June Interview-John McClelland
1] How long have you worked at Leeds United since you retired?
I have worked for Leeds for about 10 years now.
2] Do you enjoy going round the country doing ‘Leeds On The Roads’?
Yes, I enjoy meeting the fans, as they remind you of both the good and bad times, but they remind you that being loyal is important.
3] Out of the ‘hundreds’ of goals you scored, which do you think is the best?
I did not score many goals, defending was very important to me as I realised if we kept a clean sheet my team would only have to score one to win. Leeds suffered, by forgetting this in the past few years. But I did score for Glasgow Rangers a few times, one against Alan Ruff, the Scottish goalkeeper was one of my best while he played for Hibs.
4] Did you ever score in the all-white kit of Leeds?
No
5] If you wern’t a decent footballer, what would you have been?
Just happy working in my mum’s shop, and playing football for fun.
6] Who is the best player you have played with?
There really are too many when you are an International footballer, but Gordon Strachan was important at a very special time for Leeds.
7] Which team gave you your big break in football?
No Team did that, I had to perform on the pitch to be noticed.
8] Are there any players that you wish you could have played with?
No – I have played with and against the best players in the world. Playing against them, gives you the biggest challenge, not playing with them.
9] Who is the best manager you’ve played under?
Graham Taylor at Watford – did well with no money available, and Billy Bingham – did the same with a small Northern Ireland squad.
10] What would your dream team?
That’s something I never think about, because you never know how the players would get on, even if they are the best. Different players at different years, I have been blessed to play with and against the best in the world during my time.
My thanks go to Lorna once again, and I also thank John McClelland for doing the interview.
Coming Up Next… To Be Revealed Before Friday 3rd July!
May Interview-Lucas Kop Cat
This months interview is with our magnificent mascot, the supreme snow leapord Lucas Kop Cat.
Q) Do you have a special pre-match diet?
A) Blueberries & Custard.
Q) Do you think you are good enough to rival Robert Snodgrass in the penalty taking pecking order?
A) Not sure, I’m grrreat at hitting the crossbar, not tried penalties as Casper is in the dressing room at half time and you need a goalie to take them against.
Q) Do you ever get any trouble from opposing players?
A) No.
Q) Do you remember your debut as mascot?
A) Yes I do, Sunday August 7th against Millwall, strange old day, up early and no away fans, but it was a grrrreat day and the team won 2-1.
Q) Where did you learn your pre-match dance moves from?
A) Self taught
Q) Which Leeds player do you think is fit to wear your boots?
A) None, they fit their own boots fine, and I would not like to run out with just paws.
Q) Do you have your own dressing room or do you have to share with the 1st team?
A) I have a den in the West Stand
Q) Have you ever had any trouble with people trying to take your head off?
A) No, I did lose my head when Andrew Hughes rugby tackled into the kop net a while ago-not a grrrreat moment for me!
Q) Have you ever had any funny memories that you can share with us?
A) Not Really
Q) What do you think our prospects of promotion are?
A) Grrrreat!
Q) And finally, how do you feel about being the ‘king of the crossbar challenge’
A) Leeds & Proud
Thank you to Lucas Kop Cat for doing the interview and to Lorna Tinker for passing on the questions
April Interview-Gary Edwards
This months interview is with superfan Gary Edwards, who made us cry with laughter with his books ‘Paint It White’ and ‘The Second Coat,’ which are soon to be joined by ‘No Glossing It Over.’
Q) Do you think we will win promotion?
A) Hope so. Its looking like play-offs, and we’ve got to win one of them eventually.
Q) What do you think will happen if we don’t?
A) Good question. Its vital we go up this time, because I fear some players may leave i.e. Delph, Beckford maybe even Becchio, they’re all attracting attention elsewhere, but I believe they’ll stay if we go up. When some Leeds fans were saying it would be better to sell Delph in January and get ‘some’ money, I disagreed, always at the back of my mind was Delph playing at Wembley for us, maybe it could happen.
Q) Who do you think is the greatest player to ever grace the Elland Road turf?
A) Billy Bremner
Q) Who do you feel was not fit to wear the shirt?
A) Carlton Palmer
Q) What are your thoughts on the plans for the East Stand?
A) Mixed really. I don’t think it will happen. This sort of thing has been promised before. In 1985 there were big plans laid down for massive refurbishment to Elland Road, including a theme park being built on the site of the old greyhound stadium on Elland Road. We ended up selling Elland Road for just £2.5m. (yes, two and a half million pounds!). With regards to the present plans, its Ken Bates idea and these plans aren’t expected to be put in place for at least 5 years. I dont think Bates will be here then. who knows? There may be provisions for a statue of Bates to be included in any future development just in case he’s not here.
