Players past and present have joined countless fans in bidding an emotional farewell to Leeds United legend, Luke Ayling, as he departs the club to join Middlesborough after more than seven long years at Elland Road.
Ayling, who has been a stalwart in the side since 2016, spending some of the best years of his career and the club's recent history as the first-choice right-back, was officially unveiled as a Boro player on Wednesday — but not before a proper goodbye.
Having been part of the side that led Leeds back to the Premier League after their 16-year absence and serving as a trusted deputy to team captain Liam Cooper during his injury setbacks, the fans and those around the club are gutted to see him go.
The club shared a number of fond farewells from Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Archie Gray and Stuart Dallas on Thursday.
Leeds stars say bye to the bloke simply known as 'Bill'.
Making a total of 268 appearances (93 in the top flight) keeping 83 clean sheets and serving as captain 81 times started as captain, not to mention registering 11 goals and 21 assists from full-back, he has been a key cog in how Leeds play for a long time.
Surviving nine different managers across eight whole seasons, experiencing all the highs and the lows, the 32-year-old has seen every side of the Peacocks and things won't be the same without him. His former teammates made that abundantly clear.
Cooper wrote in his own personal tribute post on X: "Think I speak for everyone, there isn’t many who come and get us like Bill. I’d want him in the trenches with me everyday of the week. Enjoyed the highest of highs and dragged each other through the tough times. Gonna miss you pal. Nothing but respect."
Dallas also joined, adding, "A leader both on and off the pitch. An absolute warrior who I would pick to go to war with every day of the week. A club legend that will be remembered forever. It’s been a pleasure my mate." The fan farewells have been even more emotional:
Ayling now joins the fellow Championship side on loan until the end of the season but with his contract expiring at the end of the season, there is the obvious expectation that a move to Michael Carrick's side or otherwise will be made permanent.
The former Arsenal academy graduate hasn't played in the league for the Whites since 3 November but was given a cameo by manager Daniel Farke in the FA Cup win over Peterborough United this past Sunday.
Speaking on his decision to leave, Ayling himself thanked the club for the unwavering support, insisting: "I can't tell you what a great time I've had... I've got no words".
Reeling off the highlights from his time in Yorkshire in a lengthy sign-off, he ended by simply writing, "Thank you for everything, I hope I've done you proud".
Andy Burnham has said that he wants to scrap the 'unfair' ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It's a ban that's been in place in the top five tiers of men's football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands - or 'drinking in sight / view of the pitch', as it's known formally - is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don't apply to fans of other sports.
"I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way," Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: "I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
"I'm not going to back away from what's been a long-held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently."
The Prime Minister's comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the 'unfair' ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it 'totally agrees' the legislation is 'outdated' and 'deserves to be reviewed'.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: "The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match - especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league."
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be 'incredibly rash' to change the rules without proper consultation.
"Other sports simply don't see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour," it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that 'there are different ways it could be done', hinting that it could be done 'on a trial basis' perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be 'receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch'.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Featured Image - Pexels
Sport
Kevin Sinfield will return to Leeds for his final 7 in 7 challenge in honour of Rob Burrow
Clementine Hall
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Danny Jones -
11th January 2024 
