The passion. The die-hard fans. The infamous Leeds United. This football club is no ordinary team and the journey started in 1919 when they took over from Leeds City. From this moment the club has had some of the most enthralling times in English football but also some of the dullest and most bleak.
The 1960s were a fond time for those who support the Whites, it is known as the Don Revie era. The side won two league titles, both English cups, and reached the final of the European competition. After undergoing a load of success in this era the loyal supporters had more to cheer about in the early 90s when the team won the last English first division title before it became the Premier League.
The success wouldn’t continue for the West Yorkshire side as they were relagated into the championship in 2004 in which the club has spent the majority of its time since the relegation. Despite the hardship, the Leeds faithful still turned up in their numbers at Elland Road to support the club no matter what.
The journey for the Leeds United women’s team has been just as bumpy and as thrilling since the club first began in 1989. Similar to their male counterparts the club is littered with history, the team saw early success, winning the Northern Premier League in 2001 and gained promotion to the Women’s Premier League.
From here the club has had some massive names playing for Leeds such as Steph Houghton, Ellen White, and Carly Telford. After swapping ownership multiple times the club is back under the name of Leeds United Women and they currently play in the FAWNL Divison One North.
The current captain for the Women’s side believes the history and stature of the club has a crucial part to play: “Everyone’s FA Cup final is us, we play for a club that’s got a massive history not just in women’s football but in men’s too. Lots of people want to beat you and make you look foolish and I think that Is the same for when the men are playing as well so there is an expectation in every game.”
The pressure of playing for Leeds United
With the history of the club for both the men and women being rooted in success and failure, Smart says: “Playing for this club the badge does bring a massive expectation.”
With expectation comes pressure and this is no different for the ladies who step out onto the pitch wearing the famous white.
“There is a little bit of pressure when you have all the people watching and shouting and it is maybe if we don’t perform to the best there is that level of disappointment from our side and from the fans.” Star striker Jess Rousseau explains.
For the skipper playing for this club is a little more sentimental having grew up being a lifelong Leeds fan and Smart has also played for Leeds since she was a girl, “I’ve been a Leeds fan forever I can remember, sometimes it’s painful as it is for any football fan so playing for them brings an added expectation when you’re a fan yourself.”
The difficulties of managing the pressure on the pitch aren’t the only challenge for Leeds United players, the takeover from the 49ers group in 2023 has also made it a challenge for the women on the pitch this season.
“We had a big season last season; we won something and went fairly well in the FA Cup.
“This season we wanted to win a little bit more in the league but unfortunately things didn’t work out that way at the beginning of the season and you learn from hard times.” Smart reminisced.
Smarts colleague, Rousseau also reflected on what has been a challenging season for the Whites having finished sixth in the table after a season of change in management at all levels: “It has been a difficult season for us with Rick going at the start of the season then obviously Simon has stepped up.
“We have all kind of come together and made the best of the situation that we are in and we have been supported by the club and also the fans. We have all worked hard but it’s not where want to finish.”
The drive to succeed and win pulses through the veins of this football club and the Women’s manager Simon Wood says: “It’s balancing what an achievement it is to what a privilege and honour it is.
“To achieve stuff, you want to get promoted out of this league and do better each season but there are also other achievements. We want to bring young players through at this club who are our players so our young female players can see there is a pathway through.”
The struggles of part-time football
With the club no longer competing in the Women’s Premier League, the players and staff only play the game they love as a part-time outfit.
This is the case for many female footballers as a lot of aspiring professionals still have to work a full-time job outside of playing for such a historic clubs like Leeds.
“It is difficult trying to organise your life around games getting rescheduled but all the girls put in 110% effort to get here for games and training and I know a lot of their employers facilitate doing that. So, it is one of those things that we do all have to juggle but it’s nothing that anybody else in this league doesn’t juggle either so we do take it in our stride.” The captain says with a passionate tone.
This may seem like a monumental challenge from the outside to balance such responsibilities but Smart says: “It’s a fair amount of chaos but if you’ve never known any different then that’s it and it’s something that I’ve always done. So, until I stop, I probably won’t appreciate how much time it does take up.”
