Leeds captain Liam Cooper has discussed the best atmosphere he has ever experienced at Elland Road while answering fans’ questions on Leeds United’s official YouTube channel.
We all miss having fans inside stadiums, so it’s nice to reminisce about some of the best times we’ve had inside the grounds, and very few fanbases can compete with the atmosphere generated by the Leeds United faithful when Elland Road is rocking.
Leeds obviously missed out on the opportunity to experience promotion in front of their own fans due to the restrictions in place.
Therefore, Cooper has had to name a game from the 2018/19 season as the best atmosphere he ever experienced.
“It’s easier to talk about now that we’ve been promoted, but it was definitely the home leg against Derby in the semi-finals of the playoffs,” Cooper said.
“I’ve never heard it like that. I’ve been inside Elland Road a few times where it’s proper bouncing, but that night with the scarves and Marching on Together was playing, I had to pinch myself, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, you get goosebumps.
“I don’t know, it’s just one of them moments you don’t get too much in your career, I’ve never had it like that, but yeah you have to pinch yourself. That’s the best atmosphere I’ve played in at Elland Road.”
As painful as that night against Derby must have been for Leeds fans, it’s hard to disagree with Cooper here.
Leeds were on the verge of a trip to Wembley after their first-leg win, and Elland Road was filled with anticipation for the final home game of the season.
Every fan had a free scarf on their seat, leading to some incredible visuals before the match, and to make things even better, Leeds went 1-0 up through Stuart Dallas, which led to one of the biggest eruptions that ground is ever likely to see.
We all know what happened next, a calamitous display from Kiko Casilla and a red card for Gaetano Berardi led to Derby pulling Leeds to pieces and the 4-2 loss on the night consigned the Whites to another season in the Championship.
As Cooper says, it’s easy to look back with hindsight and appreciate that evening now that Leeds have been promoted, but at the time it must have been hard to swallow.
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