Leeds United fans have followed their club over land and sea for decades, but have seen television companies and rising ticket prices make it increasingly tough.
The Whites have packed up Elland Road this campaign so far as well as appearing in their hundreds all around the country, watching their side race to the top of the Championship.
Leeds’ longest away trip of the season has now been rescheduled for a Sunday lunchtime kick-off on Sky Sports and ITV when they travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth on March 9.
The decision was met with anticipated fan outrage, with Pompey fans also having to travel early for the opposite tie at Elland Road, which concluded 3-3 on the opening weekend (10 August), kicking off at 12:30 pm.
Portsmouth v Leeds United announcement is awful.
Graham Smyth has lambasted Sky and ITV for what looks to be a combined decision to reschedule Leeds’ match against Portsmouth to Sunday, March 9 at noon.
Pompey will play this early in a home match for the third time in 20 seasons, and the first time in front of their fans while simultaneously hosting a northern visitor.
Smyth took to X to express his displeasure on fans’ behalf, writing: “Football is for the fans. Do not be ridiculous and selfish, game lovers.
“Now get to Portsmouth for mid-morning on a Sunday and make an atmosphere so it sounds good on TV.”
The TV corporations have secured the match, with both teams poised to go down to the wire in their respective Championship ambitions.
Daniel Farke’s Whites are on a cutthroat promotion push for the Premier League, while Pompey, in their first season back in the second division, are hoping to stay there for the long term.
Leeds fans will continue to pack out the Fratton Park away end.
While Farke’s team will undoubtedly travel down to the South Coast on Saturday and stay in a nearby hotel – and some fans will do the same – many Leeds fans will be compelled to leave before morning.
To account for any road closures, coach departures for the match might leave Yorkshire as early as 3 a.m. It’s exactly what match-goers have come to expect.
The atmosphere will remain electric in one of the matchups the Championship has been clamouring for for a long time, despite the fact that the clubs are leagues apart, as TV corporations recognize.
