LEEDS FANS REMEMBRANCE MATCH
By East Leeds Magazine Editorial Staff, March 2010

Sunday 7th March saw the Leeds Fans Remembrance All Stars take on Simon Grayson's All Star Xl at Garforth Town football club in aid of the Leeds Fans Remembrance & Candlelighters' Children's Charity. The Simon Grayson team included Grayson himself, his coach Glyn Snodin, Yorkshire cricketer Martyn Moxon, Sky TV's Bryn Law, various Kaiser Chiefs plus, most importantly, ex-players, John Sheridan, Andy Ritchie, Tommy Wright, Bobby Davison & Brendan Ormsby. Kick off was delayed a while, due to the higher than expected turnout and queue at the bars, it wasn't raining & the sun shone giving the lads probably the warmest day of the year so far.

1st Half

The Fans team for the first half fielded East Leeds lads Andy Loftus, Mark McNamara, Sean Mc.Grath & Keith Brown. Brownie had a knee injury scare before the game but there was no way he wasn't going to play: "Up against Sheridan, Tommy Wright & Andy Ritchie? I don't care if I never walk again."

As they took to the pitch, a few unkind spectators made references to his uncanny resemblance to Susan Boyle but he didn't let it affect his game, if he was carrying an injury, it wasn't obvious as he gave a man of the match performance including a 'penalty save' from Tommy Wright: "I just got me fingers to it and 'tibbed' it onto the bar." No-one else saw him 'tibb' it but.. well if it makes him happy... He seemed less happy to talk about the opening goal, where he was beaten by Bobby Davison lying on the ground 'tibbing' it over the line with his head.

Despite all that Brownie was so happy with his performance, he even ‘treated’ us all to a ten minute cameo in midfield towards the end. Speaking to him afterwards he would have been happy to turn back the clock, "A performance like that 20 years ago, with the Leeds manager watching..." he gushed.."who knows where it might have led." As Brownie is closer to 50 than 18, even 20 years ago it would have led nowhere but we are all allowed our dreams.

The first half finished with Graysons Xl two up.

2nd Half

Second half was all change as the Remembrance team made way for lads who made donations to charity to play. One of these was Carpet Traders Mark Gaines. Mark was goalie at Knaresbrough Town for a short while, so it was fair to say the Fans team was in safe hands.

Or then again, maybe not: "I broke my leg playing for Knaresbrough about 20 years back and never really played since. I got roped into this because they were struggling for a keeper & it was a bit touch and go if Brownie could do 90 minutes, I'm not sure if he had bad knees or singing lessons, anyway, we agreed to do a half each. I'm so out of practise I'd have been happy to just play 10 minutes."

A few unkind comments suggested he only want to play ten minutes so he could spend the remaining eighty flogging rugs to the spectators: "I was a bit worried I might let the team down but everyone took the game light heartedly, someone gave a rousing team talk in the dressing room beforehand, I'm not sure who it was, I couldn't see 'cos of all the cigarette smoke. I was nervous watching the first half, it was just typical the bloke I was replacing had the game of his life."

Mark had nothing to worry about making some great saves and wasn't at fault for any conceded. Even if he had been, no-one would have cared. It finished 5-2. The van full of rugs never saw the light of day.

In the dark days of the 1980's, Sheridan was a cult hero at Leeds, often seen in Leeds town centre after games, the fans viewed him as one of their own, his passing & free kick ability some of the shining lights in an other wise dark era. Who could forget the free kick against Derby, the two goals against Portsmouth when he turned towards the Kop to check the time. It was great watching Shez boss a Leeds midfield again, lobbing through balls to Tommy Wright who in turn laid on Andy Ritchie, who could have had a double hat-trick.

All in all a great afternoon out, a few dreams realised for a few blokes in their forties, £5,500 raised for the charity and Simon Grayson bagged himself a nice new rug for the living room.

On the 3rd April 2010 Leeds Fans Remembrance will be holding a final gala evening at the Elland Road Banquet suite for 550 people. The cost for this will be £50 per person and will include a 3 course meal , comedian , disco and other entertainment. For this and other events look on www.leedsfanremembrance.com

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