Playing in the FAWNL Division One North for the Leeds United Women also means that the ladies don’t have the benefits of playing on the most pristine pitches like Elland Road every week and the post-postponement of games has been something this massive club has had to deal with this year.
For all the players this can be a struggle and Rousseau says: “It’s hard especially at the back end of the season when games get rescheduled but it’s one of those where we have to be flexible and adapting by taking every game as it comes.”
For the manager of such a huge team, these challenges also allow him to be able to see what it means for those involved when games get cancelled and rearranged.
“The players have been great and you get girls changing their shifts last minute but I think that represents them in a good manner because it shows how much they want to play and represent the club.” Wood says with a smile.
With all the challenges playing for Leeds United Women, representing one of the most famous clubs in the world means that the clubs they face have an added incentive to defeat a giant.
“I think everyone ups their games against Leeds but I think we have a good setup, good coaches and we set up well so from there it’s our game to lose,” Rousseau says.
‘Nobody likes to play us’
Despite all the setbacks and obstacles, the ladies have to overcome, playing for a club with the stature and presence of Leeds also brings many benefits for those who tackle the challenge.
“I think it does bring some added pressure to other teams because we are organised and have been around a long time so nobody likes to play us.” Smart says.
The 20-year-old Star striker Rousseau has also reeked the rewards since joining the famous Leeds United in 2023 from Lincoln City and believes her game has progressed for the better, “Before I was at Leeds I used to move around and I think coming here there is a set way of this is where we want you to play and how we want you to play.
“So, from this, I’ve been allowed to learn my role to the best of my ability and I think that’s why I’ve done so well this year from just being consistent and practicing.”
So, despite having all the pressure playing for a club the size of Leeds, Rousseau has proved herself as a remarkable athlete and won the Leeds United Women’ play of the year award for her efforts this season.
One way these footballers continue to improve and set remarkable standards on the pitch is the chance to train at some of the best facilities all the time. As Leeds is a historic football club they have some of the best training facilities in England at the Thorp Arch Academy and this is where the women can practice and improve on their skills.
“Thorp Arch is a class A academy and its unbeatable in this league for sure and I would say in the league above as well. There is no comparison the facilities there are unbelievable and I don’t think any other club near us can compare.” Smart says with a smile on her face.
As well as being the best in their league these facilities give the women the chance to train on a regular occurrence even when games are postponed, “It’s just that access to outdoor and indoor if the weather is bad as lots of training used to get cancelled so it’s being there week in week out.” Rousseau explains.
Knowing you have some of the best facilities in order to prepare players be the best on a matchday is an advantage any club would like and manager Wood thinks it has a massive benefit.
“We are really blessed because the training facilities are as good as you are going to get and we are really fortunate that the club let us use those facilities.
“It really gives us an advantage over other teams in our league and we want to make sure the players appreciate that and don’t take that for granted as we have to keep their drive and desire but the support from the club is second to none.” Wood says.
When playing for such a big club it’s not only the facilities that benefit the Leeds United women, the die-hard fan base is something that is extremely unique to Leeds United. These loyal fans turn out in their numbers to both the men’s and the women’s teams which can benefit those that are on the pitch.
“It’s great when we get supporters down and the nice bit for me is seeing how many young female fans are down by the side of the pitch at the end that want that picture with a player, want that autograph, and want that moment to speak to our players,” Wood says.
The next generation
For Leeds United, it isn’t just about the talent and passion that they already have at the football club but it is about inspiring the next generation of fans and players, Wood says: “To see the game grown and for those young players to see it and believe it they can achieve it. And being able to come to a stadium like Garforth’s and watch a good game of football with good female players gives them their own role models.
“So, if you ask them who their favourite player is they not just going for the generic male Leeds United players they are also saying our players.”
The future of the women’s game has progressed massively over recent years and Smart believes the future of the beautiful game is in safe hands: “The women’s game has grown massively especially since the women won the Euros so I hope it grows even more and it might outgrow my lifetime of playing football, but it will be something the girls in the academy will benefit from.”
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