Rio Ferdinand on Tyrone Mings and Leeds United.
(Credit: TNT Sports / Imago)
Dan Godfrey
Thu 13 March 2025 8:10, UK
Leeds United have not enjoyed the bright lights of Europe since the early 2000s, but should they earn promotion this season, the dream can reignite.
One club from whose book they can take a leaf is Aston Villa, who were promoted back to the top flight in 2019 and have since qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Many Leeds players from the past have often reminisced on the Whites’ glorious European nights both at Elland Road and across the continent, yearning for a return of the big-time again some day.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is on a mission for the Premier League (Credit: Imago)
Ferdinand recalls Leeds story in Europe
Rio Ferdinand is a player synonymous with Leeds United’s glory days, even if he tarnished his reputation by making the taboo move across the Pennines to Manchester United in 2002, pocketing the Whites a hefty sum in the process.
The former central defender was a key part of the side who during his first season reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, heading a crucial quarter-final goal against forgotten Spanish marvels Deportivo La Coruna.
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Speaking live on TNT Sports (12 March) after Aston Villa’s win over Club Brugge – which puts them in the last eight in their first European Cup campaign in over 40 years – Ferdinand had just had a conversation with Villa defender Tyrone Mings.
Despite Unai Emery’s side now not back on the pitch for 18 days when they face Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Mings claimed the squad remain fully focused and will not be celebrating prematurely.
Ferdinand questioned how times had moved on, reminiscing on how he and his Leeds teammates would be “straight on the town” to celebrate individual wins.
“When I was at Leeds all those years ago, a club that hadn’t been used to being in Europe and then had some amazing nights,” he smiled.
“We used to go out straight on the town after a game. What do they do to enjoy themselves?”
Leeds United fans
Leeds United fans dream of having the glory days back (Credit: Imago)
Daniel Farke doesn’t want any celebrations at Elland Road yet
The debate on premature celebration seems rife now compared to what it used to be, and Ferdinand is right when he says times have effectively moved on rapidly.
Celebrations of individual results now appear frowned upon, especially by the new social media crop of supporters, who have been referred to as the ‘celebration police’ in criticising teams and fellow fans for enjoying a good result ‘too much’.
Farke certainly wants no early celebrations or anyone getting carried away as Leeds continue their own task for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Paul Merson pointed out earlier this week that Leeds manager Farke looked uncomfortable with the degree of the celebrations in the aftermath of the 3-1 win at Sheffield United (24 February), while he was up in the stands serving a touchline ban.
Leeds United in Europe Competition Stage reached
1998-99 UEFA Cup Round two
1999-00 UEFA Cup Semi-finals
2000-01 Champions League Semi-finals
2001-02 UEFA Cup Round four
2002-03 UEFA Cup Round three
Leeds played in Europe for five straight years between 1998 and 2003
This can be fairly well understood given the Whites’ collapse at the end of last term, losing four of their last six to fall into the play-off places and suffer immense heartache at Wembley.
The shudder of reading those words can ensure every Leeds fan will have Farke’s back on that particular view, albeit with the 2-0 Championship win over Millwall on Wednesday night (12 March) certainly easing some pressure.
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