Almost 40 years with no semi-final look in essentially the most prestigious of home cups is a footballing barren land. More so when the membership which have trudged throughout it for nigh on 4 many years had been chargeable for an iconic second within the cup’s 1972 centenary version.
Since Billy Bremner lifted the FA Cup, headlines round Leeds‘ affiliation with the competitors have been largely corrosive for the membership’s status.
The tone was set within the 1973 final, when second division Sunderland shocked Don Revie’s facet beneath Wembley’s Twin Towers.
There have, in fact, been optimistic instances – the run to the 1987 semi-finals and, memorably, Simon Grayson’s third-tier outfit beating Manchester United in their own backyard in 2010.
Otherwise it has been capitulation at Crawley, humiliation at Histon, submission at Sutton, harrowing in opposition to Hereford, no-show at Newport and wretched at Rochdale.
There are others too, and that’s the reason being again at Wembley for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Chelsea issues.
“It’s massive,” says long-standing supporter Gareth, from Morley. “I’m old-school. Never seen us in the final and only one semi-final.
“The FA Cup, for me, is the perfect membership competitors on the earth. I can bear in mind the ’70s and ’80s finals – the build-up on each channels. In the group resort. The interviews. It was good.”
The cup just isn’t Leeds‘ only concern as the season reaches its conclusion, as they continue their fight to retain their Premier League status.
“Forget survival v cup final,” says Gareth. “Just do each. We want to get to remembering that soccer is about profitable. Not participating or surviving. Winning!”
Fellow fan Tony, who like Gareth is in his 50s, has a slightly different take.
“It’s a bizarre one,” he says. “I at all times need to win, however Premier League survival is all I take into consideration.”
With 40 factors on the board, Leeds could already be secure. After going through Chelsea they welcome relegated Burnley to Elland Road on Friday.
“Sunday is a free hit,” says Tony. “I’d take beating Burnley over beating Chelsea.”
Pragmatism for some, then, but pomp for others.
Steve, from Kirkheaton, is travelling first class on the train to the semi-final – and plans to take his 90-year-old mum to the final if they make it.
“It’ll be an incredible day trip and we now have an opportunity,” he says. “Chelsea had been stunning in opposition to Brighton.”
