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Hi,

I am Alex Jussila, I am Finnish and my mom has brainwashed me to love Leeds United. That is true; how many Finnish boys do you know you have moved to Leeds just because of the football team, eh?

Or to be honest with you I am 25 % English. My grandfather was from Leeds, but he died in a car crash in Finland, and I have never seen him.

I can't remember how this started, but I think my lullaby has been Marching On Together or Glory Glory Leeds United. I am 11 now, a Season Ticket Holder and Member of Griffin Branch.

It was summer -99, when Leeds United visited Finland, in Oulu, and it was the first time I have seen them playing. We travelled hours and hours by train, but from every station there were more Leeds fans coming. It was cool. It was Tervarit Stars versus Leeds United and Leeds won 1-0.

I have to tell you this (my mom loves this story I know, but I am not too sure if she likes you all to know this though, but I am taking a risk):

When I was about 8 years of age, of course my mates followed ManU or Liverpool (They knew David Beckham and Liverpool has always been very popular in Finland), ok anyway, I went to ask my mother: "Mom, what would you say if I wanted to follow some other football club, for example Liverpool?" I was joking, of course. Mom looked at me and she said: "As long as you live in my house, NO WAY." That was the only time we have discussed of that matter.

Ian Harte is my favourite player, and as I like to be a goal keeper, of course I like Nigel Martyn very much too. I think it is absolutely fabulous to travel to different stadiums and see my team playing.

Football match is so different and the atmosphere, if in Finland there were more than 1500 people following the local team it was good, and it really was our Premier League! Here you are proud to show your colours and wearing your team's shirt, too.

I am attending to Morley High School and my history teacher also follows Leeds United. It is very different to live here and go to school here. In Finland we don't wear School Uniforms and here it is raining too much. I like my school and my best mates are Matt and Mark. History, Maths and Science are my favourite subjects.

I play lots of computer games and PS games. Age of Empire is the best PC game and for PS, my opinion is that Final Fantasy (I have IV, VII, VIII and IX) is the greatest. When I grow up I would like to work for a company which creates games. I like reading, and Harry Potters and Horrible Histories and Murderous Maths are good. The best English food is Fish & Chips and then of course a proper Sunday Dinner with Yorkshire Puddings and all.

Last spring I attended to Playing For Success at Elland Road, and when we had this Presentation Evening I was awarded a nice prize, tickets to football match (Leeds-Villa) and a cool trophy, and the best thing was that Rio Ferdinand was there. Then once I went to Mc Donalds with Alan Smith, it was again a prize.

I am a lucky lad. And proud to be here and follow Leeds United.