while and at NO request from myself, two police officers went over to have a word about their behaviour.

Of course I am not offended, or shocked by this behaviour. I have lived a life submerged in violence in a previous career for many years, but I was however interested in social behaviour and the reputation of Leeds FC to have a larger minority than most clubs for an unfriendly element. I wasn't disappointed.

This is in stark contrast to the vast majority of Leeds fans who are decent human beings and I chatted to many, who were absolutely spot on.

This video attempts to encapsulate the polar differences in Leeds fans who carry an unfortunate reputation around the country. My view of these types of fans (including my own) are that of cowardly, beer swilling, pot bellied men, who hunt in packs and strike fear in ordinary folk. They approach violence by throwing chairs, bottles and other missiles at each other, or attack in numbers if they are superior in number. They are the opposite of strong and courageous.

Thank you for reading and watching the video.

[TynesideLife]

See video description for full explanation and context.

[mikestraveldiary]

Having bumped into you a year or so ago in South Shields your a sound bloke. As a Leeds fan I hope you guys make the champions league. I'm sorry for some our fans today who were a bit bitter. I was disgusted by our fan squaring up to eddie too. Your always welcome to Leeds anytime. Goodluck for the rest of the season. Hope to play you guys in the future. It maybe a few years. Best wishes Boss 🙏

[theerondevie]

I'm a leeds fan n most of us will welcome newcastle. I hope you qualify for champions league. Dying for us to stay up - the more northern clubs the better👍 good luck boys

[briansimpson]

Shame some fans let their side down. A few years ago i was down at Newcastle with my son who is a wheelchair user and being in the winter i was struggling to push him through the snow. A few Newcastle fans grabbed bits of the wheelchair and helped drag him up to the cathedral on the hill. When they left us he said he was a Chelsea fan and what they said was hope you enjoy the game, couldn!t praise them high enough. Haway the lads.

[beatlegreg]

Having a pub full of Leeds fans telling you to stick it is surely a badge of honour.

[babyshambler]

Leeds here. Been going since '93. Never seen Newcastle in a negative way tbh. Your support at Leeds was always very good. Nice and loud. We are a very insular support group. No angels of course, but conditioned over 50+ years by a southern-biased press into pushing back against their nonsense - starting with Leeds/Chelsea rivalry of the '70s. ANYWAY. I look forward to a fresh face in the Champions League. You lucky Geordie bastards ;)

[YIFYPIRATE]

Leeds fan here not all leeds fans are like that buddy, you are welcome to Leeds anytime.

[airaction]

I'm a Leeds fan mate you are always welcome in Leeds, there is always a few idiots who want to cause trouble, hope you make the champions league.

[apathyintheuk]

I remember going to Elland road in the early '90's to watch Coventry.
Me and a couple of mates (none of us wearing colours) decided to have a couple of pre match pints in the Peacock.
Just before we walked in my two companions bought a Leeds pin badge each from a badge seller on the forecourt and pinned them to their jackets.
'What are you doing'? I said. 'Cheapest insurance policy we'll buy today', was the reply!

[benitolazio]

The fact Allardyce is allowed to manage after the England scandal says all there is to say about the Premier League.

[paulkersey]

Oh yes, I remember the warm geordie welcome received in ALL their pubs back in the day. I still have a lump on my head as a parting gift. They were no angels, believe you me.

[LeedsJimbo]

A little mild banter from The Peacock 🤣

Good video. Fair assessment.

[stephenbettley]

Great Vlog yet again, lovely interaction with the fans, hope Newcastle make it to the champions league, all the best from a Leeds fan.

[dodgeprojects]

I'm a leeds fan, I've always really liked Newcastle top club, the one club cities are different gravy

[ZharkovA]

I taught my son that we can have a favourite team, others we like but we don’t hate any of them. Then he stopped me and replied “…except Dirty Leeds Daddy.” They’re a big side who deserve to be in the Premier League but some of their supporters are just horrible.

[andybrown]

Another great video eddy, keep them coming. Pity about the result . But we keep fighting on.

[PeteK-df]

Was great to meet you Eddie - good luck in Europe and let’s hope we meet again next season 🤞

[aliencactus]

When Wes Hoolahan played his last game after a decade at Norwich, unfortunately, it was against Leeds at Carrow Road and instead of like how most normal away fans do, which is join in the appreciation of long term players, a rarity, - rather than just join in with Leeds players applause, they chanted: "Who they effing hell are you" - who on earth does that kind of knuckledragging stuff now ? Even Millwall fans will show some admiration for a player like Hoolahan -fortunately, Hoolahan scored against Leeds.

[gailhorner]

Us leeds fans are not like them ignorant people, Most of us are friendly. Good luck for champions league.

[THEPete_]

They're filled with alcohol, that's why