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Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons. In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play. And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it. "There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage, " Sarver Coombs said. "An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window. "I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do. "When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that. "My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that. " A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs. .. It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'. But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too. "There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us, " Sarver Coombs explains. "Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am. " As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club? "You always go through these cycles when the game is changing, " Sarver Coombs said. "Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens. "People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward. " Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club. And check out those from other Premier League teams over here Leeds have unveiled their third kit for the upcoming season. The club say the shirt is inspired by the "cherished Elland Road ritual" of swirling scarves on a matchday. They describe the blue and yellow abstract patterns as an "iconic tribute" to thousands of scarves swirling in unison. Are you a fan? Choose below. This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Leeds United. Here is a selection of your submissions: Brett: Our family originated in Leeds and has been in Australia for 140 years. We were a successful football-playing family with four members playing for Australia, but Leeds winning the 1972 FA Cup on our black-and-white TV was my biggest early memory. The goalscorer in 1972, Allan Clarke, made a guest appearance at Townsville in 1981 giving the 18 year old winger I was back then some great confidence-building advice. We've been to Elland Road four times and watched Leeds play in Sydney on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. Through the ups and downs we go and continue Marching on Together. Sarah: I was at primary school with Billy Bremner's daughter in Crossgates. Billy used to take us horse riding on a Sunday morning and I often went to his house after. Always remember him as a lovely man and a lovely family. Loved Leeds United ever since , even though I find supporting them quite stressful! Eric: Three work-mates down Wembley way. Send us your pictures and stories here Jonathan Buchan BBC Radio Leeds sports editor 1995 was my first trip to Elland Road. My grandad Denis had been a season ticket holder for many years but ill health meant he could no longer go to games. As a result I then forced my dad, who is not a football fan, to take me and my mate on the half-mile or so walk down from our home in Wortley to the stadium. Personally, I owe a lot to that trip - a lifelong passion, friendships lasting decades. .. oh, and my entire career. After a couple of campaigns of match-by-match attendance, the holy grail of a season ticket was finally affordable. Away games, on the other hand, were a distant dream and would not become a reality for years. Listening to the away games on BBC Radio Leeds ultimately resulted in me ending up in the role I find myself in today. The craft of commentators such as Ian Dennis (now of BBC Radio 5 Live) bringing the action into my house from hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away bred a love for radio that still exists to this day. It is a huge privilege to be part of the team doing that for supporters today. Not one I ever take for granted. Not only covering the games for those fans who cannot be there, but holding the club to account is something we all take pride in. Jonathan with daughter Cleo at Elland Road So, 30 years on from that first trip - a trip I have now made with my daughter and will do with my son - the journey to Elland Road is still my favourite to make. It is a journey that links generations. Telling my five-year-old about her great-grandad while walking through the Lowfields tunnel was an emotional one. Dad still is not a 'football fan', and has not stepped foot inside Elland Road since those early days, but he knows about all the ups and downs of Leeds United's fortunes - more so than he would like to admit! Join the conversation and tell your story about why you love Leeds Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18: 00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10, 000 times. After only happening once in Premier League history beforehand, and not since 1997-98, all three promoted teams have gone straight back down in each of the past two seasons. Unsurprisingly then, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are ranked as the likeliest trio to be relegated by the Supercomputer's model next year - with the Black Cats the only team notto win the title in any of the supercomputer's 10, 000 simulations. Championship play-off winners Sunderland are also relegated the most often of all 20 teams, going down in 66. 4% of simulations. Their fellow Premier League newboys are actually deemed to survive slightly more often than not, with Daniel Farke's side going down in 48. 1% of sims, while Scott Parker's Clarets doing so in 45. 9%. As for Wolves, they had a dismal start to last season but improved significantly once Vitor Pereira arrived. Losing Matheus Cunha is a big blow however, and the Old Gold are fourth favourites to go down according to the supercomputer - doing so in 26. 4% of sims. Similarly, Graham Potter's West Ham have sold a key player this summer after Mohammed Kudus switched to Tottenham. Potter will back himself to get a better tune out of his side after his first pre-season with them, but West Ham are still relegated in 22% of simulations. Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external We asked for your thoughts on what Leeds' midfield should look like next season. Here's what you said: Richard: Tanaka was one our best players last season. He should definitely have a place. Longstaff is also a must. The other two should be subs initially, but changing after 60 mins plus, depending on the game. But all the players are good to mix and match in midfield positions! I think Tanaka, Bogle and Willy Gnonto played a fantastic three against Manchester United. Jay: Stach, Tanaka, Ampadu. Simple solution. John: I was at the game and I thought Aaronson played really well against Villarreal. I know he has his doubters but he gives it his all every game and I think over last season he's really improved. For me, he is a known factor and worth a starting berth. Mark: With the focus on midfield and defence in the recruitment so far, determining the midfield starters is challenging. The friendlies have not really cleared that up. Ampadu has looked really solid. Tanaka and Aaronson have both taken their opportunities and looked good. The jury is still out for me in terms of the new boys, and how they can be blended into a starting formation. The Everton game will be revealing. We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Leeds United and some of your favourite moments supporting them. Here are some of your submissions: Brian: Dad first took me to Elland Road in 1962. I saw the return of the great John Charles and a 50-year-old Stan Matthews. I was hooked for the next 42 years. I saw every final and went to many European away games. One Friday, Dad came home with a wooden box with the FA Cup in. It stayed at home all weekend and we took it to the pub for photos with Gary Sprake. Dad took it back on Monday morning! Can you imagine that happening now? Sandra: I started supporting Leeds as a child in the 1970s. My dad supported Leeds and even though we lived in Lincolnshire, which is miles away, it was the only team I ever considered supporting. My first match was a friendly at Belle Vue against Doncaster Rovers. My dad didn't drive so we were never going to make it to Leeds. After starting comprehensive school, a friend and her dad invited me to Elland Road. What a thrill! I can't remember who we played or even if we won, but it was amazing. My favourite players were Allan Clarke, Peter Lorimer, Billy Bremner, the Gray brothers, Paul Reaney, Gordon Mc Queen, Tony Currie. .. the whole team! I would follow the team in Match Magazine. After sixth form, I started my nurse training in Scarborough, but why didn't I go to Leeds? Shift work and no TV made it harder to follow them and I lapsed for a while, but the passion remained and, following the long road back to the Premier League, I was able to watch them again on Match of the Day. I still haven't returned to Elland Road, but it is on my bucket list. If anyone wants to take a young lady, I'd love to go! A vintage 70s scarf and last season's third strip awaits the opportunity. Howard: I was first taken to Elland Road as a nine-year-old in February 1974. Leeds beat Arsenal 3-1 with two goals from Joe Jordan, I think. I was hooked and I knew I would always be Leeds from that day forward. I've seen us lose a League Cup final and two play-off finals, but I have also been there to see a first division league title, a Championship title and of course the Covid title under Marcelo "The God" Bielsa. Forever Leeds. I now go to games with my daughter Josie. Send your pictures and stories here Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix spoke to the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast about Leeds' midfield: "If we play 4-3-3, it will be interesting to see who will play in that midfield. Ampadu looked good [against Villarreal] and usually plays every minute and I think Farke will want that back six to become quite fixed. "Those other two places [are up for grabs] - Longstaff wants to play, have Stach and Tanaka got to play? Gruev has played loads this pre-season and it's looking like he is not getting sold. It will be really interesting to see who starts against Everton. "I think something like Longstaff, Stach and Ampadu will play in the difficult games, and something like Ampadu, Stach and Tanaka or maybe even Aaaronson will play in the games that we think we might win. " What do you think the midfield will look like? Tell us Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist 'Why did you fall in love with your club? ' This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers. Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter. The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team. But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do? "A lot of it comes down to our identity, " researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport. "We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship. "In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger. " Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link. Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen. "The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it, " Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition. "It's handed down from generation to generation. " The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating. An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'. "With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming, " Sarver Coombs added. "Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part. "But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement. " Share your story in our My Club My Passion campaign This video can not be played Daniel Farke has been outgoing in stating Leeds lack some quality in attack as they prepare for the Premier League. BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Simon Rix of the Kaiser Chiefs pondered Farke's comments on the latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet. Was he trying to "make a point"? Or was he genuinely concerned? Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds Episode 166 of our Leeds United podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is available to listen to right now via the BBC Sounds app. Leeds boss Daniel Farke said over the weekend that his side are not ready on an attacking front to compete in the Premier League, and they need more signings. Jonny Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix analyse the German's comments. You can find that episode, and all our Leeds United content by searching for Leeds United on BBC Sounds and hitting the subscribe button. Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds We asked for your views on how Leeds' squad is shaping up after the Whites continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal at Elland Road. Here are some of your comments: Andy: A little nervous, if I'm honest. We have secured some good players but still need a different level of attacking quality and some better full-back cover. Kumayl: Bit of a boring game but one that shows we desperately need a 10 to change the game and link the midfield with the attack, and a nine who we can rely on. I think Piroe would make a great back-up centre-forward and would be a good impact sub. Mobbsy: I was lucky to have made the near six-hour round trip to watch the Whites under blue Yorkshire skies. It is just wonderful being back at the top table. The defence looked great even without Jayden Bogle but we missed DJ's pace. Joel looks hungry but Willy cannot give the ball away as many times as he did yesterday. The club have backed Daniel Farke and the squad is looking good but we just need a new strong number nine. Not a Leeds fan? Find and follow your club here Clive: Not a bad performance but we still need that number 10 to deliver that killer pass and the forward to put it away. Jeff: Truth is - nobody knows. We might be in the top six - we might be fighting relegation. But, at least we've learned from past mistakes as Marcelo Bielsa wasn't backed at all. Farke seems to know what he's doing. Good luck to all. Adrian: The side is coming together but we need to take the plunge and sign Harvey Elliot and Rodrigo Muniz. If we do, I think we would have no relegation worries and would stand a chance of finishing in the top 10. We need to back Farke as Biesla never got the funds he needed. We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Leeds and some of your favourite moments supporting them. Here are some of your submissions: John: I've been a Leeds fan for 40 years now. There is nothing quite like hearing 'Marching on Together' at a packed Elland Road. I'm blessed to be able to spend matchdays, both home and away, with my three boys. I was hooked the second I walked into the ground and I've never looked back. I've watched us through some very special times, from four promotions to a league title, and of course some horrific times. I have faith we will be a strong side in the top-flight again and I'll be there every step of the way with my boys in The Kop. Michael: My dad was one of 15 kids from Kirkstall, so being a Leeds fan was never in doubt. I'm 70 years old now and I'm still a passionate lifelong Leeds supporter. I've got so many magical memories at Elland Road, but last season I took my 13-year-old grandson there, after he had previously shown no interest. As we walked into a full capacity ground, he said: "Wow, where have they all come from? " and he was speechless, which is unusual, as he never stops talking. He was hooked from that day on and he now has an Elland Road sign on his bedroom door. He is a mad, passionate Leeds fan like his grandad. Bless him. Anna: Like many little girls in the 1970s, I watched on as my big brother played football, followed the 'big' team and even got given the shirt. He lost interest - I didn't. I stayed a Leeds fan for life, through all the ups and the many downs. I'm pretty sure it's made me who I am, as a woman and a writer. I'm not sure I want the world to know about my teen fan fiction in this picture though! Send your pictures and stories here Leeds boss Daniel Farke says the club needs to "add some quality" to their attacking options in order to be competitive in the Premier League. Lukas Nmecha has been the only attacking option the Whites have brought in so far this summer, while Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford are set to leave and Manor Solomon - who spent last season on loan from Tottenham - has an uncertain future. "We are not naive, " Farke said after Saturday's 1-1 pre-season draw against Villarreal. "We know that even in comparison to our Championship offence you could say that we are not much improved. "We know in the offence we are not ready for Premier League level. We've proven we can be ready for one game and for that I am not too concerned at the moment as it stands. "I know especially with the offence, in the last bit you can add some quality. Of course as a manager you want all the players available on the first day of pre-season and to have training sessions with them because they need to adapt to the group and the principles. "The shorter the time is to the first game the more difficult it is to integrate them and make them fully ready and up to speed. "For that we still have time. We know we need additions to that. I also know we all together and our key people who are responsible for spending the money are trying everything to make these additions as quick as possible. "We are two weeks away from the first game. I can't guarantee that for the first game everything is really ready and we are fully equipped. "We definitely have to make sure that latest after the first international break we have really a competitive squad for the Premier League. "We are not anxious but fully aware we need to do something. " Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds Joel Piroe speaks to BBC Radio Leeds after he scored in the 1-1 friendly draw with Villarreal: "That feels really nice. It would have been a bit better if we had won the game but in the same time I think it was a good game to get ready. "You feel it is getting better, that everyone is getting sharper. You feel the team as a whole has stepped up a bit as well. "You want to win every game but at the same time you know it is not realistic. As a group we had to learn if you won't win, don't lose. I think that will be something really important in the season as well for us. " Leeds have been linked with the likes of Everton's Beto and Fulham's Rodrigo Muiz and on the prospect of the club buying a forward he would compete against Piroe added: "I have said before, in the Premier League at big clubs you always face competition. So if it's a new signing or someone from the academy there will always be a battle for players. You just have to influence what you can influence yourself. For me it is keep playing well and scoring goals. For me that is how I want to keep my spot. Everyone wants to be part of the group and it means they are fighting for their spot. " Listen to Piroe here Were you at the game? How do you feel about the season to come? Jonny Buchan BBC Radio Leeds The 1-1 draw against Villarreal wasn't the most thrilling of games to get the Elland Road crowd enthralled ahead of the slog of the Premier League. There were four home debuts for the thirty five thousand plus in attendance to keep an eye on from the start with full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, midfielders Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, and forward Lukas Nmecha all selected by Daniel Farke. Stach and Longstaff offered glimmers of quality, with the Swedish defender Gudmundsson proving he will be an attacking option over the next 10 months. Birthday boy Joel Piroe scored the