I made the trip on my own this time and arrived in Leeds on Saturday afternoon. The Pompey game had been moved to Sunday morning so it was an early start off to the game in the hopes that we could pick up those vitally needed three points. We didn’t and we all know the rest.

After a couple of beers in the town center watching the other Premierships games on Sky I went back to the hotel to get ready for the dinner. The event was held in the Banqueting Suite and after a Champagne reception the evening kicked off with Bryn Law introducing the players in attendance, both past and present including virtually the entire first team squad. Dinner was then served and the video countdown started of the top 100 Leeds goals. Unsurprisingly the mood early in the evening was somewhat down beat due to the days earlier result, however as we watched the goals going in, one after another, the atmosphere picked up.

I was seated at an interesting table of other guests, one being David Saffer, a “Leeds United Encyclopedia” who has written books including “Cup Kings” and the biographies of Alan Clarke, Mick Jones and Paul Madeley. He proved most entertaining and full of stories from over the years.

As the evening moved on, those in attendance who had scored the goals voted in the top 100 were called to the stage to receive recognition. These included Norman Hunter, Paul Reaney, Mark Viduka, Duncan McKenzie, Dominic Matteo, David Wetherall and Mick Jones. Then it was down to the top 20 with Johnny Giles, Alan Clarke, Tony Currie, Alan Smith, Paul Robinson(!), Peter Lorimer, Eddie Gray and Elsie Revie on behalf of Billy Bremner all speaking to us as they accepted their awards.

A special guest had been flown in from Ghana for the event, Mr. Tony Yeboah. He of course was scorer of the goal that was voted Leeds Greatest Goal ever scored. The scorcher against Liverpool at Elland Road on 21st August 1995. His attendance was the highlight of the evening.

After the awards had been given, we had the chance to meet and chat with the players in attendance. Unfortunately, much like the defense this year, the majority of the first team had disappeared at the earliest possible opportunity thus denying the fans chance to meet them. Only Smudger, Robbo and Dom stayed until the end and happily signed autographs and posed for pictures and their efforts were appreciated. The Revie lads in attendance again were on top form and all remained to socialize with everyone. I made a special point to have a chat with Tony Currie on behalf of our Branch Secretary, Mike, who no doubt had he been in attendance would have demanded a recount of the votes as Tony’s goal versus Southampton in 1978 only made number 18 in the poll.

As the evening wound down and we headed out into the night we had enjoyed some magnificent memories of better times and had forgotten about the current predicament for a few hours. A fine event and I look forward to the next one.