Leeds United and Leeds City Council reveal details of city centre Premier League promotion parade — YEP 29/4/25
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United and Leeds City Council have revealed details of
Monday May 5's Premier League promotion parade.
Last Monday's 6-0 win over Stoke City, coupled with
Burnley's win over Sheffield United, confirmed that Daniel Farke had
masterminded the club's return to the top flight at the second time of asking.
Leeds hope that by the time they board the open top bus next Monday they will
be celebrating a Championship league title. Having beaten Bristol City 4-0 in
their penultimate game of the season at Elland Road, Leeds travel to Plymouth
Argyle on Saturday knowing that a win will crown them champions.
The club plan to parade in the city regardless of how the
weekend's results pan out, due to the costs involved in preparing the city for
such an event. They have now confirmed that the parade will take place on
Monday, with the squad due to arrive in the city centre around 1pm to be
paraded in a mile-long loop for up to 90 minutes. There will be no single focal
point for the celebrations due to the expected turnout but Farke and his
players will address the crowds as they travel around the city centre.
A club statement said: "Leeds United fans will have the
chance to salute the club’s promotion-winning heroes during an open-top bus
parade, it can be confirmed today. Fresh from clinching a return to the Premier
League, Daniel Farke and the squad will be riding high once again, making their
way around a loop of Leeds city centre on Monday 5th May.
"Large crowds are expected to turn out to show their
appreciation for the Whites on a Bank Holiday afternoon that promises to live
long in the memory. The parade will follow a mile-long route that will take in
the full length of the Headrow, as well as City Square, Boar Lane, New Market
Street and parts of Wellington Street and Vicar Lane. The Whites are scheduled
to arrive in the city centre at around 1pm, with the parade set to last between
an hour and an hour-and-a-half.
"Due to the high number of fans expected to attend,
there will be no single focal point for the event. Instead, supporters are
being encouraged to line as much of the route as possible and give the team a
deserved welcome.
"Farke and the players will be ‘on the mic’ and
interacting with fans throughout the parade, meaning everyone – no matter where
they are along the route – will get the same special experience and enjoy what
is sure to be a city centre-wide carnival atmosphere. People who cannot make it
to the event will be able to follow proceedings via a live stream on LUTV. The
parade has been organised by the club in conjunction with Leeds City Council
and with support from agencies including West Yorkshire Police."
Supporters intending to join the celebrations have been
asked to plan their journeys carefully in advance, with a programme of road
closures and traffic restrictions due to be in place across much of the city
centre between 8am and 5pm on Monday. Emergency service access will be
maintained throughout.
Leeds United's chief operating officer Morrie Eisenberg has
thanked the local authorities for their work in facilitating a celebration that
the city and its club were denied by Covid-19 restrictions in 2020. He said:
“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate our promotion to the Premier League
with a parade across Leeds city centre.
“Sadly, due to restrictions when we were last promoted to
the top-flight in 2020, it wasn’t possible for a bus parade to take place, so
we’re now delighted to be able to celebrate this promotion properly with our
supporters.
“On behalf of the club I would like to thank everybody who
has helped pull the parade together behind the scenes and at local authority
level, I’m sure next Monday will be a great occasion for the whole city.”
Leader of the city council James Lewis expects fans to line
the entire route to celebrate their promotion heroes. He said: “I’m delighted
that we’ve been able to work with Leeds United to give players and fans the
chance to celebrate promotion together.
“As a season ticket holder at Elland Road, I know how much
this football club means to its supporters and indeed Leeds as a whole.
“The name of Leeds United is already known all around the
world, but being in the Premier League raises the profile of the club still
further and will also bring wider economic benefits to the city.
“I’m looking forward to seeing fans out enjoying themselves,
it should be a wonderful spectacle. By lining the entirety of the route,
they’ll be able to secure a great view of the parade and help create a party
atmosphere right across the city centre.”
Lord Mayor of Leeds councillor Abigail Marshall Katung added
her congratulations to Leeds United. She said: “Winning promotion is a
marvellous achievement by Daniel Farke and his players, they really have done
the whole of Leeds proud over the course of the season.
“Leeds United’s ups and downs are woven into the fabric of
life here and, as the city’s Lord Mayor, it’s my absolute pleasure to see them
back where they belong.
“I know the club’s fans have been in party mood since
promotion was secured and I’m sure they will relish the opportunity to continue
their celebrations at next week’s parade.”