Leeds United will play Western Sydney Wanderers on July 20 2019 at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney.
Harold, my late free spirit of almost 36 years, would have loved to watch them play. He was a Leeds United supporter all his life. Prior to his untimely death of cancer, in late September 2011, Leeds United sent out a flag signed by all the team players. It was a lovely gesture and I had it framed.
Harold was born in Castleford, and went on to play goal keeper for Fyston Colliery Welfare at Ferry Fryston, Castleford. He was the team’s legendary goal keeper and was known as Archie Ward, not Harold in his playing days.
On May 22 1963, a group of men from Fryston Colliery Welfare went in against the much- vaunted Bradford team, Thackery AFC to win the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup .
I was honoured to attend the 50th Anniversary of this occasion on May 25 2013 at Fryston Welfare Club, Yorkshire. The original trophy was located for the celebrations. Professor Dave Waddington, son of the team captain, Peter Waddington, released his book “Coal, Goals and Ashes” to celebrate the team’s achievement.
Harold had a recognisable Yorkshire accent, which he kept all his life. I remember being on Green Island (off Cairns) in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland in possibly the mid- 1990’s. A British Naval destroyer had stopped en route to Sydney for naval exercises. The sailors were brought in by tender to Green Island.
Harold, always the character, went to the end of the wharf. And in loud voice (so he told me) called out “are there any Yorkies here? Follow me to the pub lads.” I was decamped to the beach with some American ladies for some time!
And so on July 20 2019, The Western Sydney Wanderers fans will experience one of the loudest fan groups in the football world. It was reported recently in the Daily Telegraph that some Leeds United fans will travel to Sydney for the match. They have much to celebrate – a team on the rise in this their centenary year.
When I attended an Arsenal match at Highbury, London in November 30 1974 ( Arsenal 2 – Middlesborough 0) and again on February 1 1975 ( Arsenal 2-Liverpool 0 ), I was both amazed at the atmosphere and the wonderful skills of the players. I was hooked.
May the match on July 20 2019 be a great game of skill, and played with the backdrop of a great atmosphere.
Anne Field
Kogarah, Sydney July 12,2019
July 12 2019
Postscript
On Saturday night July 20 a friend and I attended the match . We sat behind the goal posts in section 207 aisle 207 row 20-my seat was seat 27. Harold would have been impressed that i wore a Leeds United scarf and sat behind the goalposts.
Bankwest Stadium is a lovely stadium. We were impressed.
Leeds United and Western Sydney Wanderers fought out a lively entertaining battle. The final score was 2-1 in front of a crowd of 24,419 people.
The Leeds coach Markus Babbel sat on a box on the sideline as he is known to do.
The Leeds fans lived up to their noisey reputation . (we sat with the Leeds fans) At half time some of the Leeds fans went downstairs and sang Leeds songs and waved their scarves- the Police were standing by observing the scene, something that they would never have seen before. Great Club loyalty.
It was a great atmosphere. The lads from Leeds would have had a great time playing here in Australia. Hopefully ,they will have a great season in this their Centenary year as a Football Club.
Goal Scorers Mateusz Bogusz -Leeds
Pablo Hernandez – Leeds
Kwame Yeboah Western Sydney Wanderers
July 20 2019 
