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Leeds legend Liam Cooper puts £1,000 behind The Old Peacock bar for locals
'What a captain and leader on the pitch and at the club he was. An even greater gentleman and kindhearted guy who will do everything for anybody top guy. MOT.'
Leeds United legend Liam Cooper was a special guest at go-to matchday pub The Old Peacock this past weekend and delighted fans even further by putting a healthy £1,000 in free drinks behind the bar.
Cooper left the Whites after more than 10 years at Elland Road back in September 2024 after his contract expired, joining Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia on a free transfer, but he remains a welcome face at the pub across the way from Leeds' home ground.
Especially when he gets the round in.
Returning to The Old Peacock for the first time since leaving Yorkshire, not only did Liam Cooper turn up completely by surprise and offered to put £1,000 behind the bar.
A belated Christmas present from ex-captain Cooper. (Credit: The Old Peacock)
Speaking to the BBC, one of the staff members explained how Cooper walked in pretty much without being noticed until beloved bar woman Dawn Oates spotted him and asked him for a picture.
After it became apparent it was indeed the former defender and club captain, the Kingston upon Hull-born Scottish international was insistent on sharing some free drinks with the punters.
Dawn and her colleagues then proceeded to hand out can after can of ALAW Lager ('All Leeds Aren't We'), the popular beer created in collaboration between official United supporters' groups and Osset Brewery, who have owned the Peacock since 2013.
Writing in a post on social media, the busy boozer said: "We would like to send a massive thank you to Liam Cooper for coming into the pub today and putting £1000 over which we handed fans a free can of ALAW Lager on his behalf."
Responding in the comments, many applauded the "classy" gesture and noted it wasn't the first time he'd done similar; one person detailed how he was treated to four free tins of the local brew and everyone echoed the mutual love between him and the club.
Much to the delight of regulars, The Old Peacock has been treated to lots of guest appearances by both present and former players over the years.
Fellow former defender and fan favourite Luke Ayling, who also left the club last year, famously relished popping in to surprise match-goers, even having the pub temporarily renamed as 'The Luke Ale Inn' in his honour.
If you thought his goodbye video was emotional enough, 'Coops' farewell was doubly so after a literal decade as a Peacock.
Where does he rank among all-time club servants and legends, do you think?
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Leeds' most iconic stages this winter.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at the Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7 until Saturday 12 December 2026.
Leeds speakeasy crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world by industry experts
Clementine Hall
The beloved Domino Club is receiving its flowers, and rightly so.
Rapidly becoming one of the industry’s most respected accolade of excellence, The Pinnacle Guide is a worldwide ranking of the best bars across the globe.
Based on a thorough self-application process, rigorous assessment modules, followed by a series of spot check interviews and anonymous in-bar reviews, it's no easy feat to get a spot on this list.
Which is why it makes The Domino Club's achievement all that more impressive.
Known amongst locals and visitors alike as basically one of the coolest bars in town, the hidden speakeasy invites you through a barbershop in the Grand Arcade where downstairs you'll find a dimly lit jazz and cocktail bar oozing sex appeal.
Not only are the cocktails exceptional, but their live music listings is something to behold playing everything from jazz and funk to cabaret and disco every Wednesday - Sunday.
Announcing the news to Instagram, The Domino said: "Listed by The Pinnacle Guide. The Domino Club has been recognised on the global list of the world’s best bars.
"What began as a hidden basement bar in Leeds, built around live music, cocktails and atmosphere, is now being recognised alongside some of the finest bars in the world.
"A huge thank you to our team, musicians, suppliers and every single guest who has supported us over the years. This means a lot. Leeds belongs on the world cocktail map."
We absolutely could not agree more and if you haven't ventured behind the barbershop and discovered the magical Domino Club, then we very much recommend you do.
Danny Jones -
6th January 2025 