whites only goal, and when reporters spoke to last season's Championship golden boot winner afterwards he explained he is more than happy to fight for his place in the side with likely competition arriving in the coming weeks. There were some notable absentees from the matchday squad, which at this time of year always causes a ripple of concern through the Elland Road stands. Dan James and Jayden Bogle were the most concerning but Farke confirmed injuries to both. Injury for new goalkeeper Lucas Perri meant he missed out and the same was said for winger Jack Harrison, who only a fortnight ago was challenged by the boss to win the fans' trust back. With just over a fortnight to go until Everton come to West Yorkshire it is fair to say attacking reinforcements are vitally needed, with Farke stating as much. That is also shown by the fact that almost the biggest roar of the day was of course for 16-year-old Harry Gray. He will be hoping to have some Premier League involvement next season, maybe even against his brother when Leeds face Spurs in just over two months' time. On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Leeds and some of your favourite moments supporting them. You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Andy: One of the youngest of many cousins, born in Hull 1971 but my dad was not a big footy fan. Most of the cousins supported Liverpool. If I was a good boy on holiday in Scarborough, I would get the Leeds kit and my dad now follows Leeds because of me. I am now a season ticket holder but am lucky enough to have been to Madrid, Valencia, Stockport and Leyton Orient. So join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love Leeds. Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip? Send us your pictures and stories Tom Mc Coy BBC Sport journalist Newcastle are the latest club linked with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, who is also being linked with Leeds and Atalanta. The 24-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting spot at Craven Cottage, often playing second fiddle to Raul Jimenez over the past two seasons. But he has attracted attention from potential suitors by making the most of limited opportunities. The Brazilian opened his Premier League account in a 2-2 draw at Burnley in February 2024, the first of 17 top-flight goals in the space of 16 months. During this time he averages a goal every 128 minutes, the sixth best record in the competition. The only players to post better figures are Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah – arguably the league's three best forwards – plus Jhon Duran and Richarlison, both of whom mainly profited as impact substitutes. Follow your club's page and sign up for news alerts Muniz has proved himself a clinical finisher over this period, outperforming his expected goals tally by 3. 46, while also excelling in the air. Though hardly a giant at 6ft 1in, he has won an average of five aerial duels per 90 minutes since February 2024, the fourth best record of any players to appear regularly in the top flight. Leeds have repeatedly targeted tall players this summer and Muniz's physicality could be a real asset to the newly promoted side. Winning a starting role at Newcastle or Atalanta may prove more challenging, but those clubs could offer the enticing prospect of Champions League football. However, Fulham have yet to sign an outfield player this summer and they may be reluctant to let Muniz move on without first having a replacement lined up. Jonathan Buchan BBC Radio Leeds Sports Editor Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is the latest addition to Leeds United's defensive ranks and joins a pretty full-looking goalkeeping department. Which means one thing. Someone will leave. The new man comes expecting to be first choice and with some billing. Back in February, his coach at Lyon, Paulo Fonseca, called the Brazilian 'the strongest goalkeeper in the world' after an impressive display against Marseille. At one stage, some might have felt that tag could, down the line, have been used for Illan Meslier. However he now looks the most obvious option to depart. Sadly, for the Frenchman statistics such as becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 10 Premier League clean sheets, have been outweighed by numerous monumental errors over the past 12 months. Regular listeners to our podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' will know I have long defended the 25-year-old. However, on episode 135 even my faith began to wobble following his display in the 3-3 draw at Hull. Daniel Farke's support, at that time, remained steadfast as it would be over two months before further errors against Swansea saw Karl Darlow given the nod at Kenilworth Road. The Welshman performed well when called upon, but he will surely now find himself back in the unique supporting role of a back-up stopper. Alex Cairns is the fourth currently on the books and, like Darlow is classed as a homegrown player. Add to that him being a local lad who isn't expecting to play and you have an ideal third choice. If Meslier is the one to seek pastures new I would add just one thing…a hefty sell-on clause…just in case! Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18: 00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds Simon Rix of the Kaiser Chiefs spoke about Leeds summer recruitment on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast. He reckons there are still a number of areas to address with a month of the window left: "So far, the business seems really good but it feels obvious where the gaps are. We - and the club - know where they are. "I think the most worrying area is cover for full-back. If either [Jayden] Bogle or [Gabriel] Gudmundsson get injured, it is Sam Byram in both places, which is a bit of a worry. Having someone else in that area, which is difficult to recruit for as a back-up, is something we need to happen. "We were sceptical about this being an inexperienced team attempting arguably the most difficult job in football. They seem to be landing the targets but not spending loads of money. " Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 29, wants a return to boyhood club Leeds United. (Football Insider), external Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport A new episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is available now on BBC Sounds. Jonny Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix discuss the arrival of new goalkeeper Lucas Perri and ask what it means for Illan Meslier. Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.