Leeds United have shown their class with a lovely gesture ahead of their final shot at promotion this weekend by gifting their oldest season card holder with a ticket to the playoff final.
Having booked their trip to Wembley with a confident and convincing 4-0 win over Norwich, meaning that Southampton are now the only team that stands between them and a return to the Premier League, the Whites are just one step away.
But regardless of the result come Sunday (26 May), they’re determined to make it a special day for the fans and one life-long supporter in particular: Leslie Bray
The 98-year-old Elland Road regular has been going to home games for over 50 years and his commitment to the club is now being repaid with a ticket to their massive playoff fixture.
🤍 @EFL and #LUFC surprise the club’s oldest season ticket holder, Leslie Bray, with tickets to watch the Play-Off Final at Wembley
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 23, 2024
Bray – the long-serving Leeds fan and former RAF navigator who used to fly Lancaster bombers during World War II – has barely missed a game in over half a century. Now that’s dedication.
With that in mind, it was a no-brainer when the club were looking for someone to gift the special set of tickets and he was quickly nominated for the giveaway and a special behind-the-scenes stadium tour as a token of gratitude for all his unwavering support over the years.
Unfortunately, Leslie was recently diagnosed with dementia and sometimes struggles to remember his age; however, he’s always able to remember every single word to Leeds’ iconic club anthem, ‘Marching on Together’.
We’ve watched this dozens of times and it still makes us well up.
Life long Leeds supporter Leslie is 98 years old and suffers with Dementia. He often struggles to remember those closest to him, but always remembers the Leeds United Anthem “Marching On Together”
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) February 28, 2024
Football is so much more than “just a game”, love this! ❤️pic.twitter.com/6uV4rCn0wZ
Read more:
- Leeds United return as official sponsor of Leeds Pride 2024
- The best things to do in and around Leeds this week | 20 – 26 May 2024
- Cult favourite Crash Records is launch official retro footy kit
Joining Leslie in the capital on Sunday will be his son Steve, along with friends and fellow Leeds fans, Anne and Susan.
Steve told the club: “My dad and I have been going to watch Leeds home and away since the 1960s and we’re looking forward to watching them at Wembley stadium in the Play-Offs this weekend.
“We’re grateful to the club and the EFL for providing us with the tickets to sit together and the stadium tour – to walk down the tunnel and stand where so many incredible players have stood is going to be quite something and we’re really looking forward to it. Making memories together is always so special!”
The White kick-off against the Saints at 3pm this Sunday, 26 May and for Leslie’s sake, as well as the Leeds fans making the long trip to Wembley and watching out in the city or at home, we sincerely hope they get the job done.
Featured Images — Leeds United/BBC
