Leeds United hero puts £1,000 behind pub's bar — BBC 4/1/25

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Punters at a football pub "went mental" after former Leeds United captain Liam Cooper treated them to free beers.

The 33-year-old, who recently left the club after a 10- year spell, was invited back to Elland Road as a special guest for the match against Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Day.

The Old Peacock is opposite the ground and is a traditional gathering place for fans on match days.

Cooper, who now plays in the Bulgarian First League for CSKA Sofia, popped into the pub and put £1,000 behind the bar.

His visit was unannounced and he was "completely unknown" until drinkers started to ask for photos and a barmaid recognised him.

Staff member Billy said: "Dawn was behind the bar and she told us she had thought it was Liam Cooper and asked him to come behind the bar for a picture.

"He offered us £1,000 to pay for fans' drinks, so we handed out cans of lager to everyone.

"They absolutely loved it, they went mental. He still has got a home here, it's like he never left."

Another former Whites star, Luke Ayling, has also visited the pub on a previous occasion and put £500 behind the bar.

"I fanboy out whenever players pop in," Billy added.

The Old Peacock was built in 1963, replacing a much older pub that had served supporters since the founding of Leeds United in 1919. It is now owned by Ossett Brewery.

Its name was changed to The Luke Ale Inn after Ayling announced he would pop in to "say goodbye" to fans in January last year, when he moved to Middlesbrough.

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