Leeds United cult hero reveals plans for UK return to join Whites fans in the away end — YEP 24/2/24

-

Whites cult hero Gaetano Berardi has revealed his desire to experience the Leeds United away day atmosphere once again.

By Graham Smyth

Berardi made a name for himself with supporters thanks to a taste for the physical side of the game and an unflinching commitment to win the ball. He spent seven years with Leeds, making 157 appearances, and was called upon 22 times by Marcelo Bielsa during the Championship title win of 2020. A serious knee injury disrupted the final stages of his time at Elland Road, but he did play twice in the Premier League before an emotional departure in the summer of 2021.

Berardi, who has since retired from playing and taken his first steps towards a coaching career, now writes a column for The Square Ball fanzine. His latest effort, on sale now, recognises the sacrifice Leeds fans make to follow their team on the road, which is particularly appropriate this week at the end of a mammoth travel schedule.

The Whites faced Bristol City away on a Friday night, Plymouth Argyle away on a Tuesday, Swansea City away on a Tuesday and Plymouth once more, away, on the following Saturday - at 12.30pm no less. Making the journey to all four was a Hurculean effort and yet some can boast that they were there to see Leeds go unbeaten through that stretch.

"The Championship is a tough and long league," said Berardi. "It’s not easy to manage so many, many games, for the fans too. Travelling for miles on the weekends and in the middle of the week, it’s a big effort. It’s impressive how Leeds fans sell out everywhere. I really loved to play away from home with so many supporters, that’s why an away win has a very big value."

Berardi is in the process of trying to join the away support and hopes to be among their number soon. "I’m trying to organise a trip to watch a Leeds away game," he said. "It’s difficult to find the right day to fly with my plans, but I’m trying for sure. Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks."

The Swiss defender's name continues to ring out whenever Leeds fans are gathered, at home, away or en route to games, which means a lot to him. He said: "It’s nice to know that people are still singing my name at Elland Road. Sometimes I get sent videos taken during the matches or at half-time where fans are singing my chant. It’s great." Berardi was watching on from afar as Leeds ran out 3-1 winners over Championship-leading Leicester City in a madcap game at Elland Road on Friday night. His song was among the very first heard from the South Stand.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o
Read more