“we’re gonna stay with you for ever;
at least until the world stops going round”
– Leeds United anthem

It has been a long season. I remember well the first home match for Leeds United way back in August.
A fantastic afternoon of released anticipation, excitement and high hopes for the campaign ahead.
But after that I remember nothing. Because now I am south of the equator in Kenya. I left home after
that first home match (the timing is not a coincidence) to cycle around the world. I have missed all the
highs and lows and real lows of the last 9 months at Leeds United, only occasionally catching up with the
news on the Internet.
Yet despite missing the action Leeds have still been prominent in my life this year. Pedalling through
Africa I never know (nor need to know) what day it is, except on Saturdays. Saturday is the only day of
the week I remember (this is useful as Saturday is now the day I take my weekly malaria pill). On
Saturdays I fill the long, hard hours in the saddle wondering how Leeds are getting on, wondering who is
in the team today (I hope Smithy’s playing…), wondering about injuries, suspensions and league
positions etc.
These Saturday daydreams focus my world, whisk me away from Africa for a while and help spur me
on down the endless road. So thank you Leeds: I’mm half a world away now, but Saturday is still the
beautiful day.