West Ham United's early leavers were not the only ones forced to watch Leeds United's FA Cup penalty shootout win through unconventional means.
The Hammers were 2-0 down and heading for a miserable cup exit when thousands of their supporters made for the London Stadium exits on Sunday afternoon. But a stirring comeback in time added on prompted some of the departees to attempt to get back in. Images of those who were denied re-entry, including a group who gathered around a phone to watch it together at the stadium's doors, quickly went viral.
Ex-Leeds player Stuart Dallas found himself in a not-entirely-dissimilar predicament. "I was actually in Barcelona with the kids," he said. "I didn't get to watch the game because I was out doing bits and pieces with the kids. There was a casino next to where we were staying and we were going for food but there was no TV in the bar or in the restaurant. But we could watch the game through the window of the casino. So we were stood outside, because the kids couldn't go in, watching the penalties. I have some videos on my phone of the kids cheering when Pascal scores the winner."
As a Leeds-based former player who works for the club in media and ambassadorial roles, and whose kids are now supporters, Dallas remains heavily invested in all things Elland Road. He counts a significant number of the club's current squad as former team-mates and was quick to reach out to offer congratulations and his perspective.
"It's absolutely incredible that they are where they are at this stage of season, semi-final of an FA Cup," he said. "And I've been in contact with a few of the players, a few of the staff, to say, 'Listen, don't underestimate how much it means to the football club and to the people of Leeds,' because this is fantastic, to be in with a chance of winning it. Obviously relegation, the battle's still there, and you know, the priority is to avoid that and be safe. I think if you said now you'd be safe and losing the semi-final, a lot of people would probably take it, but to be in with a fighting chance - and they're more than capable, more than capable of doing both. I'm very, very positive that they'll get the points they need to survive."
Dallas knows first hand what it means to be held high in the esteem of Leeds United fans and for Daniel Farke's current players there's an opportunity in front of them to be remembered forever in the city. Speaking at the opening of his new Optimum Padel centre in Leeds, the Northern Ireland international said: "I have people coming down here to this padel center that have memories of me playing and achieving promotion with Leeds, which is fantastic. But what this group of players have done and the management too over the last season, gaining promotion, being in a position to stay in the league and with a chance to go to an FA Cup final, it's unbelievable. And the fans remember that. Hopefully the players can give the fans something special. Wouldn't it be sensational if we were standing here at the end of the season having survived and possibly won an FA Cup? That would be absolutely incredible."
Dallas was joined at the launch of his new facility in Cross Green by former Leeds team-mates Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Kalvin Phillips. Members of the current squad, including Willy Gnonto, Illan Meslier, Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk, Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff also made appearances.
"I'm very appreciative of them showing support," he said. "I know some of them play, obviously it's not an ideal time of the season for that and they'll just be coming down to see the facility. Hopefully in the summer we can get a few more of the boys down and enjoying the environment."
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