Terrace chants tell half the story

13 April 2012

First the chants, then that astonishing on-pitch salute from his team-mates to Lee Bowyer. Last night - shocking as it may seem - Leeds United appeared to be a club without shame.

Players and fans alike gave the impression of being united in support of the disgraced midfielder, who has been transfer-listed after refusing to pay a fine of four weeks wages - estimated at £88,000 - for being drunk on the streets on the night Asian student Sarfraz Najeib was beaten up and left unconscious outside a Leeds night club.

That, at least, is how it seems. What is in no doubt is that some furious passions have been unleashed in the city in the last 48 hours.

Liz Green, who runs a morning phone-in on BBC Radio Leeds, said they were deluged with calls yesterday. "I have never heard such passion," she said. "Lee Bowyer was player of the season last year. He is their boy - and now he is going. They are heartbroken."

She said there were even calls from people who are not football fans, but felt passionate about Leeds and wanted to defend the city. "There's a strong feeling that came through that somehow Leeds, the club, is always an easy target for the press. They feel very badly that the club's star turn is being vilified." It was hard to escape the conclusion from last night's match against Everton that Leeds' fans are standing shoulder to shoulder with Bowyer.

When they chanted "Bowyer, Bowyer, Bowyer, what the **** is going on?" and "stand up for Lee Bowyer" it was clear that for them his achievements on the pitch far outweighed any shame he may have brought upon the club by his behaviour off it.

A banner unfurled by fans read: "Lose Bowyer means lose the title. It's your choice."

Not that it was a unanimous opinion: another banner read "Bowyer pay up now."

In the light of the public vilification, it would be natural if some fans wanted to defend him. Yesterday's Mirror called him - among other things - a "violent, racist, cowardly....scumbag."

Today's Daily Mail devoted its back page to a call for Bowyer to be sacked "for the good of the game."

What is surprising, then, is just how many Leeds fans think the club was right to fine him and that he should pay up or leave. Spike Graham, 25, a season ticket holder, said: "I think the club is right with its stance. It's the club that comes first. This just tarnishes the club's image. If he won't pay they have to sell him. I think the majority feel like I do."

Another season ticket holder, Ross McIntyre, 26, a technical analyst, said: "I think they were right to fine him. I would hate to lose him as a Leeds fan because he is arguably the best player. But he should pay up. The whole thing has shown the club in a bad light. Leeds have been putting the image as a dirty club behind them and this does not help."

One female football fan - a Middlesbrough supporter - said Bowyer should be sacked. Jennifer Yuchtepe a social worker who works with young offenders said: "You see him going out and getting legless - what message does it send out?"

According to a phone poll in tonight's Yorkshire Evening Post almost exactly half thought Bowyer should pay up. Fractionally more thought he should not have been punished.

There are undeniably diehard fans who cannot conceive of their heroes doing anything wrong. In Leeds city centre today, a trio of painters and decorators stopped to give their opinion but paused momentarily as if they knew that what they were about to say was somehow unacceptable.

"He has been unfairly treated," said one, Adam Townsley. "He's been found not guilty. It's meant to be all over, and they are carrying it on. If he were to pay his fine, he would be saying he was guilty."

For all these views, however, Leeds is clearly not a club without shame. People love Lee Bowyer, but also condemn his behaviour unreservedly.

Don't believe everything that gets chanted at football grounds.

MORE ABOUT

BBC

Terrace chants tell half the story

Read More