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".
The final go-ahead is expected to be given for work to start on a major new £15million sports hub in Holbeck.
Senior councillors are expected to give the approval next Wednesday 11 March at an executive board meeting.
An agreement will be made on a contractor to complete the work which will bring state-of-the-art sports pitches and a community space to the city.
Holbeck Sports Hub will provide three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a building with changing rooms and a café.
Image: Supplied
Work is expected to begin in August 2026 and is set to be built at the site of the former Matthew Murray High School.
The plan is to also provide a home to a new GP surgery as well as a children’s play area and walking and running routes through the green space which sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Image: Supplied
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We look forward to the work starting on the Holbeck Sports Hub, which will be a significant asset to the local community and residents in south Leeds.
“It will provide affordable and accessible quality sports pitches, providing more opportunities for physical activity and play and spaces to meet up and connect.
“We are also working towards an agreement with a GP practice so that the area can benefit from new high-quality healthcare provision to meet the needs of the community.”
The programme is joint funded by the Football Foundation and Leeds City Council capital funding.
This UK pub chain has announced bottomless Guinness for the 2026 Six Nations
Danny Jones
Guinness and the Six Nations has got to be a match made in heaven.
With the 2026 Six Nations tournament kicking off last Friday Thursday, 5 February – it's safe to say rugby fans across Leeds will be set on finding the perfect place to watch the upcoming matches.
However, we can’t think of many other places offering bottomless black gold in town, let alone anywhere else in Leeds.
So, if you were still unsure of where to watch this year’s tournament, the Social Pub and Kitchen group might have just made the decision for you…
That’s right, this widespread British chain is looking to keep the pints flowing throughout the duration of this year’s competition, thanks to a twist on their standard bottomless brunch format.
Image: Social Pub and Kitchen Group
Running for every single televised meeting between the much-loved half dozen rugby union teams, all 103 of their locations across the country will be providing this impressive offer on pints.
Here in Leeds, the Dry Dock, The Library and the Hyde Park Hotel will be offering the deal.
As well as these nearby venues, there are obviously plenty more around Yorkshire for those slightly further afield.
With a new food menu too, which features several honey-based dishes like the sweet sriracha pizza, chipotle loaded fries, as well as honey chipotle chicken wings, the matchday scran is on point.
So too are the drinks, clearly, and if any of your party wants to stray away from the bottomless Guinness, there are series of special Six Nations-themed cocktails, such as the ‘Midnight in Dublin’, a ‘Peach on the Pitch’ margarita, Baby Velvet, and the bold ‘G-Bomb’.
Yes, we suspect it is as boozy as it sounds.
Running throughout February and March whilst the games are on, we imagine plenty of people will be making at least one Social Pub and Kitchen site their chosen destination for watching all the action.
Even if you happen to be reading this outside of Leeds, you can find your nearest Social Pub and Kitchen and book your table right HERE.
Danny Jones -
11th January 2024 
