26.4.2008
In April 1945, Soviet writers such as Ilya Ehrenburg gloated that the Red Army hordes were marauding through the Third Reich and ‘the lair of the fascist beast’. Sixty three years later, the Red hordes of Greater Manchester and numerous other places descended on peaceful Garforth – the lair of ‘Leeds Scum’ – as Town looked to enjoy their proposed end of season carnival devoid of trouble. While the day was memorable, the questionable conduct of many led this writer in particular to ponder as to why the fixture was treated by the visitors as Leeds versus Manchester United in a hotbed of activity at the Genix Healthcare Stadium.
Mounted police rode through the streets of Garforth, and the scene resembled the bitter home leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray of Turkey. On high alert, West Yorkshire’s finest did not allow many into the ground, and apprehended potential troublemakers and an enterprising ticket tout. Ominously, FC marched to the ground through Cedar Ridge with many already chanting ‘We all hate Leeds Scum’. With the surrounding area of the Genix heaving with a sea of red and black, blue and yellow, flags and scarves and a mass of humanity, the stage was set for a belter of a match.
FC United held the far side of the ground, Garforth the other, and the terracing became the centre of attention as the reds made their intentions clear by hurling abuse at three 16 year olds in Leeds shirts on the Garforth side. This would continue throughout the game, as the vitriolic visitors began chanting incessantly ‘We all hate Leeds scum’.
There was an entertaining sideshow to the day – the football match. Having succumbed to title chasing Skelmersdale and Mossley, Garforth delivered a performance to satisfy the support at the season’s climax, and the year to come looks promising with the return of Simon Clifford. Town applied early pressure, but were once again unable to score as the absence of a true marksman was apparent.
The most noteworthy incident in footballing terms of the first period occurred when Chris Brown was through on goal with only Sam Ashton in the FC goal to beat, but was cynically hacked down which went with surprising impunity, and no dismissal was forthcoming.
While FC sang various insulting Manchester United chants directed at Leeds, the Garforth crowd were restrained in their response. Inevitably, a small group of Leeds including several youngsters finally responded to the taunts with an anti-Manchester United song, which was short-lived. However, a group of FC hurtled round the stadium mob-handed and ambushed them. The game was temporarily halted. While the police reacted swiftly, many FC stayed in this area designated for home support, joining in enthusiastically with the renewed ‘We all hate Leeds scum’ chanting that rang out from an appreciative United terrace.
At half time the bar was closed by police, as certain FC fans decided that limiting their assaults on Garforth to that of the verbal variety was unproductive.
The second half proved just as entertaining, as Town came close with a Renshaw header and several shots struck wide. Disaster struck as a Jamie Baguley free kick took a horrible deflection, and bounced into the Garforth goal past Spratt. Town replied with a headed goal from Richard Carrick, after intense pressure that led to the award of a corner. Alas, it wasn’t to be, as Renshaw’s goal-line clearance of an FC header was deemed to have been made with his hand, and the referee consequently brandished the red card at Garforth’s captain. Nick Platt coolly converted the penalty.
‘There’s only one Peter Ridsdale’, chanted FC. ‘There’s only one Malcolm Glazer’, I replied.
The final whistle concluded the first ever season in the Unibond League for both sides, and Garforth were magnanimous in defeat as Simon Clifford, Alan Billingham, Steve Nichol and Vernol Blair applauded the visiting supporters as well as their own. FC United Club Chairman Andy Walsh spoke cheerfully, and opined that the season had been good and that ‘this day could have been much worse.’ Kindly, he expressed concern at the ramifications of police involvement for our club, and wished us the best.
Both the match and day were unforgettable, for both the right and wrong reasons, and on behalf of Garforth Town, from Garforth, West Yorkshire, I would like to wish FC United all the best in their attempt to win promotion via the play-offs. I also wish them a speedy and safe journey home from the 'lair of leeds scum', as the real 'Red Army' of 1945 remained in the 'lair of the fascist beast' at their leisure for nearly half a century - with the current recession I couldn't imagine this village sustaining our distinguished Manc guests for so long. As for the Miner’s, with a bolstered squad, the return of Simon and our inaugural Unibond experience to build on, Garforth Town should emerge a real fighting force in September and let the storm break loose – on the pitch.
See you all next season, keep the faith, trust and believe.
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