Leeds' quest for European glory in the Intertoto Cup got off to a stuttering start on a balmy mid-June evening last night against Hungarian part-timers FC Magyarstagg. The first sign that things would not go to plan for the white rose came in the form of the crowd, or lack of it. Only 8,967 supporters attended the game of which it was estimated that at least half had taken advantage of the 'kids under 35 get in for a quid' offer.
Chairman Ridsdale's excuse for the poor attendance, that many Leeds fans were on holiday, was backed up by hoteliers and guest house owners in Whitby, Filey and Scarborough who reported very busy conditions all week.
The holiday mood was further emphasised by referee Collina who, clearly miffed at having his break on the Adriatic coast cut short, carried out his duties in his Speedos.
The first half was chiefly notable for the booking of Harry Kewell for wearing a pair of pink surf shorts, somewhat hypocritical of the referee to my eyes but there you go. This incident also provided one of the few moments in the half when crowd noise drowned out the shouts of the players.
At half-time, with the score at 0-0 the tannoy announced an 'entertainment spectacular'. A large podium was placed in the centre circle and out came none other than Peter Ridsdale. Taking to the podium he began gyrating wildly to the strains of 'Marching on together' and started removing his suit. It was then that assistant Eddie Gray was seen moving through the crowd with an empty pint pot asking for contributions. Stewards raced on to the pitch but failed to get to the gyrating chairman before he had stripped down to what police later described as 'a thong with Peter Lorrimer's face on the front.'
Whilst being lead away by police and stewards the silver-haired supremo was heard to shout 'It's your fault we're bankrupt O'Leary!I'll bash your bollocks!' It was at this point that many in the crowd thought it prudent to leave.
The second half never had a hope of matching this excitement but it was no surprise when Lucas Radebe turned a Magyarstagg cross into his own net when under no pressure in the final minute. Those Leeds fans that still remained made a mass exit leaving the ground to the celebrating couple of FC Magyarstagg supporters in the directors' box. The return leg is in Hungary on June 26th when Leeds hope to have a few more players back from holiday and their chairman out of police custody."