To anyone outside of Leeds United the idea of a stand being opened for a game will seem standard, but inside Leeds United we know the situation, and the ghost stand of the upper east being open on a Tuesday night for a league game is simply wonderful.
Until last season the upper east was rarely open. Big cup games and the promotion game against Bristol Rovers stand out on their own as the crowds at Elland Road dwindled as the Premier League drifted into history rather than possibility. Last season things began to change. Massimo Cellino’s appointment of Garry Monk coupled with some brilliant form saw the upper east open most weeks at the back-end of the campaign, even if it wasn’t always full.
Tonight it certainly won’t be full but it’s open, a huge moment for the club and the fans. The last time a midweek league game saw the upper east open was over a decade ago, and tonight when you look up at the vast blue sea of seats you will see faces in the highest seats supporting the side. Leeds United are back on the map, we were last season and it seems to be snowballing this season under the new and impressive ownership of Andrea Radrizzani.