I Predict a Riot

Largely as a result of Roam's passion, I've become a massive fan of Leeds United. I care. I get excited when they score, leap out of the chair when, as has often happened this season, they secure a very late winner. I slump in despair when, as has also often happened, Illan Meslier has made a howler at the worst moment. But I'm not so emotionally invested that it impacts my life. In any way. A couple of minutes later and I've moved on. I'm not a true fan, not part of the tribe. I would have to be paid good money to wear a Leeds shirt out in public. So I definitely felt like a kind of outsider on the inside in the centre of Leeds today. I felt more like an anthropologist, studying tribal customs and behaviour, recording it with my camera. I took over 300 pictures. 

The train from Ilkley was already rammed by the time we got to Guiseley, where Roam said the platform was bursting. I had to work hard to save him a seat. I'd bet that service has never ever carried so many people into Leeds before. The media quoted figures of 150,000 supporters turning out to watch the team bus do a tour of the city centre. I've no idea how they make that estimate, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was more. It felt like it. I saw a few overwhelmed shoppers looking like they'd wandered into a war zone. The police presence was minimal as far as I could see and they adopted a pretty relaxed approach, not concerned that people were hanging off every lamppost and traffic sign, draped over the statues, even dancing on top of bus shelters. There were so many flares set off that I never got to see the bus when it passed through City Square. The blue and yellow smoke obscured pretty much everything.

Winning promotion is huge for the city. Roam reminded me that when they won the Championship five years ago there was no chance to celebrate because of Covid. The supporters made up for that today. All the anthems were sung. Thousands of children were treated to an experience they will never forget. It was amazing.