30 years ago recently promoted Leeds United looked to exploit the riches of their return to the top tier of English football but were hampered by a restricted ground capacity. However, led by Leslie Silver who had created one of Europe’s largest paint manufacturers from his Army pay out, and Bill Fotherby, a man with extraordinary persuasive abilities, they relentlessly pursued any income stream. Gordon Strachan recounts his contract negotiations with Bill when he came away owing the Club money. 

The Corporate Box holders, the elite of Leeds Business, were shocked to find what they thought was a three-year agreement with Bill, was in fact only two.

 The price increases were eyewatering.

Leeds 11-man Board oozed commercial expertise, and they explored, utilised, and exploited every avenue to improve the Club’s income. After 8 painful years of absence from the top level this was payback time, and the supporters flocked back. Demand outstripped supply and season tickets, so essential in the dark days of the second tier had become costly and limiting. The club stopped the disabled season tickets. The staunch, longstanding and loyal disabled supporters had to run a lottery of a telephone purchase along with the new supporters.

Across the country disabled sports fans were being ignored and marginalised. Much needed facilities were at best, an afterthought. Elland Road was no exception and the disabled toilets with ill-fitting doors were located in a car park.

Facing this mountain of commercial and negotiating expertise was the 36-year-old ex-Army Tank Transporter and HGV1 driver, Stuart Ramm. Displaying his own brand of persuasion, he convinced Leeds United to send out a letter to all registered disabled fans inviting them to a meeting at the Fullerton Park Club House.

On a cold January evening over 50 disabled fans, deeply disillusioned and disheartened with the attitude of the Leeds United Board, Executive and Society towards disability, attended. The consensus was, faced with such attitudes prevailing in not only the club but also in the community, that they needed a collective voice and the pooling of skill. 

This became the inaugural meeting of Leeds United Disabled Organisation, which is now better known by its acronym LUDO.

In January 1992 it was formalised making it one of the oldest disabled football supporters organisations in the world, predating the Premier League. A committee was formed from the vast talent pool and Stuart Ramm was duly elected Chair and Martin Melbardis as Secretary

This was a pivotal moment for disability campaigning in sport.

There was another momentous hurdle to cross. Recognition. Although there was a gradual increase in the number of disabled organisations in wider Society, it was virtually unheard of in football where Clubs had close, cosy, and pliable relationships with their supporter clubs. This was something different and LUDO wanted change. Stuart approached the Club and with his cogent, convincing, and compelling arguments he persuaded Leeds United to recognise LUDO as the negotiating voice of disabled fans.

In LUDO’s first test they channelled this collective voice and forced the club to recognise their loyalty and importance.

The Season Tickets were returned.

This was the first of many victories for LUDO who, throughout the footballing world were recognised as innovators and the catalyst for change for disabled supporters.

2022 marks the 30^th Anniversary of that seminal meeting in that Club House. Neil Hawes, Martin Melbardis, Paul Gregory, and Ian English are still involved and supportive of LUDO and its campaigning on behalf of disabled Leeds United Supporters.

The landscape for football supporters and Leeds United disabled supporters had changed. There were many battles ahead for LUDO with each regime change presenting different problems, challenges, and skills.

Stuart Ramm has been the Chair on 3 separate occasions even after he had announced his retirement in 2018. LUDO and its volunteers remain the advocates for Leeds United disabled supporters and fearless campaigners for the wider disabled community.

Chairs of LUDO

Stuart Ramm                                                                        1992 -1998
Nicky Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Leeds     1998 -2009
Stuart Ramm                                                                        2009 -2018
Andy Brown                                                                           2018 -2019
Stuart Ramm                                                                        2019 - current

LUDO Website

Level Playing Field Website - LUFC