Leeds Football Pubs No.4

August 13, 2022

Thames Valley Whites

Home Pubs


Since the set-up of the Thames Valley Whites by Steve Griffin in 2009 pubs have been a vital part of our constitution. We don’t have a TVW pub per se but certain pubs are vital to our routine unless, of course, the rescheduling of games for TV buggers up that routine

Home games involved a pre-match drink at The Nags Head in Holbeck for many of our formative years until it got raided by West Yorkshire’s finest and closed-down for being a cannabis factory (I thought it smelt funny but just assumed it was the toilets!!). It was ideal for us – cheap beer served in real glasses right next to an excellent chippy within walking distance of Elland Road. True, it was hardly sartorial elegance, and it’s unique feature was bring your own bog roll, but it served a very good purpose for many years and we were very upset to lose it. I knew I was “in” with the guvnor when he started allowing me use of the disabled toilet where people tend not to piss on the seat or floor!!

Our alternative, thereafter, was The Peacock – a fine pub with excellent beer – but plastic glasses and long queues produced grizzle after grizzle from the growing membership (numbers and waistline).


Purely by chance we discovered The Bay Horse at East Ardsley – just off the M1 and 10 minutes to Elland Road if you leave at 2.30pm for a 3.00pm kick off. The ale is quaffable and served in glass and the food has always been good although the kitchens are continuously being refurbished this season!! The current landlady has an interesting purple hue to her hair but she is friendly enough and always willing to hand out plastic cups to the slow drinkers when we leave promptly……ish.

he return journey for many years involved a comfort break at Leicester Forest Services until we realised that whilst we were dropping off young Jack “the lad” Frake at Lutterworth we could partake at the hostelries on the outskirts of town. This worked well for a season or so until the new manageress of the carvery told us that Leeds United fans weren’t welcome; we told her we didn’t like her shit hole establishment anyway (so there, yarboo sucks) and we dared to venture up the hill into the town centre, finding The Shambles – an aptly named pub for our lot, I am sure you will agree.

The kebab house and chip shop serve the masses well next to The Shambles and the opening of the Classroom (an excellent real ale facility rather than a pub) nearby in recent years has meant that Lutterworth caters very well for the TVWs despite our growing numbers and remains our stop off location of choice.

Our final drop-off point is at Didcot Parkway railway station with the Prince of Wales opposite. Many a home (and away game) has been rounded off with a session in there with our Swindon Massiff (The Magic Roundabout – as in they couldn’t take the), Reading, Eversley, Haslemere lads waiting for their train connections joining the Didcot locals. The main problem here, being that once we get inside, the bright lights of Didcot lure us in to missing the next train out!!! 

One problem is the frequency that irritating non-entities masquerading as Reading fans – “we support our local club”, “yeah, all five of you tossers” – appear and want to make out that they understand what it is like to follow a real club everywhere just because they once reached the Premier League but curiously, never the First Division!! These evenings tend to round of with “Leave them alone, they’re a waste of space and not worth getting nicked for hitting” before I remember I’m 58 not 18 and would probably break my hand and get caught on CCTV. Happy Days!!