Q) Who do you think is the best player in the current squad?
A) Delph has the best ability by far, but much of the squad have been good this season.
Q) Why has Wales upset you so much that you feel the need to move it to France?
A) Wales hasn’t upset me, I just don’t particularly like them. Apart from Welsh Leeds fans of course, they are 100% ok. I would never go on holiday to Wales, I only go on business i.e. to watch Leeds. To be honest it’s all tongue in cheek really. I would never go on holiday to France either except on ‘business’ or when I go to attend the annual get-together in Paris in July to celebrate the anniversary of Jim Morrison of the Doors. I will not drink French wine or French beer and I wont use French words, I call a cul-de-sac a dead end. Also when I have to go to France, I take my own bread. I am currently brushing up on my French, so I know what the locals are saying about us English.
Q) Have you seen the Damned United, if so what are your thoughts?
A) I saw the Damned Utd, and I’ve said before that its very anti-Leeds. The acting is superb however from the four main characters. Cloughs family complained, but I think the ones who should be complaining are Don Revie’s family. That said, it’s typical of their dignity that they have remained silent. It has to be remembered that the film (and book) are made up and not true events, but many fans of other clubs and indeed non-footballing public will take them as fact.
Q) I think Simon Grayson is a good gaffer, what is your opinion on him?
A) I’ve met Simon before, just briefly. It was at a Kippax Supporters club function in the 80′s. I think I’ll be seeing more of Simon in the future now he’s moving back to the area. He married a girl from the estate where I grew up in Kippax and my mate cuts his dads hair!
Q) And finally, who is your player of the season?
A) My player of the season is Robert Snodgrass, without a doubt. He’s just got on with his job and half the time you don’t appreciate the work he gets through. I believe it was a great find by Gary McAllister.
My thanks go to Gary Edwards who agreed to take part in the interview, he gave us a very amusing interview and I am very grateful, as I had a bad time trying to find someone to do the interview.
Coming up next month… Lucas The Kop Kat
March Interview-Casper Ankergren
This months interview is with the man between the sticks Casper Ankergren.
Q) How does it feel when you walk out in front of the Leeds fans?
A) Its always a special feeling and I enjoy it every time. To walk and playin front of a full Elland Road is something you can not describe, its a footballer’s dream.
Q) Who is the funniest lad in the squad?
A) Everybody at the club has got a very good sense of humour. Prutts, Dave, Lucas and Snods are amongst the funniest. You have to be prepared for everything when you are around them.
Q) Who was your footballing role model as a child?
A) That’s an easy one, that was to be Peter Schmeichel. He is Danish and was playing for Brøndby, which was team that I followed when I was younger.
Q) What is your favourite footballing memory?
A) I got a few. To begin with it takes us back to 1992 when Denmark won the euros. I’ve won 2 cup finales with Brøndby and 2 championships. Here in England its was my the finale at Wembley even though we lost.
Q) How did you feel on your Leeds debut?
A) A debut is always something special. I was a bit nervous and we where playing Crystal Palace at home. We won 2-1 and we really needed the 3 points at that time.
Q) How did you feel when you broke the Danish League record for clean sheets?
A) That season when we broke it, we won the double, to be fair I didn’t think a lot about it at that time, but its nice to look back knowing that you achieved something special.
My thanks go to Stix Lockwood for conducting the interview and to Casper Ankergren for doing the interview.
February Interview-Aidan White
This months interview is with the young and talented left-back Aidan White.
Q) Do you enjoy playing for Leeds?
A) Yeah of course, its a great honour to play for such a big club that i’ve supported all my life.
Q) Who was your footballing role model when you were a child?
A) Well when I used to watch Leeds, I always liked Harry Kewell, he had a great left foot and could take on players with ease, he was a very creative type of player, now I like Lionel Messi and Patrice Evra.
Q) Who has the worst dress sense in the dressing room?
A) That’s a tough one, but Prutts has some very weird gear, sometimes its good and sometimes not the best.
Q) What is your favourite movie?
A) It’s defiantly got to be Gladiator.
Q) Who is the prankster of the team?
A) i wouldn’t say there is anyone in particular, but Brad Johnson, Fab, Robbo and Snods are a few.
Q) What is the best match you’ve ever played in?
A) Probably my debut against Crystal Palace for obvious reasons.
Q) Who is the most skillful player in the team?
A) probably Fab or Beckford.
Q) And finally, what is your favourite tv show?
A) At the moment, it has to be Skins on channel 4, i find it funny but a bit rude sometimes.
My thanks go to Aidan who agreed to kick off our players interview and I hope you are looking forward to the next one in March.
