Saturday 9th Aug 08
So the first day of the season dawns and after what seems the eternity of the close season we are back to the real stuff, Noon kick off away at Scunny. It seems the early kick offs are going to be the norm for the early part of the season at least so I'm picking the Happy Chocker & son up at 9.30 in the morning for the 50 mile trip to Glanford Park. The atmosphere in the car is one of nervous expectation.........after all Macca has recruited well over the summer and we appear to have a stronger squad than last year plus we've had a good pre season so we should be out of the blocks in a similar fashion to the minus 15 season. Scunthorpe are a strong side and will give us a good test and as the incessant rain makes for a grey journey the first seeds of doubt start to surface over the coming match.
Once the car is parked in the retail park amongst the restaurants and shops we find our way to the "Old Farmhouse" pub for pre match refreshment.........."Home fans" only the smiling doorman informs me looking at me resplendent in the Yellow away shirt, luckily the Happy Chocker is in plain clothes and he is able to blag his way in and emerges with a couple of pints which we are able to quaff outside. Over the next 30 minutes the vast majority of potential customers are somewhat confused on receiving a rebuttal from our smiling doorman (Home fans only) when we are sat some 5 yards away enjoying Scunthorpe's best bitter!
Once inside the ground we soon recognise some of the regular characters who follow the mighty whites across the country......firstly the famous Yellow Peril with his finely decorated shirt appears. As the start of the match draws near the atmosphere is cranked up a notch or two, despite the early start, with a chorus of MOT enthusiasticaly supported by a number of Leeds fans in the Scunny section adjacent.
The first half comes and goes...............Leeds struggle for the first 30 mins against a more lively Scunny outfit and it's clear that Macca will have some work to do at HT but as the half draws to a close we seem to be scrapping our way back into the match. Enoch, Snoddy and Robbo are all making their debuts and the general view from my earshot is that only Robbo should come out for the 2nd half..........We Leeds fans always give new players lot's of time to settle in.....well at least 20 minutes!
The 2nd half starts with no changes, much grumbling from Leeds fans, but suddenly Leeds are on fire and surging forward creating chances galore, maybe Macca does know what he's doing?
Then disaster strikes...........Scunny are pushing forward and Rui slips 1.0 Scunny. Not for long though as the re-vitalised whites force their way back into the game with a headed goal from Enoch, now a hero, to be followed soon after by Jermaine's first of the season and what turns out to be the winner. 3 points from the first game of the season and for a short time we sit proud at the top of the league.
So a good win to start the campaign and unlike last year this was achieved by some good football and plenty of creative play from the midfield. Robinson looks a class apart and Becks sharper than ever. The omens are good.
Back to the car and plenty of time to listen to the Radio Leeds phone in while we queue to get out of the car park. And as we disappear back down the M181 a warm glow of anticipation permutates through the car over what lies ahead.....only 45 games to go.
Next Match Chester away in the Carling Cup.......bring it on.