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VITAL FOOTBALL
Everybody Hates Leeds
by Richard McCormick (a contributor to a Bolton Wanderers website)
10-07-07
A big part of football is the rivalries it throws up. Manchester United and Liverpool. Arsenal and Spurs. Portsmouth and Southampton is said to be particularly poisonous. The situation at Bolton's a bit different. Blackburn Rovers are the nearest thing to local rivals but the enmity between them and Burnley is a lot keener. However, no matter what likes and dislikes football creates, one thing is clear.
Everyone hates Leeds.
Of course no one likes the taxman either, but HM Customs and Excise have done their image a power of good in refusing to accept a settlement on the £7.7 million they're owed, which has forced the club to be put up for sale.
The bad feeling probably stems from the 1970s when the Yorkshire club had a side that was talented but utterly cynical. 'Dirty, dirty Leeds' was the usual jibe. Having a less than charming chairman in Ken Bates, doesn't help either. Neither does having Dennis Wise, probably the most spiteful player ever to pull on a football shirt, as manager.
So when LUFC was consigned to the third tier of English football at the end of last season, there was much gloating. Bolton's part in Leeds' downfall should not be underestimated. They loaned out centre back Lubomir Michalik and he did a decent job at Elland Road. Then they recalled the player at the most vital time. Sam Allardyce isn't exactly popular around these parts at the moment, but he should be given a few brownie points for that stroke of genius.
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