|
Here is our story (Jane telling)
I started going to watch Leeds on a regular basis the season before they won the old first division title. I was 18 and was in regular work so bought myself a season ticket (with family help).
I used to sit in the North East corner. Everyone was really friendly around me and I would always see this one guy, probably a couple of years older than me in my stand. He would also say hello to me. I didn't even know his name but somehow I knew I would get to know him, just a feeling I suppose.
At this time I was in Fullerton Branch. This seemed to be the first door into supporters club membership if you don't know anyone in a branch. I used to attend meetings but they didn't really mix and were mainly men. I didn't go to any away games.
A friend of ours came round to our house one day. She was Diane Aspin, wife of ex Leeds player Neil, both of who we had known for a few years whilst he was at Leeds as she was a model and used to work with my mum from time to time and they got talking and my mum said she was a huge Leeds fan and followed them through the 60s right through to the early 80s when she could no longer afford it. She used to go with my late father and then when he died suddenly, an old friend of my grandfather's took over the season ticket and they carried on going for a few years.
Sorry, gone off the track. Anyway, I was telling Diane that I was in Fullerton and although I found out information about Leeds, felt very lonely. She said her friends Phil and Chris Beeton ran the Griffin Branch and the only way you could get in was through a recommendation, which is what happened.
Again, when I joined I felt alone at first but was befriended by some of the lady members, especially June Hirst and Eva Stephen and this gave me the encouragement to attend away matches. Although I got on with them really well, I still wanted company my own age. Anyway, we went to a pre season friendly at Port Vale, oh about 1992/93 season I think. It was my birthday and was excited as Neil played for Port Vale and I had hoped to see him. Unfortunately I left the coach too early and missed him so I was really upset by it. Some of the lads took me under their wing and took me for a drink as I looked miserable. I just starting talking to them and realised one of them was the guy I sat near at the ground.
After this, I started to go to more and more away games as I knew I would be safe with lads if there was any trouble. We were just all mates together, nothing more. As time went on, the group became smaller and good friendships developed, namely Dave Jennings, Graham Hickie, Paul Jennings (ex member), Ian Peel and Chris Oddy (my future husband). We also went to supporters club meetings and went for a few drinks afterwards (this is when it was held in the Golden Lion Hotel). This was just usually Graham, myself and Chris, plus a couple of others.
On Bonfire Night, 1994, Chris asked a few of us around for food and to see the fireworks. People then started to drift off home and there was only me and Chris left and we went to the fayre, near to his mum's house and then to the local pub. For the first time we had a really long conversation about life and stuff and then I started thinking this could develop.
A few days later I bumped into one of the other branch members near to where I work and we went out for lunch. He then asked me what was going on between us, I asked what he meant. He said it is pretty obvious you have feelings for each other. I didn't know what to say, was it true or was I just fooling myself?
By this time, Chris and I spoke regularly on the phone, mainly about football. I asked him what he felt for me and he said I didn't know. I was taking a big risk because if I was wrong I would be too embarrassed to attend meetings.
Within a few weeks we decided to make a go of a relationship - December 4th 1994. Dave Jennings said it was about time as he knew it would happen all along!
The relationship just felt right and comfortable, as if we had been waiting for each other. We got engaged a couple of years later and then started saving for the wedding which took place last year at the Queens Hotel in Leeds. Quite a few branch members were there, unfortunately Phil and Chris was on holiday (we had to get married out of season of course). Graham was one of Chris' ushers.
It was a wonderful day and just hope we can soon get the chance to watch Leeds on a regular basis (unfortunately wedding costs prevent this at the moment).
Jane and Chris
Wedding photos
|
|
