Leeds United Say " Cardiff Have a Chip on Their Shoulder "

LEEDS UNITED NEWS CARDIFF ARE TROUBLE, BUT WE’RE ON FOR THE DOUBLE

By Alastair Ross

Monday March 7, 2016


When it gets to Leeds, there is no doubt that Cardiff have a chip on their shoulder.

I am not entirely sure whether you can pinpoint the moment such deep-rooted displeasure embodied an entire city and why.

I must admit that all I know of 80’s hooliganism is what I have read.

You had your, quite literal, big hitters across the English leagues and Cardiff’s Soul Crew were an unpleasant stain amongst them. Alongside your West Ham’s, Chelsea’s and Millwall’s, they liked to think they ran with the big boys. Again, from what I have read, I am led to believe they still do.

Leeds were far from squeaky clean back then either, I am sure you will not lambast me for saying that much. But there were plenty of teams across the UK who, in the words of cinema’s most comically unconvincing hooligan Danny Dyer, “loved a proper tear up”.



But why Leeds? What did us fine Yorkshire folk do to rile the wrath of them lot over the border?

Well there have been a few bitter pills for the temperamental Welshmen to swallow over the years that may shed some light on this non-geographical grudge.

There’s the fact that Leeds consistently beat Cardiff without a second glance before September 1984 (more on that to come).



There is the Peter Ridsdale link who left Leeds in ruins before having the audacity to turn up in Cardiff looking like the Cheshire Cat with cash in hand. The results of his doomed 2007 bid to become a member of the Welsh FA (FAW) were more than a little hint that Yorkshiremen aren’t too welcome in Wales.

And of course that infamous FA Cup tie of 2002.

The fuse for the modern day rivalry was arguably lit that January in Cardiff.

There was a war of words between Whites boss David O’Leary and the detestable Cardiff chairman, Sam Hammam, before and after the game. O’Leary unadvisedly boasted that Leeds’ FA cup run “would start and end in Cardiff”, which the Lebanese owner threw back in his face after the 2-1 loss, claiming it had done just that.

For those who do not recall, O’Leary stormed across the Cardiff City car park to grab him by the lapels.

Alas it was a fight which never began thanks to Ridsdale intervening(can you do anything right Peter? Honestly!). There was also the small matter that a 1,000 strong mob stormed the pitch after the game that day. This included the tub of Lebanese lard with ex-con bodyguard in tow and Welsh flag in hand.

Nevertheless, all of that becomes trivial when the two sides clash on the pitch tomorrow.

Leeds beat Cardiff City 1-0 at Elland Road back in November, giving themselves the chance to do the double over the Bluebirds for the first time since 1984. And Leeds fans should be heartened by the fact that it was two 1-0 wins that did the trick that year.

Between 1984 and 2016 the head-to-head is not pretty reading. In fact, it is horrendous. This season’s triumph at home was the only victory since the double in 1984.

One positive historically however, is that when the tides turn in this fixture, they seem to do so emphatically. Between 1957-1984, Leeds didn’t lose to the Welsh side once. Across two divisions and in the FA Cup no less. So is it the start of a renaissance for Yorkshire? The beginning of another unbeaten run against the most bitter of rivals spanning gloriously over three decades?

My God I hope so.

But I’ll take three points for now.

I think if anyone has a chip on his shoulder, it's this guy! Hypocrisy at its finest!

That FA cup defeat really hit em hard didn't it

Yet another inept budding sports 'journalist'. I hope he's not planning in getting paid for any of his 'work' when he graduates as to be brutally honest, its shit. Good day sir.

http://weareleedsunited.co.uk/author/alastair/

Me thinks he thinks Leeds are still a top, top team! f*cking idiot

Sounds like he's never been outside yorkshire.If he had he'd know Leeds are hated by everyone not just us.

My god, that makes the Echo look like top draw broadsheet journalism

I suspect that when they play The Seagulls, his headline will read 'Brighton Have A Chap On Their Shoulder'.

Massive bag of King Edwards on their shoulders for years now about everything.

Sleeping Giant lol.

Keep taking the sleeping tablets

January 2002 top of the premier league in the champions league all going very good for Leeds United.

Then Cardiff City beat them in the third round of the FA cup .
Leeds even took the lead .
Then from that Sunday on , it's been down hill and they blame it all on poor little Cardiff City. TBH that's why they hate us,they beat us in November with a worldy of a goal but that's all they had.
I can't wait to beat them tonight to end their one game winning streak against us.

My mate's a Huddersfield fan....They hate Leeds more than anyone.

This is obviously a joke...Is this guy not aware that everyone hates Leeds???? Man U, Man City, Liverpool, both Sheffield clubs, us, Millwall, WBA, Boro, Newcastle the list is endless

That FA cup defeat really hit em hard didn't it

"We're the one's who fucked you up, we're the ones who fucked you up!!"

Scott Johnson's got a yorkshire twin

In fairness Alastair Ross is giving a Leeds United perspective which was never going to go down well with us. He is right that the recent rivalry was ignited by that now infamous 2002 FA Cup tie and the ironic link with Peter Ridsdale.

That said I'm never really sure what the saying "chip on the shoulder" is supposed to mean? Is it an insult (if so I don't get it) or an excuse for their terrible run of results against us since 1984.

In fairness Alastair Ross is giving a Leeds United perspective which was never going to go down well with us. He is right that the recent rivalry was ignited by that now infamous 2002 FA Cup tie and the ironic link with Peter Ridsdale.

That said I'm never really sure what the saying "chip on the shoulder" is supposed to mean? Is it an insult (if so I don't get it) or an excuse for their terrible run of results against us since 1984.

has the rivalry got anything to do with ridsdale? i doubt it

Everybody hates Leeds.

If you are in your 50’s they are dirty Leeds who kicked the beauty out of the game
If you are in your 40’s they were hooligans who nearly ruined the game
If you are in your 30’s they are a fallen giant
If you are in your 20’s they are irrelevant.


There biggest claim to fame is that man U still sing the odd song about them.

There = Their

I hate football superstitions and omens but I just cannot ignore them.

There are 2 inescapable facts - that Leeds ended their hoodoo this season and Evans their manager has overseen 2 city defeats this season.

It should mean absolutely nothing - absolutely nothing - different games, different players, different officials in fact different everything but I am fraught with anxiety as these omens are playing havoc with me.

Another bullshit article how do these so called journalists get a job for writing absolute nonsense

Everybody hates Leeds.

If you are in your 50’s they are dirty Leeds who kicked the beauty out of the game
If you are in your 40’s they were hooligans who nearly ruined the game
If you are in your 30’s they are a fallen giant
If you are in your 20’s they are irrelevant.

I like this, fantastic quote.