March 30, 2026
The results of the recent Football Supporters' Association (FSA) survey , conducted between February and March 2026, make for stark reading. Over 75% of Premier League supporters do not support VAR, while an overwhelming 91.7% believe it has removed the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations. These findings reinforce what many Leeds United F.C. supporters have been experiencing first-hand throughout the current campaign. For Leeds fans, the debate around VAR is not theoretical — it is deeply personal. Recent fixtures have seen contentious decisions, delays, and moments of uncertainty that have directly impacted results, performances and ultimately the club’s standing in the Premier League. Whether it is decisions not reviewed, inconsistencies in application, or prolonged stoppages disrupting momentum, the sense among supporters is clear: VAR is not delivering fairness, and in many cases, it is doing the opposite. The FSA survey highlights that only a tiny minority of fans believe VAR improves the matchday experience, with many citing delays, confusion, and lack of transparency as key concerns. This is echoed widely across football discourse. Supporters responding to national coverage have voiced frustration, with sentiments such as “it’s taken the emotion out of the game” and “you can’t celebrate a goal properly anymore” becoming increasingly common. These are not isolated views — they represent a growing consensus across the game, including among Leeds supporters both home and away. From a Leeds United perspective, the stakes are even higher. Marginal calls, missed interventions, and inconsistent thresholds have the potential to influence league position, financial outcomes and the long-term trajectory of the club. When supporters see similar incidents judged differently week-to-week, confidence in the system erodes further. The argument that VAR improves accuracy is increasingly overshadowed by the reality that fans do not feel the game is fairer, clearer or more enjoyable. Dean Pearson, Chairman of LUSN, commented on the findings: “These results simply confirm what Leeds United supporters — and fans across the country — have been saying for some time. VAR, in its current form, is failing the game. It’s not just about decisions for or against; it’s about the experience, the emotion, and the integrity of football. When supporters lose trust in what they’re watching, whether in the stadium or at home, something has gone fundamentally wrong.” The message from supporters is clear. While technology has a place in modern football, its current implementation is not working. LUSN supports continued dialogue with governing bodies, the Premier League and the FSA to ensure that the voices of supporters — including those of Leeds United F.C. — are heard loud and clear. Whether that leads to revision, refinement, or a more fundamental rethink, the priority must always be restoring trust, fairness and enjoyment in the game. We would like to thank LUSN members who took the time to participate in the recent Football Supporters' Association (FSA) survey , helping ensure that the voices of Leeds fans were reflected in these important findings. #LUFC #LUSN #MOT #ALAW #VAR #FootballFans #PremierLeague #FSA LUSN Committee Board
March 16, 2026
The Leeds United Supporters’ Network (LUSN) strongly condemns the Jimmy Savile chanting heard from sections of the crowd during yesterday’s fixture between Crystal Palace vs Leeds United at Selhurst Park yesterday, Sunday 15th March 2026. Like with previous matches for many seasons, Home or Away, these chants are offensive, harmful and have no place in football or wider society. Beyond the obvious offence caused, the impact of these chants is far deeper. Research and testimony highlighted by LUSN ( see here - https://lusn.co.uk/jimmy-savile-chants ) shows that references to Savile can act as powerful triggers for survivors of sexual abuse, bringing back traumatic memories and causing genuine psychological distress. As charity leader Gabrielle Shaw (CEO of NAPAC ) explained, what may appear to some as “banter” can “hit with the force of a physical blow” for survivors hearing it in a packed stadium or while watching the match at home. We have consistently supported the call for Savile-related chants to be formally recognised within the scope of tragedy chanting legislation. We strongly urge football’s authorities, clubs and supporters — alongside the Football Supporters' Association — to support this effort and implement measures that ensure this abuse is addressed with the seriousness it demands. LUSN Committee Board
March 6, 2026
The Leeds United Supporters’ Network (LUSN) The Leeds United Supporters Network (LUSN) welcomes the statement issued by Leeds United F.C. ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fixture with Norwich City F.C. - LINK We appreciate the club acknowledging that greater communication prior to the Manchester City fixture would have helped supporters better understand the circumstances around the pause in play. This recognition reflects a key point raised in our statement earlier this week regarding the role that insufficient communication contributed to confusion inside Elland Road. We also welcome the club’s reflection on several mitigating factors which may have influenced supporters’ reactions, including stadium messaging limitations and the context of previous fixtures. Recognising these elements is an important step toward ensuring situations such as this are better managed and understood in the future. Our full statement outlining our position and concerns can be read here - https://lusn.co.uk/lusn-statement-040326a LUSN looks forward to working more closely with the club, the Leeds United Supporters Trust, and Leeds supporters everywhere to strengthen communication, representation and collaboration, as we collectively strive to restore both the club and its reputation to where we all believe it should be. LUSN Committee Board
Show More