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Figure caption,FA Cup highlights: How Leeds United beat West Ham on penalties to reach Wembley
- Published26 minutes ago
Adam Pope has covered Leeds United for the city's BBC radio station for more than 20 years. Here he speaks to Whites fans to find out what being back in the FA Cup semi-finals means.
Almost 40 years without a semi-final appearance in the most prestigious of domestic cups is a footballing barren land. More so when the club that have trudged across it for nigh on four decades were responsible for an iconic moment in the cup's 1972 centenary edition.
Since Billy Bremner lifted the FA Cup, headlines around Leeds' association with the competition have been largely corrosive for the club's reputation.
The tone was set in the 1973 final, when second division Sunderland shocked Don Revie's side beneath Wembley's Twin Towers.
There have, of course, been positive times - the run to the 1987 semi-finals and, memorably, Simon Grayson's third-tier outfit beating Manchester United in their own backyard in 2010.
Otherwise it has been capitulation at Crawley, humiliation at Histon, submission at Sutton, harrowing against Hereford, no-show at Newport and wretched at Rochdale.
There are others too, and that is why being back at Wembley for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea matters.
"It's massive," says long-standing supporter Gareth from Morley. "I'm old-school. Never seen us in the final and only one semi-final.
"The FA Cup, for me, is the best club competition in the world. I can remember the '70s and '80s finals - the build-up on both channels. In the team hotel. The interviews. It was brilliant."
The cup is not Leeds' only concern as the season reaches its conclusion, as they continue their for survival in the Premier League.
"Forget survival v cup final," says Gareth. "Just do both. We need to get to remembering that football is about winning. Not taking part or surviving. Winning!"
Fellow fan Tony, who like Gareth is in his 50s, has a slightly different take.
"It's a weird one," he says. "I always want to win, but Premier League survival is all I think about."
With 40 points on the board, Leeds may already be safe. After facing Chelsea they welcome relegated Burnley to Elland Road on Friday.
"Sunday is a free hit," says Tony. "I'd take beating Burnley over beating Chelsea."
Pragmatism for some, then, but pomp for others.
Steve, from Kirkheaton, is travelling first class on the train to the semi-final - and plans to take his 90-year-old mum to the final if they make it.
"It'll be a great day out and we have a chance," he says. "Chelsea were shocking against Brighton."
How to follow the FA Cup semi-finals on the BBC
- Published2 days ago
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Figure caption,Elsewhere, Kate and her brother Will are making it a family affair with dad John.
"Getting to go to Wembley and see us play in a semi-final is just crazy," says Will, from Huddersfield.
"It's our first time going as a full family," adds Kate. "Unlike my dad, it's the first time my generation has had a chance to do it. It's really exciting. There's a real buzz about the club. I feel there's definitely an opportunity for us there."
John agrees Leeds have a "really good chance", but memories cast a long shadow he hopes this trip can banish.
"I can remember the debacle of the 1970 FA Cup final, when Chelsea took us to a replay and we had all that scrapping on the field, so to get one back on them would just be fantastic.
"It marks the return of the club to our former glory. It's brilliant for me as an old fella to see us back up challenging for silverware again."
Some fans will be heading to London to both create and watch sporting memories.
Adam, from Leeds, will see his son Josh run the London Marathon before heading to Wembley.
"I want to win it now, for sure," he says. "We're probably safe in the league so it would be mad not to."
Jack, from Rastrick, has flown in from the Middle East, where he is a member of the Dubai Whites. He is doing the London Marathon and Wembley double and will meet up with his dad Paul, who inspired him to pound the streets to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
"I was praying [the cup semi-final] was going to be on the Saturday so I didn't have to crawl there," he says. "But how often do you get the chance to do two things like this? I just had to do it."
Then there is Molly, who follows the Whites home and away with her dad.
"Hopefully this is just a rehearsal before the final," she says. "From Yeovil to cup semi-finals, that's why you do it."
And what does it mean to be there with her dad?
"So much," she says. "I could cry. I'm sure I will be... walking down Wembley Way with him."
